My First Sunday at the Santa B

So, friends, I have moved closer to campus and into the Santa Barbara. I was excited, because my brother lived here and LOVED it. This Sunday was my first Sunday and I was excited to see what the ward was like. I got home from hanging out and the grocery store Saturday night around 9, and I saw a tiny sheet taped to the door telling the apartment what time church started, etc. And it also reminded us that this Sunday would be a fast Sunday since next week would be regional conference.... Lame. I hadn't eaten dinner yet, and I didn't want to not eat again til Sunday at 9, so I decided not to truly fast. And I had bought treats! I at least figured I shouldn't bring them to church.

Also, our ward is in the MARB, which, if you know BYU campus, it is a building at the top of the hill, which means if there is parking nearby there is precious little of it. And thinking my apartment was closer to campus than it actually is, I decided to WALK to church. It was like, 5 blocks and a hill. And it was hot. And I was wearing heels. I decided I would drive and park as close as I could from now on.

Relief Society was first, and the bishop gave us the chastity/modesty/get married talk. Wow, what a start to the morning. Then some girl gave a comment like, "We should dress modestly so boys don't get bad thoughts," which I think is from the fifties. I have no control over other's thoughts, and I'm sure even a potato sack of a dress could make anyone think "bad thoughts" if they really wanted.

Sunday School for me was a meeting with all the new move-ins, where we filled out new member sheets, took a ward photo, and set up an appointment with the bishop. I was so tired that morning that I'm sure my photo was a goofy forced smile with my eyes shut. Sacrament meeting I went to go sit by my roommate, but coming from different rooms, she sat down by two guys she knew to her right, and her fiance to her left. I decided to sit in front of her. I left room for others to sit, but no one else sat by me, so I sat alone in my row. Then it was announced that Break-the-Fast would be at 2:30. I found this odd. Usually you break the fast around dinner time because you skip two meals: breakfast and lunch. So, to me it seemed like we skipped breakfast, lunch was from 11-2, and at 2:30 lunch was over, lets break the fast!

Well, I already ate lunch when I got home, and 2:30 was in the middle of my nap time, but knowing my siblings would mock me if I didn't try to socialize, I woke up so I could at least sit outside for the break the fast. After a few minutes this little boy with glasses sat next to me. He said he saw me sitting by myself at church and wanted to talk to me. I wondered: he thinks I have no friends, I'm sitting by myself, I look desperate: his clue that it is time to pounce! He was an accounting major. At least he wasn't a massage therapist (See story about "the Flock") Then he asked what I was doing, and I told him, and about what I did this summer. Then he asked if I was Native American. When I said, "Yes, I am" he proceeded to ask me if I had picked up my money yet this week.

In my head I said, "Ok, I'm done with you."
In person I said, "Well, I'm really tired. I'm going to take my nap now."
and I proceeded to go inside, then left for my brother's house.

Then I went to my sister's for dinner and stayed til 10, when I looked at my phone and realized I missed my 8:15 appointment with my bishop. Oops!

I have high hopes that things will get better in the future.