20 Things You May Not Know About Me

I most definitely stole this post idea from my lovely friend Elisabeth Gee. And her blog is lovely, so you should read it.

I. My name is Kelene Amethyst Fletcher. My first name is a combination of my Mother (Falene) and Father (Kenneth). My middle name is my birthstone (February) and is also my parents' wedding ring stone. My last name... well, it's pretty standard. But I do love archery!
The best jokes I've ever heard about my first name: "Keleneliness is next to Godliness!" "Is Mr. Clean your husband?" "So it's like a french twist on the word 'clean'?"

II. I enjoy two genres of books: Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Historical War Novels. I haven't found the connection yet either. And it's only war books. Any of that pansy girl-journal stuff I can't stand.

III. I am horrendous at keeping my own secrets. I can keep others' secrets to the grave, but if I have something I'm trying to 'keep hidden' I just can't do it. It nearly killed me knowing my mission call was coming and not telling anyone until the day before, but my roommate already knew, so that doesn't even count. I will not keep secrets, and I'm pretty frank about the fact. If you want to know something about me, or my opinion, you merely have to ask. I won't withhold, unless it isn't my secret to give.

IV. I'm also a terrible liar. Games that require a straight face, or lying, or playing innocent of any kind? I can't do it. Because if you ask me a direct question, I will not lie to you. I don't like it.

V. The first two rules of Kelene are 1. If you think Kelene is asleep, she's not. I am a very sensitive sleeper, and unless I am bone-dead tired my eyes are just closed. I can not move for 45 minutes, but if you walk too close to me, I'm awake. If you talk to me, I'm awake. However, if I have my earplugs in, I am trying to sleep, and heaven help you if you bother me. 2. If you think Kelene just swore, she didn't. I don't swear. I think it's an ugly habit, especially in anger. In fact, I'll get more mad at you than at the situation if you swear. :)

VI. I know within a week of knowing someone if I can be best friends with them. I currently have 4 best friends. I have been very lucky. Of course, this doesn't mean we are best friends as soon as I know it. I like to ease people into it. Mostly because...

VII. I care too much too fast. I don't generally let it show. I don't like all that many people, but those I do care for get an overdose.

VIII. Besides a brief stint with anemia and eating nutella straight from the jar, and skipping the gym when I'm tired, I am so dang healthy. No allergies, no diseases, mild cold at worst. I don't even get cramps. Good skin, decent teeth. Some people hate me for it, but, well, haters gonna hate.

IX. I have crazy self-confidence. Like, 10 on the scale. Maybe 9.8. But still. I don't know how it got there, and sometimes it overwhelms others, and limits me on dating (I have a forceful personality, I prefer someone I won't plow over). However, I have pretty low self-esteem. It has recently gotten better, but you'd be surprised.

X. My dream job is to be a prosthetist. After I get my business degree, depending on my situation, I would love to go back to school for biomedical engineering. Something about it is so strikingly beautiful. I can't quite put words to it.

XI. One of my favorite hobbies is writing letters. That is one great thing about moving to Arizona is now I have a plethora of friends to write in another state. There isn't anything like getting a letter in the mail.

XII. I hate the act of showering. I love being clean, but showering in and of itself I really hate. But I especially despise folding laundry. My roommate knows. My mom knows. Now everybody knows.

XIII. My love language is giving gifts and physical touch. If I make a gift specifically for you, I care about you. If I touch you/let you touch me, I care about you. If I give you a massage, feel special.

XIV. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the inspiration for my life. It is my favorite movie. Because right now all I want to do is travel the world. I'm going to do it too. All it takes is a little guts. And a best friend or two.

XV. I have secretly always wanted to live alone. I have also secretly always wanted to have a boy roommate. Not a husband, but just a boy roommate. It's weird, I know.

XVI. I want to live in Chicago at some point in my life. And I'm going to make it happen (see point 14).

XVII. When I'm sad, I don't sing. It's probably my best indicator of mood.

XVIII. I would love to join the army. I don't know how it fits into "The Perfect Plan for Kelene's Life" but I've been thinking about it from about age fifteen. We'll see. Maybe that's how I'll pay for my engineering degree.

XIX. When I have too many emotions to handle, I write it out. I have embarrassingly poetic prose on my computer. It's like Dumbledore's Pensieve. It gets it out of your head. It helps. And then I can put it in my stories!

XX. Finally... Well... I think I'm done with this blog. It's been a grand couple of years, but it's time to say good-bye. I love blogging. And I'll be back. With much love, Kelene

My mission blog will be HERE.

I'd love for you to read.

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To see the world, 

things dangerous to come to, 

to see behind walls, 

draw closer, 

to find each other 

and to feel. 

That is the purpose of Life

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:)

Good-Bye Logan

I didn't know what to do for my final blog post in Logan. It's a rather emotional time, as you can imagine. I'm exciting to be moving on, but it hurts to leave my home. I thought of writing all my great experiences and things I've learned, but in all reality, none of that really mattered. What changed me was the people I met and the relationships I developed. You've seen my dear boys. Here is my dear best of friends:

Dear Elite Ninja,
I appreciate the note you gave me. And I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to know you this past year. I can't even imagine Reeder without you anymore. I'd most definitely come over less if you weren't there. You are always the first person I ask for. You've taught me a lot about self-control and what I want to be. I really look up to you. You have just the right balance of elegance and crazy. And that is a compliment, I promise. You are going to do amazing things. And meet amazing people. And change lives. I'll never forget our water fights and ganging up on Taylor and overall just being insane together. Some people just don't get it. Haters gonna hate. But we are too cool for that. Keep in touch. I want to see what you do in the world, because I know you will make a difference.
Love, Me.

Dear Ermigersh,
You are basically dead, which I am actually very excited for, but I wish I could have gotten to know you even better. I underestimated you at first, but you are great. There's something to be said for not seeing someone all summer and then dropping back into a great friendship. And I wanted to thank you for the advice you've given me, and for the support you've been. It's always scary sharing secrets. But you make it better. I hope that you find the best in life, and that you can always find time to be happy. You are just so comfortable to be around, and I appreciate that. I've never had to put on a front with you around. You are one of the best people I know and I hope you know that. If you have the time (which you very well might not) shoot me a letter in the MTC. I can always use your advice. Be happy.
Love, Me.

Dear Dragon-Slayer,
This summer has been splendid, hasn't it? I'm sorry I didn't get that last dance. You are my favorite, in that respect. Don't worry so much about girl problems. As our awkward mutual friend says, relationships are simple. Just let it happen. I've loved being around you these past few months. Sometimes we grate on one another, but we are worth it. Thanks for the critiques, and some blunt words. I need to hear those more often. Also, thanks for taking the jokes. And I swear on my Arizona lineage I will never make another face comment again. And know that you are a great person. Remember that. Now go and inspire someone else. You better be married by the time I get back!
Love, Me.

Dear Pennsylvania,
Why did I have to be such good friends with you? And now I'm leaving. And it breaks my heart just a bit. We would have been the best roommates. And probably given that boy some concern, haha. All in all you made this a great summer. You are such an incredible person. It is so refreshing to see an adult in college, when so many others are just pretending. You are solid. Don't let you tell yourself differently. Because you don't have anything to worry about. Keep going, work out, watch Netflix, be better, be you. Because you are great. And you should know that. I love you a lot, and I am grateful that we could have this opportunity. Thank goodness for mutual friends, because I expect this friendship to last.
Love, Me.

Dear Armstrong,
You already know how much I care about you, so I'm not going to reiterate it here. I just wanted to say good luck. You're getting everything you wanted now, and I am so happy for you. Make a difference. Change a life. Stay strong, stay obedient, and do good. I am going to ask that we keep in touch. Because you are the best person I know, and one of my best friends. And you give me a different point of view, which is something I have always appreciated. Thanks for being my friend. And for being someone I can trust. I wish you the best of luck. Be safe, and be amazing. I know you'll be great.
Love, Me.

Dear Number One,
Don't worry about my rankings. Unless someone mans up, you are my number one. And it's kind of killing me that I am leaving you. We are definitely having Skype dates. Or google hangout. Whatever you want. You have changed my life so much that I can't even tell you what you did. You have shaped my entire college experience. And you can claim all of my good attributes. You make me better. Don't stop running. Don't stop making dumb (but excellent) jokes. Surprise people with your wit and intelligence. Try not to be so mysterious. Don't stop tackling people. Make friends and go on dates. I expect to hear about all of your dates. All of them. And if there is a Red Jello, you better freaking let me know. No more secrets, all right? And when I get back we'll go to Africa or Peru. Let's go be Walter Mitty. And come to win. As we always do. I'm going to miss you terribly, so you better write. Because I care about your life. Good luck, dear.
Love, Me.

Dear You,
This is for you. The one reading this post. Because I can't say good-bye to everyone. I can only imagine how long that would take. For a while I could feel myself pulling away from people as I prepared myself to say good-bye. It's like a part of me is dying. And if I am being honest with myself, that is exactly what is happening. So much of who I am is because of the great people in my life. God said there would be noble and great ones. I never dreamed I would have the privilege to meet so many of you.
I will cherish the friends that I have made here. Each of you have changed my life in ways you could never imagine. And as I say good-bye, knowing that I will very likely never see some of you again, I let myself hurt. Because this means I have something worth losing. I'm beginning to feel what sacrifice is. I'm done burning bridges though. No more unfriending people just because we haven't talked in a while. I'm making an effort to care. Because, as I realized while talking with a friend, caring is a godly trait. To feel is a gift, even if sometimes it can hurt.
I love you. I truly do.
Thank you for the good times. Thank you for going on runs, and for Po-Bev, and for snowball fights on the fly. Thank you for late nights, and dumb movies, and endless quotes. Thank you for shared fandoms, and free popcorn, and spontaneous texts. Thank you for jumping into freezing water, shooting each other, and playing sports with me even though I'm terrible. Thank you for pointing when I hashtag, and for buying new shoes, and going swing dancing. Thank you for teaching me Nerts, and humoring me with Egyptian Ratscrew, and making me laugh so much my abs hurt for three days. Thank you for writing that perfect blog post, and going to BDubs, and hosting scripture study. Thank you for coveting chili beans, and going on late night walks, and buying electric tape to be a ninja. Thank you for dumping water on me, and humoring my terrible Spanish (and French), and complimenting my singing. Thank you for eating my ice-cream, and tackling me, and searching for me that one time I didn't show up on Bread Tuesday. Thank you for sharing your secrets with me, and trusting me with your pain, and calling me when you needed help. Thank you for being there for me, and allowing me to serve you, and not judging me when I cry. Thank you for being you.
I have had the best and worst time of my life. And every second of it was a gift.
So thank you.
Thank you for making me cry to leave.
Because you. Because you are great.
With all my heart
Love, Me.

These pictures are essentially my college experience. They made me laugh and cry and cringe and smile. 

And how right it is to start and end with T.Harm.

Until 2016, Logan.

Love, Me.