I'm back

I know I abandoned my blog but it's bc I was having way too much fun to be on here writing about it all. I can tell some more stories later maybe. I probably never will actually. But, I have had some missing complaints, so here's the return of amanda virgin.
Back at school and loving it - I'm living with Lucy and Nikki. For those of you who don't know these ladies: Lucy is short, helpful, OCD organized, and cuddles a lot. Nikki goes to bed early (starting on Monday), txts a lot, calls me cheap, and has "orange" hair. We have a wonderful life, the three of us.
Friday night I got to school with Lucy at 2am and unpacked til 6 - we just were ready to go. Also, Tech is a magical place and the moment you are at Tech, you just stay up late and never get tired. It's very useful for socializing. We'll just start with some highlights of our return to school. First things first, our apartment was asgusting, so we've done lots of cleaning. Did anything interesting happen Saturday? Oops, I'm not supposed to be typing all of this. But yes, they did. At the BBQ, I ate all 25 hot dogs Tyler Shillig put on the grill for me... a new record! What now Elder Taylor? How's your high school gf anyway? All we had to eat for 12 hours was Starburst and brownies after that. Paul's still ignoring us. And yes, I'm still receiving emails from my mom at regular 10 minute intervals. Is anyone actually reading this? Okay, good, I'll keep going. I went grocery shopping Saturday night with Lucy...Nikki didn't come because all she eats is junk. And you can get all that at Arby's and Hardee's. I know, I'm throwing up right now, too.
Monday morning: First day of class and Lucy's first electrocution. Here she is to tell you the story herself...Finally, Amanda lets me do something all by myself! (Usually I have to get permission.) Anyway, Monday mornings I don't start class until 11:15. So, I got up early to be productive and went running and things. After I got all ready for school (in my best first day outfit-a little dress and pigtails) I still had some time. So, I toasted a bagel and decided to turn on the TV while I ate it all up. The TV wouldn't turn on, so I just left it alone. Then, I decided to check the plug to make sure it was actually in. It was only half way in the socket so I went to plug it in all the way. Next thing I know the electric current was running from the tip of my middle finger all the way up my arm. Then my heart started beating really fast. So, I sat quietly on the couch doing nothing. After a few minutes it didn't hurt so bad, and now my arm just twitches weirdly every once in a while.
Tuesday: Highlights of today include my teacher taking my picture at the end of class and I didn't wear shoes all day. Something about wearing shoes hurts my feet after the first six weeks. Okay that's it.
Yours truly,
Mantastic

Failure for Life

So all I have to say is that I lasted 5 good days of hairy, gross, hot, itchy, unshaven legs. Last night I caved. It was the best shave I've ever had, and my legs feel so awesome. Who knew smooth could be so good? So I don't get $100 dollars - stupid - but I do get to look like a woman and not feel so disgusting in public. Believe me it was already long in just the 5 days.
Not only did I shave my legs, but I gave Devin a hair cut. It was only fair since he had cut mine - see previous post. And actually, I am not bad at giving hair cuts. I'd never cut a boys hair before (unless it was just buzzing it which needs no skill whatsoever). So I guess the past two days of my life have been all about hair - thats weird.
Also, I ran out of drinking water today but knew I was going in to town tonight so wanted to hold out for the grocery store, but i was dying of thirst - so i drank some tap water, and now i believe everyone about not drinking tap water. It's ok everyone, I'm not dying or even ill, but I did go by some clean water and lemonade.

Sasquatch Pact and Wartless

Just a short update: I am pretty sure I'm not going to shave my legs for the next 3.5 weeks. This is not just for fun, oh no. But it is another bribe/bet. Devin wondered how hairy my legs actually would get, and if I really would never shave them, so he offered me $100. I thought hard about it - for 1 whole day, but really, shaving is annoying, i'll get more tan if I dont, and I'll get $100 dollars effortlessly. The only real problem is I am usually in a bathing suit, and usually in public. It will get embarassing, but I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
Now for the REALLY BIG NEWS. The wart is finally gone! How many of you thought this day would only come by surgical removal?? Probably atleast 5 of you. Well it's gone and thats no joke. So congratulations pinky!

Gym Pranks

Pranks are something I have become very familiar with recently. I am fond of playing pranks on others and as most of you know it is a favorite past time for Lucy and I. I also secretly enjoy having pranks played on me - I guess I feel as if I am cool if anyone takes the time to laugh at me, make a joke of me, make me cry, or attempt to ruin my life. Are you thinking - 'ruin her life?!' That may actually be dramatic of me, but for those of you who don't know, pranks are not always fun and games. Prank: a trick of an amusing, playful, or sometimes malicious nature. (that came from dictionary.com - incase there are some sort of legalities about copyrights) Well, you see, since moving down to the USVI and even in the weeks leading up to the move, pranking was at an all time high. The boys love to prank me. Pranks usually include some sort of outlandish lie - such as, being engaged, smoking the reefer, drowning, having a "connection", etc. Never before have pranks been physical... until the night at the gym.
The boys and I went to the gym (at a resort bc we find hook-ups) to work out for a while. After working out we all planned on showering, but there was one problem - I hadn't brought any extra clothes with me and didn't feel like going back to the apt before going out to play for the night. Justin luckily had an entire extra change of clothes with him (so prepared and responsible), which I then put on after my shower. I really only used a tshirt bc it's not like my legs or butt got so sweaty that I needed new shorts. As I was getting ready, Devin and Matt decided to try to hit me with rocks from the sauna/massage room (for a visual: there are two hallways running parallel to one another. In between the hallways are massage rooms, which connect the halls. So the boys had access to the women's hall and vice versa. Also, the gym had closed by this time so there was no one in this part of the resort but us - dangerous). They did indeed succeed in hitting at least my knee cap. I made them think it hurt worse than it did so they ran away to take showers. I decided to even the odds and throw cold drinking water in each of their showers - which I did, and I got girl screams, and then boys running after me in towels. They each took some limbs and dragged me back to my shower, tossed me inside, turned the shower on, and ran away. I admit I asked for it, so I wasn't mad or dry.
Justin let me wear his extra pair of boxer briefs and shorts and I wore the top I worked out in. The gym had spray deoderant that I used, so I didn't smell bad. Don't worry. Also, me wearing Justin's clean boxer briefs was a bonding moment for us, because he too has worn mine.
There are no pictures of this event - where was justin?? But it is all true and now it's my turn to prank.

The Barbers

I let Devin cut my hair - only 2 inches, but you could tell it was shorter. It actually looks better than it did before. Matt and Justin each did some snipping too, so it was all together a group effort.

Island Adventures round 2

On Sunday we decided to go back to the bay we visited last week, also so Kirsten could experience it. Mainly thought because Devin and I wanted to jump the cliffs there. It's about a 15 min hike down, but instead of swimming the1/2 mile, we walked down past someones drive way and walked over a connecting beach land bridge to get to the island. Devin and I snorkeled out to the spot beneath the cliffs to check out the depth. The reefs there were great and had tons of fish - quite a few waves coming in and out of this area causing the water level to rise and fall. We decided the water was deep enough and clearing the rocks shouldn't be a problem. Devin climbed back up the rock coast of the island first, then my turn. I waited for the wave to come in and the water level just rose me up to Devin's level, but when I went to grab the rock I missed, the water level quickly fell and I had a little drag down on the rock. I got a few cuts but luckily I didn't even feel them and made it up the second time. I don't think I will have feminine legs by the end of summer. We climbed up to the top of the cliff - Devin jumped right off, I had to work up the nerve and finally just jumped (kind of face planting a little), then Kirsten jumped third. It was awesome! I've jumped the cliffs at Smith Mt Lake but jumping into the Ocean is way different. I was just so nervous I'd miss and hit the rocks below - phew! Devin and I climbed up and did a second jump - which I was more nervous for than the first! Matt and Justin got some good pics, thank goodness, so that you all will believe me!
We all climbed around the east side of the island and got to a pool of water we were going to swim across to continue on our exploration. I slipped on my way in and my pinky toe was stung by a sea urchin - my biggest fear of vacation bc I hate them. They just look scary and ever since Tasha get some needles in her butt I have been avoiding them like, I dont know, something terrible. After that I just decided to flop myself into the water instead of stepping in. I will later post a picture of these urchins so you will all understand their horror. Below is where it happened and you can see us tiny on the other side of the water.
We then decided to try to swim to another island. The only problem was that we didn't have any flippers or masks, so we were actually swimming there, we were in the open ocean water and not a bay, and the current was pretty strong. We got nearly half way there and I could literally feel the current and felt like I was swimming my little heart out, and not moving. I decided to go back and not risk my life. I felt like a huge loser for not making it, but next time I'll bring fins and a mask and it will be much better. We went around to the west side of the island and climbed up a big rock to rest.
We left our beloved island - the hike back to the car is the worst because you're way tired, it's hot, you're thirsty, and it's all up-hill. As we started passing the million dollar home on the way back, Devin and I decided we should try to get a ride back to the gate. I took off my shoes and thought I should pretend I was almost passed out and get in Devin's back to make myself look more pathetic for the situation's cause. Then, I changed my mind and decided to fake a sprained ankle - much better plan. Devin carried me down to their gate and we saw this bald man (not Matt). Devin explained to him I was hurt and wondered if we could get a lift to our car. The man approached us and asked what happened as he lifted up my leg to inspect my ankle - which was obviously fine, not cut, bruised, swollen or anything - so our only reaction was, to turn... and run! We just took off back out the gate and up the hill. It was worth a try, worth the tale, and a good attempt. But no ride.
That evening Haylie and Kristele (two of the sweetest girls at church, also from Utah) invited all of us, the elders, and the sisters over for dinner. They made an amazing meal and we were all more than happy to have a real cooked meal!
So Sunday was very eventful. Jumping the cliffs is one of my favorite memories, but to make this all even more intense - I found out from a local on Monday that the waters we were swimming in are supposedly highly infested with sharks! that's right - we swam in shark infested waters. They are there bc of the current and the fish (and those ARE true, so the shark thing has to be). Thank heavens I didn't have a mask to see below me, but next time...

First Near Death Experience for real

So this picture sums up my day yesterday, but let me back track to start with my near death experience from friday.
It all started on friday night when we took a taxi downtown. The taxi driver was late and we had to sit and wait on the road for him so when we got downtown the boys didn't want to pay the full price that the taxi driver was charging. Kirsten and I just went to the side and I had given one of the boys my money already. What it all comes down to is Devin calmly negotiating with the very uneducated, large, black island man taxi driver and trying to knock two dollars off each of our fair, Matt getting frustrated by the entire thing and backing up Devin, and Justing walking away because the man was so stupid (occasionally coming back to make comments such as, you know you're a jerk). The driver started to swear and yell at Devin and out of no where slams him up against the side of the taxi, nearly threatening his life. Brave and daring Devin remained calm, telling the man he had his money but needed change - obviously change Devin did not get, but instead was robbed $20. Thats right, we ended up paying more than we were even charged. The daring and brace Devin was fine in the end, and can now say he almost fought a 300 lb island taxi driver. After Devin's $20 dollars was stolen, the guy ran to the taxi and sped off into the distance. Matt read the license plate aloud and wanted to call the taxi service right away. In my opinion, they are all part of some sort of transportation mob. We plan on never using this taxi service again - not like we could even if we wanted to. SO that started the night out with a bang, leaving you all with danger experience one.