By Amber Gold
The Golden One
Whenever I introduce myself with my full name, the jokes and puns begin to flow. “Amber, you are GOLDen!” and “Here’s a GOLD star for you!”, are just a few of the many jokes I’ve heard through the years. I also am often asked, “Did you know your name is two colors?”, because maybe that has never occured to me. As much as these comments have become redundant, I love my last name and am going to miss it when I give it up in August to marry my fiance, Cody. But with that marriage will come another fun last name. Cody’s last name is Going, and already we hear new puns of Cody “GOING for the GOLD”. Names are powerful but they can also add some humor to our lives.
Lover of Idaho
Idaho is well known as the potato state, and for a good reason. Potatoes are amazing! Fries, mashed potatoes, and potato chips are some of my favorite foods on this planet. However, potatoes, and all potato related foods, are not the only reason I love Idaho. I served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pocatello, Idaho mission. I got to serve all over Southeast Idaho, in addition to Bear Lake, Utah and Star Valley, Wyoming. I met wonderful people, came to love the high desert of Idaho, and learned how to make hard work fun. I found myself and my Savior in Idaho.
Master Stresser
Stress is a normal part of life, and most people seem to find a good balance between stress and bliss. For some reason I have never been able to learn how they do it. I am an expert at stressing about everything and anything, even before there’s a reason to stress about it. One of the best quotes I have found to describe my dilemma is: “I stress about stress before there’s even stress to stress about. Then I stress about stressing over stress that doesn’t need to be stressed about. It’s stressful”. I stress over grades, relationships, saying something stupid, being healthy, not sleeping because I’m stressing over other things, helping my friends, the car, keeping the apartment clean, and the list could go on and on. All I can do is keep moving forward and tell myself that it’s never as bad as it seems.
Tree Hugger
I was born in Utah, but I have lived most of my life in Washington and Oregon, some of the most beautiful states in the United States. I love the my family, my fiance, and my friends, but the Pacific Northwest takes up the rest of my heart. With beautiful green mountains, crystal blue lakes, lush forests, and the stunning Pacific coast, the Pacific Northwest is the place I go to fulfill my need for beauty. The trees are what really draw me in. I love hiking in forests and it’s not uncommon for me to take time to climb, sit in, or hug a tree. Hence the name, “Tree Hugger”.
Amber's Musings 