February 21st

This day holds special meaning for two reasons.

1)Today is my beautiful mother's birthday. I love her. She helps me feel happy, calm, and loved. I've never doubted her love for me, nor have I doubted her love for the Savior. She lives her testimony every day. When she prays it's as if Heavenly Father is in the room and she's talking to Him face to face. My mom is one of my best friends. I just love being close to her or hearing her voice. And when she sings...it's as if for a small moment the entire world disappears and you're listening to the truest, most sincere angel. Seriously...she has a beautiful and tender soprano voice. I've always wanted to be like her, ever since I was young. People constantly tell me I'm a "mini Carla" in looks and actions...and that's one of the best compliments I can receive. She's beautiful inside and out and I'm extremely blessed to have her as my mother and friend.




2)I entered the MTC 3 years ago today. Yep, 3 years ago I said "Happy Birthday Mom...see you in a year and a half!" Great Birthday present, I know. :) My mission was the best decision I've ever made. I've never been happier than I was on my mission. Giving, serving, loving, relying on the Lord...such beautiful experiences and opportunities. The MTC was a bit of a struggle for me. I remember feeling inadequate and afraid I'd fall flat on my face as a missionary. My weaknesses were all brought to the surface in those three weeks of preparation. But, I began to gain a closer relationship with the Savior while there, forced to rely on Him rather than myself. It was the start to the greatest journey I've made. I miss the mission...still. One and a half years later and I still yearn to go back to the South. We have such beautiful brothers and sisters down there... And not to mention, some pretty tasty food. :)


Ah, February 21st. I love this day.

My Other Blog

I'm in a MultiMedia Video Journalism class...which means I get to make podcasts and news packages. I'm NOT experienced with this stuff...I'm much more comfortable at writing. But, the field I'm going into is extremely competitive, so I thought I should be well rounded and able to use all the equipment that goes along with Journalism...not just pen and paper.

If you want to see and listen to some of my very beginner videos and podcasts, you can find them here. I actually don't have the podcasts uploaded yet...but I will do that shortly. My news packages will continue to get better and better as the semester progresses...or so I hope. :)

Sleep

I'm tired of not getting any.

New Song

So...my roommate, Stella, is forcing me to audition for Guitars Unplugged. GU is something BYU-I puts on, sort of like a talent show, but just with music. I've never tried out before. Several people have encouraged me to, but for whatever reason I just haven't. Well, Stella won't take no for an answer. She even signed me up to audition! So, I have a date and time set. I guess since I'm already signed up I'll go for it. But the thought kind of scares me...on many levels. Oh well. You only live once right?

So, what does this song have to do with GU? Well, I'm trying to pick a song to sing. I just finished writing this song, and I think it might be my best option. Most people performing in GU do covers of other albums... I'll be doing my own song, so I want it to be one people will enjoy the first time they hear it. Let me know what you think. :) I don't have a title for it yet.

Oh...and sorry for the messy bed behind me. :)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I’m just looking for a home
Some place where I don’t have to be alone
I’m just searching for a little belonging
Some place where I can sing

Cuz I----
Don’t want to cry----Anymore
I don’t want to cry anymore

There was once upon a time
When I felt our hearts were combined
And I felt so close to you
I knew exactly what was true

But I----
All I do is cry----Anymore
Oh all I do is cry anymore

Please take these fears away from me
Is it true that you are near even when I can’t see?
Oh please stay with me

I’m running to your arms
Trying to get away from harm
I just want to be loved
Please tell me I’m enough

Cuz I----
I don’t want to cry----Anymore
No I don’t want to cry anymore

A look inside my mind

Me: I can't seem to force myself to stay on top of things in school.

Other Me: Why?

Me: Because I'm lazy. That's the only answer.

Other Me: Is it possible for you to stay away from laziness?

Me: Yes.

Other me: How do you know for sure?

Me: I served a mission for the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was not lazy during those 18 months.

Other Me: Well, why don't you just implement those mission tactics into your school routine?

Me: I don't know...I've asked myself that over and over again.

Other Me: Maybe it's because you don't like school as much as you like the Gospel.

Me: Probably...but that's kind of an excuse. It's true, the mission wasn't about me. It was the most selfless time in my life. Now, every thing's about me. It's annoying.

Other Me: Yeah, that's understandable.

Me: All I want to do is talk with friends, play my guitar and write songs. I really do like learning, but I just don't like applying what I learn.

Other Me: Is that really true?

Me: Ok, no. I do like the application. But for some reason I always put off the application, and then it turns into a nightmare instead of something fun.

Other Me: Well, you know you can fix it. So just fix it.

Me: Whatever.

If this post scares you...just imagine how I feel...

God's family

Sometimes I get homesick for my Heavenly home. My mission, along with the temple, were/are the only times my heart feels truly at peace. Often times, I feel alone...except while in the temple, remembering I'm a part of God's family. Thank goodness for the Gospel truths.

25+

Hi. My name is Crystal Perry and I'm 25 and single. Yes. True statement. So, apparently that makes me a non-traditional student at BYU-Idaho. Yep...another true statement. Let me explain...

Last semester, toward the end of it, I received an e-mail inviting me to a party/group called "the non-traditional single students" at BYU-I. This group is a special group for single students who are 25 years or older. I was mortified that they had sent ME the e-mail, since at the time I was 24 and not looking forward to my 25th birthday.

Well, my 25th birthday did come, and I survived it. Ironically enough I celebrated the grand day with a queasy stomach and a few unpleasant trips to the bathroom. For some strange reason the number 25 has freaked me out for a while now. Probably because it's the age my mom got married (actually...not even...she was ALMOST 25 when she married my dad.) She's always said that 25 is a good age to get married, and now that I'm here it's kind of freaking me out.

Anyway. Here I am...25 and single. This is the year. The year I am 25. So, I received another e-mail from the group newly named "The Vikings," formerly known as the "non-traditional single students." I guess they wanted to get away from the whole "non" thing. Um...yeah? Ya think? That name depressed me.

So, I decided, why not? I'll go to the party. Another 25-year-old friend was supposed to go with me...but bailed on me at the last minute. So, my dear roommate, Brenna, who happens to be 22, pretended to be 25 and came along. Guess what...I liked it! I met some cool people, participated in good conversation, and sparked a few friendships. I'm even going to write an article in the Scroll about what it's like to be 25 or older in this wonderful town of of Rexburg, full of 18 to 21-year old married girls. Good times. I'm becoming one with the 25. We're learning how to get along. Soon, I think we'll be good friends.