Dear Friend,

Today I got a letter in the mail. I quickly replied and here is what I wrote:

"Dear Elder [So-And-So],
I think that we are destined to forever be pen pals. I can think of many reasons why, but for the sake of proof, I will list a few: 1- Your persistance intrigues me. 2- My only other pen-pal is my 5-year-old nephew and it is refreshing to hear from someone of my own level of intelligence. 3- I LOVE hearing from you and your letters are pimp daddy. 4- You deserve a good letter from an old friend who genuinely misses you and cares how you are doing. 4.5- (This only counts as half because it's just dumb anyways...) I'm not engaged. Or dating anyone.
THE END

Well, okay,... since we are sort of already on the subject... Kinzie. Is. Getting married. And I just returned home from a wonderful weekend in good-old Logan to celebrate our loss. Oh, the irony. It was great and sad and the funnest weekend I have had in quite a while. Side note: We watched videos of freshman year and -oh my goodness- I was on the floor in a heap of laughter and tears. Remember the videos you made with that white hockey mask and Kinzie with her black person makeup? SO FUNNY! It made me so lonesome for you and Jason and Dom and the LLC. Seriously, good times. Sorry, that was a long side note.

So, I'm excited for Kinzie, she seems very happy. Please tell me you know about Emma and Ammon. They're dating and apparantly in love. My initial reaction was shock, but once that wore off I guess I can say it seemed to make some sense. I mean, they do both have double M's in their name --- totally meant for eachother. Kaylee has a boyfriend who buys her everything. And, that's that. Katie, however, has returned to singledom as she decided that life was too short to jump into being attathed. Good for her, I say. I try so hard to not say that selfishly - she has become my very best friend as I am sure you have figured.

I am still a receptionist at an eye doctor. I have learned lots of things at this job, firstly, that I never want a desk job ever ever ever again. I can't complain because the hours and the pay are seemingly perfect. I can only count the number of times I have been hit on on one hand. Considering that most of the patients are elementary school kids or grandparents, I figure that less than 5 is a pretty good ratio. My boss is a whole other story. He's super awkward and nerdy and sometimes I think that him being a doctor is a cover and that he is really a crook. Did I just say that? Yep, a crook. If you'd like more details I'd be happy to share.

Let me give you the DL on UVU. It hardly feels like college for the following reasons: 1- The buildings are all connected, causing an eerie de ja vu-ish high school feeling (but, on the bright side, is much much warmer than trudging through the snow to class). 2- Almost all of the classes are small, less than 30 people. 3- There is no on-campus housing and I just don't see a ton of people staying on campus. It's just not really a "college life". At least compared to my previous experience - And I can't quite decide if it's because I'm a big bad junior now or because of the previous reasons. However, I am enjoying my classes. Great teachers, lots of things going on around campus and a beautiful new library. Also, the feeling in Orem/Provo is quite different. Not good or bad (I don't want to sway you, if I haven't already) but let's just say - I never thought I would say this - I sometimes miss Logan. Go Aggies. By the way, I love being an artist.

Outside of school, I play a lot, date a lot, go to my awkward receptionist job, exercise (pilates!), find new music, spend time with my family, and go on the occasional shopping spree. I do, thank you, enjoy my balanced life.

Forgive the extreme length of this letter. And now, as for you. Still loving Vegas? I am happy to hear about your baptisms. How warm is it there? Actually, no, don't tell me. I would be so jealous I'd want to scream. Today, in Alpine Utah it was 40 something degrees. In October. Before Halloween. And, don't even worry, it snowed last weekend. I give you permission to laugh a very evil and defeating laugh. I know you have been practicing.

Elder [So-And-So], can you please do me a favor? I have been contemplating whether or not I should serve a mission. Now, I know it is my decision, and I am not asking for an answer. I would just like to know how/when/if you decided to serve. And, I'd love to hear what a mission is actually like. Baptisms, reactivations and all of that are fantastical and something to be extremely proud of. But give me the nitty gritties. Even tell me about the sisters you serve with. Can you see me being a missionary? ANYTHING! I'd love that.

You seem happy. So, keep doing whatever you are doing and never stop.
Forever Your Penpal, Hayley"

That is my life in letter-form. Hope you enjoyed.