The Reason Why

Recently I have discovered the reason why I am still VL: I am oblivious. The End. I could end this post right here, but I will elaborate.

So, there is this boy in my Statistics class, whom we'll refer to as Brady, and he sits next to me every class and if he arrives to class before me, he'll save me a seat. We're pretty good friends. He's very smart and pretty funny and it's nice to have a friend in a class with you and contrary to popular belief, Statistics has become fun. Because we have a test coming up, Brady asked for my number so that we can form a study group with a couple of my other friends--or so I thought.

The week continued without any alarm, when today I was hit in the head with a frying pan!

In Stats class today, Brady and I were talking our normal before-class-chatter when BANG out of nowhere something unexpected happened. He started out our conversation with "What did you have for breakfast this morning?" [Now if you knew Brady you would all know that this is normal for him]. I answered with "A muffin, you?" And the conversation quickly turned to another familiar topic: "Do you have any plans this weekend?" He asked me. [Last week I went snowmobiling with family, so we talked about that for a while. This topic did not raise any suspicion in me as it probably should have]. "No," I answered, "I mean there is a stake dance that I'm going to on Friday. You?" [How am I not getting any of these hints!?] "Um, nothing really. Hey, so I have a question for you; it's kind of bold." [He did warn me, and still NOTHING! When he said bold, I thought, oh maybe he'll ask me why I don't eat breakfast?? Gosh, I'm dense.] "Yeah, go for it." I stupidly said. "Would you like to play racquetball with me on Saturday." [Still no red flags; I seriously was thinking: "It's nice that he and I are friends." or something like that.] "Yeah, I would love to? What time? And I'm not really sure how to play racquetball." He answered with "Two [or something;because it gets a little blurry here, I told you, hit in the head with a frying pan!] and don't worry, it's just for fun." I then said [still in oblivion, mind you] "Well, I have something going on for Relief Society, but I think it's a little later in the evening. So, sure. But no judgments because I'm horribly uncoordinated!" He laughed, and then his next words really brought the reality of the situation into view "No judgments, my friend's date--oh, yeah it's a double date. Is that okay? [I numbly nodded, OH. Now it's all making sense. And now it's way too late.]--doesn't know how to play either." The fact that I could speak after this realization still amazes me, "Well, I'll let you know tomorrow in Lab or Friday in class if I can for sure go. 'Kay?" He responded, "Or you could just call me, you have my number [OH SHOOT. I'm so slow!]" I smiled, "Right." Then class saved me.

And that, good people of the jury, is why I am still VL. I am really good at being a friend of any guy, but reading signs of any interest just seems to escape me!

Aden Quackenbush

Aden Quackenbush may be a bit of a nerd. But he’s a cool nerd. Apparently, I like that.
Aden and I became friends fast. One day he approached me at institute. When I told him where I was from he mentioned that his aunt lived in my area and described the family. I happen to be close to that family, and I looked at him flabbergasted. A memory flooded my mind like a tidal wave and I just started to laugh. I had met him in High School and I remembered him! But the only reason I remembered him was because I thought he was an arrogant jerk! How could this slightly timid be-speckled barefoot runner be the same jerk? But I knew he was. I couldn’t stop laughing but all I could tell him was that I remembered meeting him.
Throughout the semester it seemed like Aden saw all my doings. From his living room, he could see every time I left or came to my apartment. Unfortunately this was with a different guy almost every time he saw me. I wanted to kick myself when he caught me with Ben (that jerk I almost dated last semester) multiple times and introduced himself to him. I just knew he was so close to asking me out and now he never would!
But I didn’t realize I had a crush on Aden until our Ward Formal. I was kind of surprised when the ward hottie, Zane, was my date from the Date-O-Matic 3000. I would have never guessed that because so many girls in the ward wanted to go with him! So I donned my blue Cinderella-esque dress and got pretty. Aden’s date was one of my best friends. He had gone all out and rented a purple tux for the occasion (I warned you he’s kind of nerdy). We ended up in the food line together and he said “Kylie, you look so beautiful tonight” twice. Twice! My date didn’t even say that! While being waited on by the ward hottie I was wishing Aden had on a blue tux instead. Then afterwards I smiled while my friend raved about what a great date he was and, like everyone else, told me how lucky I was to go with Zane. My mind was yelling “wanting to be with the ward nerd over the ward hottie when you’ve got the ward hottie? What’s wrong with you, girl!”
The Sunday after that dance I saw Aden waiting in the lobby after church out of the corner of my eye. He ran up to me as soon as he saw me and walked as if he had just randomly run into me and we happened to be walking together. I was delighted by the adorableness of his timid approach! He told me how much he loved my testimony that day and how happy he was that he was friends with such an amazing girl. Wow! I told him I thought he was pretty awesome too and we happily sat together for Sunday School.
In the midst of finals I kind of forgot about Aden, my awesome slightly nerdy friend who still hadn’t asked me out. I got back in Provo a few days ago and didn’t make the effort to talk to a single boy. So I was surprised to get a call out of the blue from Aden himself asking me on our first date! I was very conflicted because I don’t like saying yes to a guy who asks me out right before we go, but I wanted to go and I really didn’t have plans, so I abated my inner dating Nazi by telling Aden how amazing it was I didn’t have plans tonight and then accepting.
When I saw him I was shocked to see he had lost his black-framed glasses! They were so endearing! He informed me he had lasik over the break and I hope he wasn’t sad he did when I mourned the loss of his four eyes.
Since we both hadn’t eaten he offered me the meal he concocted of rice, tomatoes and beans. It was surprisingly delicious. We invited his roommate Reginald (possibly the most awkward guy I’ve ever met who happened to write the code for the Date-O-Matic 3000) to eat with us and he accepted our invitation. I felt really bad when I realized I had left the apartment when Reginald was mid sentence!
Aden and I saw a captioned French film at the “International Cinema” which I really enjoyed. Aden is so cultured! When we were leaving the building Aden stopped and exclaimed: “I left my pen!”
I said “Um, okay…” I didn’t know people got so attached to pens.
He said “I love that pen! I’ll run ahead and get it!” I tried to tell him I would hit up the restroom while he was finding his pen but he was running away before I got the chance so I text him “I’m going to go to the bathroom!” so he knew where I was.
But he didn’t text me back and afterwards he was nowhere to be found. I ended up calling him to find him and he had no idea where I was. A.k.a. he had not checked his phone! Which means he got a text from me after the date that says, “I’m going to the bathroom!”
Oh the horror! Why in the world did I have to send that text? I have no idea how he interpreted that one. He’s probably thinking, “Woah this girl is getting way to personal. It’s only been one date and she’s telling me when she poops!”
Maybe I’ll make a habit of sending daily texts like “I’m in the shower! I’m shaving my armpits!”
Before he read the dreaded text and after he found his beloved pen, we went to a “Superhero” themed event on campus. This means the place was crawling with bewildering superheros like “Trashbag Girl” and “The Carebear Boys” in Carebear outfits designed to fit 5 year olds.
Most of our time at the event was spent sipping hot chocolate and having an enthrawling discussion. For a sciencey guy, he has one of the most artistic minds I’ve explored. We discussed sophisticated books we enjoyed, social issues, food industry, things like that. It was fascinating.
He doesn’t like to dance nearly as much as me, but he humored me and jumped into the dance going on at the event for the last three songs. He had fun too.
That’s basically it!
That was last night and this morning my friend and I went for a jog. We were talking outside of our complex and here walks out Aden with another girl from our ward. When he saw me he gave a little jump and we exchanged hi’s. It looked like they were going to the grocery store or something. They seem like really good friends, and maybe he likes her. Then what is he doing asking me out? I guess I really can’t blame him after passing by his window with a new boy every day last semester.
Well it's time to text Aden. I’m off to the bathroom!

The Attractive Man Who Didn't Know He Was Attractive

Funny story:
So for New Year's Eve, Kylie and I wanted to go to a dance in Seattle, but we didn't want to drive there...at midnight...by ourselves. (By the way, if you didn't already know, Kylie and I are sisters...feel free to unleash your surprised/shocked reactions.) We didn't know anyone in the new town our family just moved to, but luckily our mother knew that the older brother of our little brother's friend was home from college for the break, so we got a ride with him.
Before the dance, we went to a random party with this random guy and met all his friends. Well, there was one particular young gentleman at the party who I noticed was rather attractive, but alas, I thought he would never notice me. At the dance, however, during a slow song, almost all the girls around me got asked to dance. Suddenly, the attractive man came out of nowhere and asked me to dance. As we danced, we talked, and discovered that we have a lot in common. We both go to the same college and we both learned Spanish on our missions.
After the song ended, another slow song came on, and we continued to talk. Suddenly, a girl came up and interrupted our conversation by saying, "This is one of my favorite songs. I wish someone would ask me to dance." Mr. Attractive was obviously the only guy around, but he didn't take the hint. Then a random girl came up to Mr. Attractive and tried to freak dance with him, and he looked really uncomfortable. So I realized that the most attractive thing about Mr. Attractive was that he didn't know he was attractive. But I'm proud of myself that I didn't act like the other girls who were all over him, and I let him pursue me. And he did...kind of.
Now that's attractive.
P.S. No New Year's kiss. A new semester is starting, and still no one even close to breaking the VL. What to do?!

To Be Pursued

It's Christmas break, meaning that no dating is going on for the four of us. Being back at home for Christmas break, especially in a new house where I didn't grow up, isn't giving me many chances for dating. But I did want to share a little realization I've come to: I want to be pursued! No, not by a stalker or a crazy, but by a guy I'm actually interested in.
Talking to my best friend from high school about her new boyfriend reminded me that the good old fashioned dating system can actually work! They started out as friends just spending time together, then he became interested in her. She was also a bit interested in him, but unsure. He asked if they wanted to date and she didn't know so he held off. He wasn't buggy about it nor did he run away in fright, but he was patiently persistent. Finally, after a month or so, she realized that if she didn't date him, she would be forever comparing other guys to him and wishing they were as awesome as him. So she agreed to date him, and they've both been happy ever since.
I realize that the only times I've been pursued is when I'm not interested in the guy or when the guy isn't interested in a serious relationship. I'm tired of guys who wait around for girls to pursue them. Let's go back to the traditional courtship culture a little bit.
Oh, to be pursued.

Who Would Have Thought?!

The Ward Formal is a thing of the past; however, I did not have the opportunity to fill ya'll in on how my fate turned out. Well, the days leading up to the dance were quite unpleasant for me. Kylie, Erin, and Katelyn all had dates by the alleged last day that the boys could ask us; I, on the other hand, was dateless. Which was fine with me--I had loads of essays to write and didn't see the point of going to the Ward Formal anymore; I HAD to write those seven essays or else. Well, Thursday came and I still had no date or even a prospect of one, so I figured I was free to write my essays and sleep in and prepare for last minute midterms and finals. Gosh, I shouldn't make plans. Thursday night at around 10:30 there was a knock on the door. I was sitting on the floor--why the floor, I'm not sure??--finishing up two of my papers when this strange boy entered my apartment. Katelyn and I looked at each other--Who is this?? Well he introduced himself as Will. He said that he was my date for the dance. Okay. Will was from a different Ward and so I had no idea who he was or what he was like. This could be interesting.

Well, whether I liked it or not, the dance was upon me. And may I just say that I looked hot! Will arrived and then we went to the Church--this is where we were having the dance. Everyone was all decked out to the nines and the Church was decorated so nicely...blah, blah, blah...Okay. To the good parts. Will and I got along right from the get-go. He was really funny and nice. We danced and had icing wars and in the end I had a GREAT night! I'm definitely glad that I went. Now, I'm not interested in Will--not THAT way. He's a great guy and really fun to be around, but I'm currently not interested in any boy from the Ward or in Utah. My interests are otherwise occupied in another state that is dear to my heart! ;) But because of the Ward Formal, I made a new friend! Who would have thought?! Not me.

My Faith in Boys is Restored

FINALLY I went on a date that restored my faith in the male gender! Now I know there ARE good guys out there who DO know how to date! Let me begin at the beginning...
Thursday night I was watching Anne of Green Gables with some girl friends at my friend's apartment. Unbeknownst to us, her roommate decided to invite about 20 loud guys over for cupcakes, so we had to relocate our girls' night. After searching in vain for an available TV, we asked a guys' apartment if we could watch it there. Some of them watched the movie with us and a couple of them even enjoyed it and want to finish it with us! While I was there, my friend Henry asked if I was doing anything the next day and if I wanted to go out with him. He is an awesome guy but I haven't been super interested in him before because I thought a million other girls were interested in him.
On Friday night we went to see Christmas lights at a park, then got hot chocolate. The only regret I have about the date was that it wasn't long enough! Henry was so nice, so funny, and so interested in me and my life. In other words, he knows how to date! He kept making stupid puns which I thought were funny, and we were able to joke around without making things uncomfortable. I would totally go out with Henry again if he asked. Hurray for good dates!

Ward Dance Date: Fun Yet Frustrating

I know you've all been waiting by your computers in agony for the results of the ward date on Saturday. I'm sorry I have disappointed you, but I've been a little overwhelmed with schoolwork. But now the papers are turned in, finals loom before me, and I will let you know of the details of the date.
Before the big date, Kylie, Katelyn, Lynette, and I spent some time doing our hair, fixing out make-up, painting our nails...the works. After we were done, I thought, "Dang, we look hot! Why don't we always look this good?" Then I remembered why: 1) I'm always late so I'm lucky if I have time to pull my hair back and 2) I don't really care that much on normal days.
Anyway, our dates all came to the door about the same time, except for Katelyn's date, who came a little early and was shooed away by Kylie (poor guy). It was quite hilarious watching our entire ward (who all pretty much live in the same apartment complex) all walking to the church building together with our dates. And the ol' date-o did a good job; I kept ooing and awing over couples that were formed that seemed just perfect!
The evening was well-planned and quite fun. We started out with dinner (unfortunately, it was lasagna; fortunately, it didn't get on my dress). Brian and I talked for a long time about our lives. Like I mentioned, Brian is a very funny person, and is always trying to get attention by making hilarious/controversial comments. I was hoping it would be different getting to know him one-on-one. Well, although Brian told me a lot about his life, I don't feel like I know any more about who he is. He kept trying to be witty (which I appreciate) but in a critical way (which I don't appreciate).
Although the dinner left me a bit frustrated because Brian is just such a confusing person, the rest of the night was a lot of fun. We made a 2-story gingerbread house together, learned how to dance the cha-cha, played some card games, and danced the night away to songs such as the Party Rock Anthem.
I tried hard not to laugh as nearly our entire ward had simultaneous doorstep scenes at the end of the date. My doorstep scene with Brian was made all the more awkward because I tried to give him a hug while balancing our gingerbread house in one hand.
The most frustrating thing about the whole date was that the whole evening Brian didn't give me one compliment. The next day in church, however, he got up and bore his testimony to the entire ward about how beautiful all the girls were and he didn't realize they had that potential. Wait? ALL the girls? That POTENTIAL? If Brian was trying to pay me an underhanded compliment, he didn't do a very good job. And if he thought I looked beautiful, why couldn't he say that to my face?
That night Brian sent me a note that said "Thanks for the date. I had a lot of fun. Heart, Brian."
Heart, Brian? Do guys normally use a heart when writing girls?
Anyway, although I had a fun time on the date, it made me realize a couple things: 1) I feel like I still want to get to know Brian better, because I don't think I got to know him at all and 2) Maybe I need to stop being attracted to funny guys! Unless they have the depth to go with it!
What do you all think?