Love and Haircuts

Some more pictures:

So during finals week this past semester I was really stressed out. I had work, tests, papers, life, mission, packing, plans, etc etc etc to worry about and I was going extremely crazy. One particular day I was really bummed out because I spent hours working on a paper that I had procrastinated (mostly because there were so many other things to get done!) and it was day before a day with no classes, so I should have been having fun. But instead I was working late. I got home and found this on my door:

I had been heart-attacked with loving support from my dear friends and former roommates, Melissa and Crystal. I was so happy. These girls are awesome. Everyone has been showing so much support and love to me. It means a lot that my family and friends, even those from high school, are so supportive of my decision to serve a mission. It makes going on a mission so much easier and doable because I know I have support at home. Sometimes, I feel like people are stroking my ego when they tell me I'll be a great missionary, and I secretly don't believe them. (I have a hard time with speaking, and as many of you know, this makes missionary work quite challenging.) But I trust that the Lord qualifies those whom He calls, and I am willing to do my part and work on my weaknesses.


Also, I got a haircut today. I cut it because I hate it when it touches my shoulders and rolls up into my neck. I had it cut a little bit shorter than I normally like it so that I wouldn't have to get it cut for a while. Just in case. Here are some pics:

Okay, time for a cute cat picture: Lily in the pants drawer

Open Farewell Letter

Dearest friends and associates:

Well, as many of you know, I am going to be a missionary in the Washington Kennewick Mission! I am reporting to the MTC on January 23, which is next Wednesday. I am so excited and happy to have the opportunity to serve the Lord as a missionary. You have all been so supportive of my decision to serve and very helpful as I have prepared for my mission, and I appreciate everything.

Whilst I am away, my dear sister, Laura, will manage my facebook account and will periodically check my email. My contact information is posted on facebook under the “about me” section. If you feel so inclined, I will appreciate any letters and will do my best to respond. My blog (sarsaparillan.blogspot.com) has been redesigned to provide updates on my mission for my friends and fans. My wonderful mother will post my letters and emails on my blog for your perusal.

Well, I suppose that is it! I will be back in July 2009 and ready to party. Until then, I wish you the best of luck with all of your endeavors.

Love,

Sister Smith

More Shopping

Here is some more shopping that I've gotten done! There are other unphotographed clothes, and I think I am pretty much done with shopping now. (Maybe I'll add them? I don't know; I feel a little silly.) There are a few more misc things that I need to get done...which is good, because I am very bored.

These were from Walmart. Thanks to Cassie for the tip! I found a lot of good things there. They had a good selection in blouses too, but they didn't really fit me very well. It is hard to find a brand that fits my body! I think the brands that fits me the best is apostrophe from Sears and White Stag from Walmart (blue shirt pictured). Also, yay for sweater vests! There were some good ones at Walmart (George brand). They were on sale, too. Not as cheap as the Missionary Mall (weird!) but still a pretty good deal.

White shirt and Missionary Mall sweater vests. I love the white shirt. Maybe I should get more short sleeves...

Tired after a long day of shopping...

The New Female Costume, Part 2

A continuation of an idea set forth in the late evening news organ.

I tried to go shopping for missionary clothes a few times while in Utah, assuming that they would have the best selection. I don't know why I felt such a rush--I was nervous, I wanted to get everything before I left, etc. Besides, who sells modest things in San Diego? Seriously.

Anyway. I got a thin black skirt, two sweater vests, and a nice wool winter coat in Provo. But a missionary needs much more that. Of course.

Mom and Loll and I hit the sales racks on Boxing Day. And we found a lot of things to buy: five skirts, two blazers, a sweater, and a white blouse. And shoes. (expensive! very, very expensive.) The best place to find clothes, I've discovered, is JC Penny's. They have a lot of professional wear (I sound like a commercial) that is very appropriate for missionaries. When I was checking out, the cashier said "Wow, I don't ever see anybody buy long skirts." Well, well. well. Sister Smith certainly buys long skirts.

Here pictures of my new gear:

Two blazers and winter coat.

Shirt and sweaters. I think I need to add more color to my wardrobe...

Skirts. Pretty, of course. Five of them. I have one more thin black one that falls off unless I pin it to my slip. Its because I don't have a butt, in case you were wondering.

My shoe. Made by Dansko. Very comfortable, and wonderful.

My sweater vests are somewhere in limbo between my Utah and San Diego homes, otherwise I'd post them because they are so beautiful.

g'night, ya'ol organ

"well, that smell got inter ther papers. ther evenin' organ was quite excited erbout it." -The OED (retained for Melissa's reading pleazhure)

Well, its time to say good night to the evening news organ. Now I'm quite new to the blogosphere, but According to Natalie's friend Carrie, a good blog MUST have a good theme--a hook, if you will. Something to unify it into a cohesive whole. (I would go on about this, but I think that's enough.) My two faithful blog readers have seen that the theme of this beautiful, fantastic blog centered around my job at the BYU library making an index of 19th century newspapers. I loved this job, but alas, it is over. No more. I quit.

Because, well, I'm going on a mission. To Kennewick, oh beautiful Kennewick.

I was awfully sad to leave my job, and consequently my sources and inspiration for this beautiful blog.

But I think I have a good reason.

Anyway. So this blog needs a new purpose. My darling roommates suggested just such a purpose: my mission. I am reporting on Jan 23, which is in less than one month. I have many friends and family and loved ones who (I hope) wish to follow my progress and keep in touch with me as I am gone. I will attempt to correspond faithfully with everyone who writes to me, but I can only promise consistent correspondence with my immediate family, and perhaps with my love. SO I will persuade my darling sister (or mother, or whoever is up to the task) to update this blog with my letters, emails, pictures, etc whilst I am gone.

Until my departure, I guess I will discuss my preparations and other things on my mind.

That is all.

Love,
Sister Smith

The Utah Expedition

“We trust the Saints will decide upon such a move, and thereby relieve us of the disagreeable duty of exterminating them. In Sonora they would have the opportunity to develop the beauties of their religion, and if it contains within itself the seeds of its own destruction—as we all believe it does—it will crumble to pieces and disappear, and will be numbered with the numerous false religions that have sprung up and had their day, and are now only known in history.”

The New York herald: NY-H no. 7770 (10 Dec 1857) p. 4, columns 4–5, 24 ½ col. in

I like this quote because I find it ironic. Several newspapers have made similar statements, all expressing the idea that Mormonism will fall a part, especially after the government is through with it. Some say that Mormons have a persecution complex, and this is true. But seriously, read this article! They wanted to exterminate a group of people! Of course the Mormons were antsy and anxious and feeling a little anti-American! I don't know what our excuse is now, tho. Maybe the remains of such sentiments.

World's First Deseret Book

World's first Deseret Book. Even then, there was a niche in the market for and LDS bookstore. And that was a long time ago...and even in England!

From London, 1857

“The Mormon book dealer, from accident, necessity or design, is like the Gentiles of the profession—in quiet retirement. At the corner of a quiet narrow street, and a still quieter and narrower crescent…the attention of the passer-by is arrested by a great display of busts, engravings, and books, set off in the best manner, to ensure at least a momentary examination. This is the “Latter Day Saints’ book depot,” in the city. The busts are representations of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the engravings are the twelve Apostles and the leading elders of the movement, for the adornment of the walls and mantles of the dwellings of the disciples. The books and pamphlets are of course for the edification of Jew and Gentiles, but here the Mormons display considerable tact. Books are not in this window arranged for the display of the binder’s taste and handicraft. Propagandism is the one aim of the Mormons, and here they displace some cunning in the manner they set about it. An open page with some startling vision the relation of some astounding miracle; an argument on the principles of faith, and, not the least attractive of all, something rich on polygamy. Can all be read at this window for nothing. By way of business, this is not a bad dodge, Once interested, the passerby is almost certain to turn in to get the work—the end of the story; at least I speak from experience."

The New York herald: NY-H no. 7764 (4 Dec 1857) p. 2, columns 5–6, 31 col. in.