(Insert intriguing title here)

09 February 2014

Dear Mom. And anyone else who happens to read this.

     I know there are way too many blogs floating around out there and they tend to get lost in the wind, but following the advice of a little bird who shall not be named [B. Crookston... No wait, Becky C...(Karyn please tell me you understood that reference!)] I decided to start writing my weekly updates and putting them here in my lovely little section of the internet. I'm hoping that it will work kind of like Christmas at our house, where I put all my things in this nice little "Carol's Corner" and then some kind soul wanders by later and adds some nice finishing touches. In other words, feel free to comment, I love hearing from you guys!

     Before I can explain why I chose the title that I did, I have to share some exciting news (that I'm pretty sure you've all heard by now, as well as anyone else who happened to run into Mom at the grocery store). I'm going on a mission! I found out for sure when the missionaries came to give me a blessing in the hospital. I was actually there because of a concussion from a little bitty car incident and the blessing was for the headaches, but Heavenly Father answered another prayer also and now I know for sure that I'm going on a mission! I chose the name because I am the "little sis" of the family, but also because I'm going to be a sister missionary and I can use this for my weekly letters while I'm on a mission too. It's so crazy to think about the future!

     Speaking of the future, I have another fun little announcement. After a lot of thought and contemplation, I have finally decided that I will be starting college at USU this fall. In the end, they offered me a good scholarship that can help me graduate without student loans and I know that they also work well with deferments for missionaries. As strange as it may sound, I was also thinking of my future husband, and what better wedding present to give him than entering our marriage debt-free? He might not have the same opportunity, whoever and wherever he may be, but I know that it will bless our future family.

     I don't have any other exciting news, except for being able to eat a Subway sandwich the other day (actually, that might have been more exciting than finally deciding where to go to college but I really shouldn't admit it). Funny story about that though. By the way, I hope you've all eaten before reading this because it's making me hungry just thinking about it. The sandwich I always get at Subway is oven-roasted chicken on Italian herb and cheese bread toasted with Swiss cheese and topped with ranch and lettuce. I found this Subway on the Naval Air Station a little ways away from Catania so everything was written in English, but on that sticker thing with all the names of the bread someone had crossed out "Italian herb and cheese" and written "Parmesan and Oregano." It had never really occured to me that there were actually herbs and cheese on the bread, but it makes sense that the Italians wouldn't think of it as "Italian herb and cheese" but as what it really is, just parmesan and oregano. I'm a little disappointed though, my already-boring sandwich just lot the only exoticness it had. Oh well, I'm sure Mom and Dad are just happy that I'm not just ordering a few slices of turkey on white bread with mayo anymore. Just so you know Dad, I have eaten quite a few crazy things here. I don't think even you would have eaten the pasta al nero di seppia (spaghetti with a black sauce that is made from squid ink) but I can add that to my list of "Funky Things Eaten." I won't even mention all the tomatoes I've eaten here either.

     Well it's getting quite late and I'm too lazy to go back up and change the date to "10 February 2014" so I'll wrap it up for this week. I love you all dearly! Thank you so much for your love and support!

Carolina
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