Fro-Yo, Hurricane, Panda, and The Mall

It started like this. Emily said she had never been to the mall. Okay. She's been to Karcher Mall, but can that really count as a mall? Yeah, I didn't think so either. So we decided to go.

It was also an ice cream day. You know when you have those days where all you want to do is sit down and eat ice cream? It wasn't that bad, but the need was certainly still there! And there's a place in Chubbuck, right next to the mall, where my momma and I would always go for momma-daughter dates, and I haven't been in years. But they made these amazing milkshakes, where you could get one medium shake and it would end up being like three and they were absolutely fantastic! And their ice cream cones were unique too, where they would have some kind of fun color wrapped around it with the ice cream swirl. I was pretty sure they were still open. So we set out.

We went to the ice cream place first. We drove right past the mall to get there, and as we drew near I began to worry about it being closed. How could it be though? It was an amazing place and one of Pocatello's finest restaurants (which, admittedly, isn't saying a ton). As we drive steadily closer, I can pick out the sign that says, "Sundae". In my head, I'm thinking, Sweet! Not only are they open, they have a deal going on!

Can you guys see what's going on here? You probably already figured it out. I hadn't. It wasn't until I pulled into the decrepit parking lot (which really should have clued me in before) and looked into the dusty windows and saw the stripped interior that I realized: They were closed. I turn to Emily. "They have a deal going on. I don't know what this is. This is the best place ever to get ice cream. They can't be closed!" I don't know if it were more shock or denial. I pulled the car around to get into the traffic again and that's when I saw it. The other side of the sign. Asking for a final offer on the building by Sunday. They had run out of "y"s for the other side.

So I was trying to figure out a way to recover from this devastating realization. And then I had it! My uncle had taken me out for frozen yogurt when I got here to Pocatello! And I knew where that is! It's right by the mall. So I convince poor Emily and we're off. Of course, I don't know Pocatello THAT well.

So we go to the mall's parking lot. There's Panda Express, Red Lobster, the movie theater (both of them) Allstate, Home Depot.  Where is this Kiwi Loco place?! It was right here last week! Maybe it was in the Kmart parking lot. So we go across the street (the parking lot here was worse than that closed ice cream place and Kmart was still luring unsuspecting victims into its claws!) where there's still no Kiwi Loco. We drive around for a few more minutes and now I'm really getting annoyed. Poor Emily. I really don't know why she still agrees to get in the car when she knows I'm going to be driving! I try to call my uncle. No answer. My aunt. No answer. It's time for drastic measures. So we go to Panda Express.

When I was thinking this beautiful plan through in my head, I was thinking about this time we had gone to get ice cream with my family and we couldn't decide where to go. So my dad pulled up to Dairy Queen and asked for directions to Arctic Circle or something. The woman on the headset inside was taken aback by his audacity, stuttered a moment, and said, very vehemently into the microphone, "NO!" Paused a moment, "But we would be happy to serve you here." Funniest thing ever! So I pulled into Panda planning on recreating this moment. Nope. Drive-through was WAYYYY too full. We were going inside.

We walked in and it was a lot less crowded. We walk up to the order area and one woman walks up to the counter.  "How can I help you ladies today?"

I give Emily a look. She has learned to beware the look. When it comes, she knows I'm up to no good. That's when I asked. "Hi! We were just looking for Kiwi Loco and we can't seem to find it. Would you be able to ask us for directions?"

Her face! Guys! This was almost better than the faces of that couple in Fred Meyer's parking lot! Then she recovers herself, and I can see her thinking. I could see the thoughts moving in her head and I was starting to wonder if we'd get the cold shoulder like we did in the drive through with my family. Instead, she waves over another girl.

"I'm sorry." She told us. "I just moved her about a month ago. I have no idea where Kiwi Loco is." She turns to the other employee. "Do you know where it is."

Then woman #2 starts thinking. And in comes Woman #3. "What's going on?" She asked, more curious than anything. #1 and #2 explain this situation to her. We definitely had everyone's attention now. We warranted three people to help with a question. Both #2 and #3 start talking at once, reasoning out directions together. The people behind us pitched in and after being thoroughly confuzzled for a few minutes, we finally figured it out. Who knew directions to frozen yogurt could be so complicated!? Or needed so many people!

We finally found the place (and I started freaking out because Pocatello also has a Costa Vista! YES!!!! I knew there was a good reason to come to Pocatello! We come out, loaded with frozen yogurt a few minutes later and go directly back to the mall, eating our yogurt and looking around. There was still a problem to fix. Emily needed  to see the mall!

We walk in and maybe it was the yogurt. Maybe it was the thrill of finally taking Emily to see the mall, maybe it was just happiness that we were finally done with that stupid ice cream trip that took up half the day, maybe it was the joy to eat frozen yogurt or ANYTHING not served at the school for that matter. Whatever it was, I totally freaked when I saw Maurices in the mall! I had been told there wasn't one and it was a total let down and then I saw this!!!! (P.S. Guess where Emily and my next adventure to the mall will be once I have money? =D)

We walk around, stroll through some of the stores, explore the awesome smells of Bath and Body Works, ignore the Halloween costume shop, and Emily put up with me pointing out different places in the mall that weren't there 6 years ago, where that old bookstore used to be, where I got my eighth grade dance dress, and other things that I happened to remember.

Then I saw it. A hurricane simulator. I gave Emily my look again. She returned it with one of her own then she said, "really?"

I just grinned wickedly and headed over. I always thought those things were stupid when I was growing up, but really? We had to do the whole mall thing. We had disposed of our trash from the frozen yogurt much earlier, but still, squeezing both of us in there was crazy! Then I turned it on.

Our hair started flying wildly, doing some crazy things and we could feel the wind pushing against us and threatening us. I don't even want to think how idiotic we must have looked to the people walking by since the door was see through and we were totally visible! I did remember to take a picture, but it was after the wind had started to calm down a bit.

This was how fast the wind was blowing when I finally remembered to take a picture.

After that, we were done. At least with the mall. We have plenty of other adventures to share!
 
Casey

P.S. Sorry it's been so long since the last post. We've both been caught up in midterm craziness and I was sick too. YAY! =P But everything's starting to calm down again..

I See This Life Like a Swinging Vine

Inspiration mixed with a healthy dose of craziness seem to regularly hit our room at about 10:30pm or later on weeknights. For instance, a couple of weeks ago Casey and I were studying late in the library. Casey had a bunch of reading to do for her classes, and I was in the process of freaking out about my first anatomy and physiology exam of the semester. It was the next morning! (terrifying! :-O )After I had reviewed my notes one last time and Casey was finished reading for the night, we decided to pack up and venture out of the library to head back up to our room.

By this time, I am pretty sure Casey knew I needed to blow off some of the stress I had been feeling  the past few days due to the exam. When we got back into the room she unpacked her laptop and went straight to Songza to blare her contemporary pop station. All of a sudden, I looked up just in time to see her give a saucy flip of her hair and flash an expression of pure inspiration across her face. Then, she just busted out with some crazy dance moves, right there in the middle of our dorm room! I couldn't just let her have all the fun, now could I? So after I got over the initial shock of my roommate doing some nerdy moves to contemporary pop, (we still didn't know each other extremely well at this point, so I was a bit surprised to see this side of her) I jumped out of my seat, did a twirl or two around the room, and joined in with her!

As Casey and I spun, flounced, jerked, and jumped around the room to Counting Stars, Roar, and other rad beats, the stress I felt melted away like butter on a hot pancake! Pretty soon our dancing became very ungraceful as we laughed hysterically at each others attempts to keep from tripping over our own feet. We kept this up for at least forty five minutes! Even when it got really hot in the room we didn't let it stop us! We just turned my fan on, opened up the window, and got back to being the weirdos that we are! Impromptu dance parties are just one of the many reasons I love my roommate. Housing could NOT have done a better job of finding me the perfect person to room with for my second year of college.

So the moral of the story is this: When you're feeling a lot of stress before a test, just crank up the music, grab your roommate by the arm, and dance your worries away! Casey and I were able to bond in new ways by opening our crazy sides up to each other, and guess what! I did really well on my exam. :) So everybody dance!!!!!!

~Emily

Every Princess Needs A Drawbridge

YAY! We have pictures to post for this one!

As mentioned in a our last blog, we had a spectacular idea to decorate our door. And it was a surprisingly complicated process. (And if you're wondering why Emily hasn't posted yet since we are supposed to switch off the posts, it's because she is a ridiculously busy individual.... and I have no life. You will be hearing from her soon though!)

Believe it or not, what was the one thing we forgot at all THREE stores we visited for our decorations? Yep! Tape. Oops. We both dug through our drawers and I found some of that good, weird-looking tape. Then we were ready. It's a little more difficult to explain though, so now I'll just bring in the pictures. The back of the door has a math-related back story. I will be back!

This is our door!!!!!
Quick Disclaimer: It is Emily's artistic talent that created this minions. The most I can say I contributed is the eyes, hair, and the poster. Her level of awesomeness is beyond the ability to express. =D

One of my personal favorite features, the Harry Potter minion. 

Another of our favorite features. The gentle reminder that we are beautiful princesses every time we come back to our room!

Looking back, we totally should have added our faces over theirs just so we could be cool. Emily is Ariel and/or Cinderella depending on her mood. And I am Rapunzel!

We have my uncle and his office to thank for  the epic-ness of this poster. He was able to print it out for us. Together, Emily and I had edited it. The quote says, "Too many people grow up. That's the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up. They forget."

Our door before we added the mini minions. It's also in better light than the next picture is even though it's not complete.

The finished front of the door!

So far, we were both liking our drawbridge. Of course, when we closed the door that night, it just looked depressing and totally LAME on the inside! We had mounted the mirror and all we had now was the mirror and the peephole. Really? After everything we had just gone through to awesome up the front door, all we had not was the mirror inside. Seriously?!

Emily and I looked at each other and she gave me her mischievous grin (Anyone who knows Emily well KNOWS this grin. And fears it), and I knew she had come up with something brilliant. "Let's make a big minion on the inside of the door!"

I thought for a second, studied the scraps of construction paper that littered the floor, and estimated just how much would be needed. I had everything planned out within seconds, looked back at Emily and said, "Okay!"

Her eyes widened. "Really? I was just kidding."

"Yep." (Looking back I'm noticing that once I get an idea in my head, nothing is going to get it to leave! Poor Emily.) I said, bobbing my head up and down in excitement, a movement that still can't quite be described as nodding. "We're going to do this!"

Once that was settled, we set the paper on the floor and tried to figure out how to get it from there to the door. With the mirror already up, we were going to have to work around that. We just stared at each other, totally clueless. Now what?

"We could just put the paper up and cut around it." Emily suggested.

I gave her a look (I don't actually know what the look expressed, but I HOPE it showed exasperation, because that' what I was aiming for). I didn't want to try taping up papers just to cut them out and have everything fall off because you just cut the tape off the paper and then having to try to tape it back up without messing up what you just cut out. Yeah. No thank you! But of course I was having trouble coming up with a better idea. Just as it started to look like we might just have to do something annoying and painful like that, I thought about math.

We're honors students. Which honors student would avoid doing math one week into school? ;)
So I sat down, measured the door, measured one of our finished minions, the mirror, and brought out some math, felt a little like a nerd, put Disney music on, and had Emily correct me more than once on my calculations. Then we had the dimensions for the minion mirror door and we began to lay the paper.

The beginning of something great! Can you see the measuring tape on the top and right side?

Emily, with her incredible artistic talent, drew and cut out the minion. I helped tape the pages together and then on the wall, and helped create the details like the eye and hair. It took a little while, but it was finally finished.

Unfortunately, the lighting is poor in these pictures too. In case you were curious, the first picture shows off my side of the room, and the second shows Emily's.

It was definitely a ton of work, but Oh. So. Worth. It! =D


Casey

The Adventure That Started It All!

After Emily moved in, I resolved to give her the same time to adjust back into the room that she had given me. Honestly, I think I might have been just a tiny, little bit intimidated by her. I don't know why, but I was. So I spent that weekend at my grandparent's house thirty minutes away.

As Sunday night drew to a close, I knew I was going to have to actually meet my roommate. I had spent only a few minutes with Emily on Saturday, after she moved in. I had attempted to help her unpack, which ended up being me forcing myself on her as she tried to put her things away and struggle to find me something to do. I hadn't wanted to annoy her, and the whole episode may have been what ended up really prompting me to spent the weekend away. Whatever it was, I was about to return to Owen #207.

When I walked into the room Monday morning, I discovered that she had already left, probably in her first class. Mine wasn't until 11, so I sat on my bed and tried to absorb the weirdness of having to share a room with someone. We fit in it surprisingly well. I was expecting cramped spaces, angry notes demanding the know where I had put something, my side of the room torn apart and searched, the horrible and dramatic embodiment of the Hollywood roommate. But it wasn't. I think that was the first time I began to think the whole roommate thing might not be as bad as the movies had led me to expect.

That night was back-to-school night that Fred Meyer put on. School supplies were going to be cheap, and I still needed a binder. When  Emily returned from her classes that night, I asked if she was thinking about going.

"Yeah, I still need to go pick up some things. I need a binder and some paper. I was going to take the bus." She said, referring to the shuttle bus the school had hired to take students back and forth between the store and campus. After talking for a few minutes and getting to know each other a little better, we agreed to go together on the bus.

We went to dinner together that night (the first night of a wonderful tradition), and on the way back, I had the brilliant(?) idea to take my car. After all, it would be quieter, we could get to know each other more, what could be better? It took me a few minutes to convince Emily, but then we were decided. We would take my car.

Then we had another brilliant(?) idea. We should decorate our door! YEAH! Why not!? That could be fun! Despicable Me and Disney Princesses.

The drive to the store that night was incredibly enjoyable. We listened to music, talked about our families, and just hung out. We got the things we needed at Freddy's. Binders, paper, construction paper, a mirror. But they had NOTHING princess related. SERIOUSLY!?!? Who does that?! Losers!

But I digress.

As we went to leave, well... Okay, before I say this, let me just point out that I have only been driving since graduation this year. I cannot claim to be the most adept at this magic called "driving". And it was at least 10:30, so it was dark outside, Okay. And I mean, yes I've driven in the dark before. I didn't get off work sometimes until 11:30 or midnight, so I did have some experience. I think it was just Emily throwing me off.

As we went to leave as we were making our way through the parking lot I realized, quite loudly, "OH! I need to turn my lights on!" Right in front of us was a couple (we were by this time in front of the doors of Freddy's) and they had stopped right in the middle of the road and were hugging or something. (Seriously!? Who DOES this?!) And that's when I decided to turn my lights on. However, decided might be too strong of a word. It was more like that's when my lights just happened to turn on, because I turned them on, because I just realized I needed them on. And I hadn't even recognized what it would mean if I turned my lights on right there. It kinda just... happened. oops. BUT THEIR FACES!!!!!! It was absolutely amazing! If I could do it again, would I? In a second just so I could see their faces again! Oh. My. Gosh! It was awesome! And Emily just looked at me and burst out laughing, and then I could barely drive after that couple had overcome their surprise enough to move out of the way because I was laughing so hard because Emily was laughing so hard. And every single time we attempted to leave the laughing behind, we'd look at each other and it would happen again. It was an... eventful ride home. Especially because I forgot to turn my lights back off when we got there. Oops! =D

We sat in our room for a few minutes and began to access our purchases. And we realized, we didn't have all the stuff to make our door pretty with.

"So now what?" Emily asked me.

And of course, I suggested the only thing that made sense. "Let's go to Albertsons!"

Emily gave me a look that can only be described as skepticism. It was warranted. I was wearing slippers. But her words didn't match. "This late?"

"Yeah! Why not?!" I looked at the clock again. It wasn't even 11 yet!

Her skepticism was replaced with anticipation and anxiety. "Okay." She said warily. "Let's go."

Of course, because, hey, it's my luck, I continue to have trouble with remembering to turn on and off my lights the rest of the night, leaving them on for a moment when we reached Albertsons until I remembered AFTER we had locked the doors, getting again halfway out of the parking lot before remembering my lights (but there were no weird couples there), and it was to continue. While we were at Albertsons, we found nothing, and decided to go to Walmart (even more anxiety from Emily. This time I understood. Who really actually WANTS to go to Walmart at 11 or 11:30 at night?! Ab-sol-freaking-nobody!). We needed to get the decorations for our door.

We were laughing constantly now, and enjoying every moment of our time together. I was even starting to overcome my roommate qualms and getting use to her. Even *GASP!* starting to LIKE her!

At Walmart, we were more excited about playing in the isles than actually finding what we were looking for and it was well past midnight before we reached our room again. But the fun had lasted all night, we had bonded, and we were so tired the door was left to wait for that weekend. But that is another math-involved story. =D

Casey

In the Beginning, The road to Roommate-dom

The thought of having a roommate scared me. I was determined to NOT have to deal with that drama. After all, what if she was scary, or a party-girl, or a snoop? What if she had no boundaries and went through all my stuff? What if we didn't like each other? And I definitely was not good with sharing a room! I haven't shared a room with anyone in years! It would be enough of a new experience just to leave home an go to college. Forget a roommate! It was with these thoughts, that I signed up for Rendezvous. After all, I was in the honors program. I was bound to get in!

A few weeks later, we had early registration at Idaho State. I walked through the doors to the student union building with my mom's final good-bye ringing in my ears. I walked onto campus alone and attempted to find where I was meant to be. After five minutes, I found myself in the Bengal theater where over one hundred other incoming prospective freshman sat, most with their parents, waiting to split up and register for classes. Within seemingly seconds, I was swept away with those other honors students, selecting my classes, and finalizing them in the ballroom. Inside, there were booths set up with computers which would allow each student to upload their classes, displays from some of the most prominent and important groups and departments on campus, and, of course, the refreshments. After I finished with the computer, I hunted down housing. They were sure to have a booth set up. And I was right. I sat in line for a few minutes, made it through to the front and was told, "Hi! You have a room in Redfield."

I could have cried. What was going on?! "I'm in thee honors program. Isn't Owen the next overflow area for the honors students?" I asked. For a moment the man I  was talking to looked confused, looked at the computer again, and looked back at me, his face still set in his weird, confused stare, but with some certainty in his eyes.

"Well. The housing has you in Redfield. But I'll put a note on our application about the honors program. I think you're right."

Fairly certain now that I would not be making it to Rendezvous, I was determined to see the dorm rooms. I set up a tour for the dorms, and called my parents. Five minutes before the tour was to begin, they hadn't shown and I was forced to go on the tour by myself and one other prospective student. When we reached the Owen/Redfield complex, where all the rooms are identical to the room I would be staying in, I couldn't believe it! This room was TINY! It was about the size of my room back home, and I had that one to myself! How could I be expected to share if i did end up having a roommate?!

I just hoped I made it through the waiting list for Rendezvous. There was no way I could handle it. Or at least get a single room. I could probably work with that.

As the weeks wore on, I thought little about my housing situation at ISU. I graduated, hang out with friends and family, got distracted with work, had some fun with Madisyn, and enjoyed my last summer of no responsibilities. Until THE Email. That brought me back to reality.

THE Email ruined everything back then. THE Email told me my roommate's name.............. was Emily Holcomb.

I was surprised. It sounded familiar. At the same time, I was sure I didn't know her. So, what did I do? Well... What would any self-respecting 18 year-old who is about to leave home and live with some random stranger do? That's right. I Facebook stalked her.

It didn't take me long. Within 30 minutes I knew the face and some of the interests of my roommate. She was Christian, an Honors Student, had a little sister, liked the outdoors, had already been to ISU, which would make her a returning student, and, well... Let's just say I am a phenomenal Facebook Stalker.

The last of my summer seemed to fly by. As the first week of school drew near, I decided to send an Email to this Emily and introduce myself. After all, she was not likely to be as skilled as myself at Facebook stalking. Her reply reinforced much of what I already discovered on y own, but it also added her major. Nursing. My mom went to school for nursing. Great. I'd have to listen to her nursing stories too. Now I was really excited to move in! On the bright side, I'd have a few days to myself before she actually made it in.

And soon that time was over. And SHE put her things in our room. I was nervous, I was anxious, and I was slightly dreading the experience. I will never get over how wrong I was.


Casey