ChRiStMaS!!!

Merry Christmas to all!! I pretty much just have to say that Christmas was amazing this year. It was very strange because it really just didn't feel like Christmas. It just snuck right up on me and I had no idea how it got there ha. Although it really didn't feel like Christmas...all the way up until we said our prayer and started opening our presents...I felt like this Christmas was just awesome. It was hard to not have the whole family there. I don't know how I feel about my siblings having in-laws to spend holidays with haha. Don't get me wrong though. I love my brother and sister-in-law, it was just weird to not have my brother and sister there. All is well! My mother gave an amazing prayer this morning, and that was the best way to kick of our Christmas day. I got to finish my Christmas off with a nice long skype with my bestest friend Jessica.

I am so grateful that we can take the time out of our busy lives to celebrate the birth of Christ. I know that He is my Savior and my brother. Every day I am grateful for his life and mission. I think we need to remember just how awesome He was for atoning for us all :) Anywho...I love my family and I'm so glad I could spend all day with them! It was awesome and just what we all needed.

I hope you had a very merry and fantastic Christmas! Here are a few pictures of our festivities that took place today.

Here is our cute tree.

Oh Papa...you make me laugh :)

Ya...we totally have freakin sexy matching hiking boots!

Kathryn and her mini theater collection :)

Beautiful Carissa and her lovely new harmonica. (Jezz wasn't too sure about it haha)

Mama and her new boots.

New clothes!!!

Cute Papa with his new movie "Inception"

Matchy matchy windbreakers squared!

Carissa and the hugest knife known to mankind.

Here is my Mama cooking aebleskivers :)

I've never seen this before! Crazy how the salt just forms a shield!

Here is mine and Kathryn's loot!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

...and I quote...

"Lavender, you get on my head." -Hater

"Noodles...don't noodles." -Master Oogway

"Sick dog dump shiz!" -Jessica B.

"I should've been a dog." -Laura S.

"I'm making sushi tonight. I just have to stop at Petco real fast on the way home." -Gage B.

"I feel like I've heard this story before...you eating too much." -Derek C.

"Is this real life?" -David

"Some people say my head is too big for my body. And I say...compared to what??"
-Marcell the Shell

"I'm Facebook stalking myself!" -Laura

"My hair is hideous..(point)...oh. Never mind." -Kathryn

"...in the less gay as possible." -J and L

"Did you just say Moses' name in vain?" -David E.

"Ya...cause you numbed my nuts with a volleyball!" -Dallin W.

"We're either long lost brothers, or soul mates." -Dallin W.

"BLT stands for something??" -Kelsey M.

"Hi lollipoop. Haha...two o's instead of one. That's a good one." -Carissa S.

"I took collegiate yoga....Oh. I guess our yoga session is over." -Jake B.

"Did you know I'm officially brown?" -Elder Huber

"I found some sweet African music and every time I listen to it I just want to pass out with happiness." -Dallin W.

"Music is the best thing ever." -Jessica J.

"I think you're narcoleptic." -Jessica B.

"I've had worse accidents than that!...One time I fell on my face in the road." -Austin B.

"I just want to pick you up and carry you around with me!" -Jaron D.

"You better stop before I get sex hair." -Dallin W.


Don't worry, there will be more hilarious quotes coming. These were just a few of the top of my head ;)

Oh Happy Day!!

Oh my wordy!! How blessed I feel on this beloved day! Haha...but seriously! Most of you probably know that ipods and water don't mix...at all. I mean sometimes sweat from you workin out with it unprotected can mess it all up. Well let me just tell you a little story. Once upon a time...my dear cousin and I went and did a little Christmas shopping. When we got home Kathryn was doing laundry. Kels and I hear, "Oh crap." So I replied, "What?" To my surprise, Kathryn comes around the corner holding my little nano ipod (the one I've been looking for for the past week) and she tells me she washed it. :( Apparently I had lost it in a pants pocket that had been dirty for a week ha. Anywho...I was a bit upset. I wasn't like raging with fury or anything like that. I shouldn't have been because I still have an ipod touch that I love. It just doesn't have some of the music I really like that was on my nano. My dad told me that it was done for. There was no hope. I blow-dryed it anyway for a long time to dry it out as much as I could and I took off the skin that was on it. Then I plugged it in to my computer when I went to work, thinking perhaps it wouldn't turn on because it was dead. When I got home from work I opened up my computer and I heard the sound it makes when something connects to it. I was so confused. Then I look down at my little nano and see a very faint "connected" and little picture on the screen! I pretty much freaked out haha. I kept thinking no way! no way! no way! But sure enough it was on. I pulled up itunes and it was connected and I can listen to the music that's on there! Crazy stuff right? Well I kept it plugged in and now it looks like the picture below. You can still see some water in there, but it's not bad really. Tomorrow I'm going to pull off all the music that's on there and put it on my computer. It truly is a miracle that it works. I certainly was blessed today! Yay for my tough ipod!! :)

ginger...?

Yes...I'm a redhead now!!! And I love it oh so much!! My dear friend Katy did it for me and she is awesome! :) I'm so glad I went to her! Anyhwo, I will say that it is a lot of work to have and maintain red hair though. There are a few things I have to do, which I must say are some serious sacrifices haha. First, I can't go swimming, or get in chlorine. I'm not sure what it will do, but I know the chemicals in the chlorinated water and the dye in my hair don't go well together haha. Second, I have to wash my hair in COLD water!!! Cold showers are like my least favorite thing in the whole world haha. But...I will make that sacrifice because I love my hair and I want it to last :) There are other little things I need to do like use professional shampoo and heat protectant, etc. It's pretty fun stuff haha. Would you like to see pictures? I knew you would haha! Here they are: :)

Thankfulness!!

Oh my! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I cannot believe it's already here! (Christmas is only a month away! Weird. Haha) Today I just have to tell how grateful I am! My heart is full...literally haha. I'm so grateful for my friends and family that have always been there for me. I'm grateful for missionaries and their strong spirits and uplifting words :) I'm grateful to have a warm house to be in during this cold cold winter. I'm grateful for the food I have to eat everyday. I'm grateful for the job that I have. I'm grateful for parents who are still married after 30 years and going strong. I'm grateful for my siblings and the love we all share and the examples they are to me. I'm grateful for my ukulele and piano and how they can turn my mood around like nothing else haha. I'm grateful for music. I'm grateful that I have an opportunity to go to school and to learn and grow in all aspects. I'm grateful for this beautiful world!! I can't get enough sunsets or mountain hikes, etc! Haha. I could go on and on and on, but the thing that I am most grateful for, is this Gospel. I know that without it, I would not be who I am or where I am today. I know that my Savior lived and died for me. I will be eternally indebted to him for that, but certainly eternally grateful for it. I'm grateful that my Heavenly Father will never turn his back to me when I make mistakes. I'm grateful that I know that there is a life after death that I can share with those I love. I am just grateful that I can be called a Latter Day Saint.

I hope you all have a fantastic day of Thanksgiving :) I know I will! Woot!!

freedom

Do any of you have a hobby or just something that you do that is an escape? An escape from the world and life's problems? My escape...is dance. It is so powerful. I can express myself and my feelings without words. I don't have to talk or write something, I simply move. There is something so relaxing and free about letting your body take control. The burn in my legs, the sweat down my back, the tightening of my abs all release the very emotions and thoughts that I can't express in words. It is truly amazing. Being on the dance floor, to me, is like stepping into a new world. I'm not judged or misunderstood. I'm not stereotyped or a topic of gossip. This new world is real and honest. It's beautiful. I hope that when people watch me dance they can feel my love for it. I want them to feel as if they too are a part of this new world we are creating with movement. Ugh! It is just so awesome. I just recently had the opportunity to perform in the Weber State University Orchesis Dance Concert entitled, "DancEffect." It was absolutely amazing. I got to work with amazing dancers and I really learned and discovered how much I truly love to dance. Dance is my happy place. It's my passion. It's my "free."

tears....

of Hope.



of Regret.



of Love.



of Longing.


...and tears of Joy.

Je déteste dire au revoir!

Today was the last day I got to see Elder Huber in the flesh for the next two years. I cannot believe it. It still feels as though I'm in some sort of dream. I keep thinking, oh don't worry we'll hang out this weekend....but we won't. Our relationship now has shifted. We are connected through letters and emails now. I can't call him and chat, I can't drive down to his house and hang out. We communicate through the written word. I've heard stories of how writing can really work wonders to strengthen relationships. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I love to write letters, especially when I know I'll get one in return :) Though I'm looking forward to writing...it certainly did not make saying goodbye any easier. Elder Huber has been my best friend for the past 2 years and 8 months. I'm going to miss him sooooo much. But I know this is what he needs to be doing right now. I fully support him and am so happy and proud of the man...well boy in a man's body....that he has become. You will be awesome Edward! The Samoan people will just love you!! :)

Here are a couple bands that I have recently become obsessed with :) You should certainly look them up, and if so let me know if you enjoy them as much as I do.

They are pretty much amazing! Enjoy :D

Awkward Donny

I have been dubbed...Awkward Donny at work. It's all Gage's doing haha. I don't know why, but for some reason he feels that I am awkward ;) Do you think that I am awkward? I mean crazy, yes of course, but awkward? I'm just not sure about haha. I am starting to believe that customers think my name is Donny. Sometimes Gage doesn't even remember my first name...well my real first name. Weird! It's kind of hilarious though. I don't think that anyone else I work with has a nickname...I'm not sure why ha. But alas, I am who I am, be it awkward or not. And sure you may call me Awkward Donny, but I will always be Laura. Laura is who I am even if everyone calls me something else.

I am Laura :)

party time!!!

So tonight I went to my second concert ever. It was purty neat! Ingrid is pretty much hilarious! She talked maybe a bit more then I would have liked, but she made me laugh so it was all good :) She's very honest and down to earth which I think is pretty cool, and she doesn't try to fake anything. Plus she has amazing music! Anywho...to tell you about my night, I tried to get anyone and everyone to go with me to this concert, but no one would. My friends were either un-interested, or busy. So finally, after weeks of attempts, I got Eddie to come with me! He was not very excited haha. In fact he really was super bummed that he was going...but I think he actually enjoyed it. It might not have been his number one choice of things to do, but he didn't hate it, so to me that's a success haha. But, back to the story: Eddie and I met up downtown and then went for dinner. We had some delicious Barbacoa! My goodness it tasted so good! Eddie didn't even finish his burrito. I'm a bit dissappointed, but I finished mine and was very satisfied with that! So after that our scrumptrulecent meal, we headed to the Venue, where the concert was to take place. There was a ginormicous line! Like it pretty much went around the block, and I had no idea where to go to get my tickets from will call. Eddie dropped me off and went to park whilst I found out some info on the tickets. Sly me but into the line at the very front and I'm SOOOOO glad I did because it started snowing and it was ridiculously freezing outside! Because of my awesome butting skills, we got in relatively fast and were pretty close to the stage. "The Guggenheim Grotto" opened for Miss Michaelson. They were fantastic! 1) because I loved there music and 2) because they were Irish and both had super sexy voices haha. I got a free download thing to get one of their songs! I'm certainly going to get it :) They played four or five songs and then after forever Ingrid Michaelson finally came on! She didn't play my favorite song which was kind of a bummer, but she was so funny and the music was fantastic! I won't lie, by the end I was getting pretty tired. (It didn't help that it took forever to get in and then forever to get started.) There was actually a girl right next to me that I think had her knees locked up and she totally passed out. It kind of scared me. I am pretty sure she is fine though. Hopefully she won't do that again haha. Basically, I had a blast and I would love to go to another one of her concerts! If anyone is interested just let me know :)




Here are some pictures from the show (and perhaps some video as well haha):

This is us freezing while waiting outside the doors.

This is the awesome Guggenheim Grotto

Ingrid and her bandmates!

Us in the super crowded Venue!

Change.



I feel that recently change has become a major component in my life. As I look back on the past couple of years, months, and even weeks, it's change that sticks out the most to me. Change effects everyone in different ways. I think a lot of times it can be super overwhelming and discouraging. Some might say that it is just a matter of perspective, but I honestly feel that there are times when perspective doesn't change the severity or seriousness of change. The hardest part about change for me, is learning to adapt. I'm the kind of person that finds a groove that works and sticks with it. When there is an obstacle (change) in my "groove" I have a hard time settling into a different one. Being forced to change is helping me to overcome that though. I am finding a new me amidst all the changes. I am learning my vulnerabilities and my weaknesses. But at the same time I am beginning to notice my strengths. The one thing that I have to point out is that no matter the change, be it good or bad, we need to remember the Lord. If it is a good change, we need to be appreciative and show our gratitude. If it is a bad, well, more difficult change, we need to turn to the Lord for strength and guidance. It's during the hard changes that we seclude ourselves from Him. We expect and want someone to be there to help us through it, but we shut Him out. This is especially hard for me. I want a physical body that is here on this earth to come hold me and let me cry on their shoulder. It's hard for me to turn to the Lord. But really if you think about it, it shouldn't be hard at all. Who knows better what I'm feeling than Christ? Ya He's not here in a mortal body to hold me, but I can feel Him if I choose to. He will touch me so that I know He is close by and He is listening to my every word. He is crying for me, and crying with me. A good good friend of mine reminded me recently, that when you feel so alone that you just don't know what to do, you have two options. You can either: 1) get angry and push everyone and everything away and feel hurt and regret, or 2) read your scriptures and pray so that the Lord can take over and get you through. I'm sure that each of us has probably chosen each of those at some point. As sad as it is to admit, I have a tendency to lean towards option 1. I know option 2 will make me stronger. It will make me happier and more confident, and when I remember that, it's easier to turn to the Lord.


Change is a test. A test of our faith, our patience, and our character. When things get rough and tough for me, I will remember that the Lord is there to build me up. With Him on my side, I can take on any change that comes my way.

the basement :(

So...I live in the basement. To some that might seem fantastic, but I'm starting to not like it as much as it gets colder ha. There isn't a separate heating system down here which sucks so bad! Only our landlord has control over the heat and he seriously keeps it at like 60! I think the highest he's ever had it was like 63. Ugh! It freakin kills me because it's butt-freakin-freezing down here, ALL the time! Thank goodness I brought my little space heater up here. Tonight we sat around that little heater for dinner haha. It's kind of pathetic. Bill the landlord did tell us to just text him if we need the heat up, but it really just isn't the same if we don't have control over it. I think that it might actually be against the law or something for him to rent out the basement without having that. Meh...oh well. I will just have to adapt to the cold. I'm thinking also that soon we will need to start using our fireplace ha. Anywho...I just needed to vent for a minute about how I hate being cold and I live in an icebox. Pray I don't freeze to death when winter really comes haha. :)

banana muffins!

Ok before I go into the topic of this post, I just have to mention that I love to cook! I am really a picky eater, but I'll make anything haha. On Sunday I made delicious Chile Verde burritos (thanks to Liz for the recipe) and today I made this absolutely delicious chicken! So much fun :) I like that I have to get creative with our meals because we don't just have a ton of groceries on hand. All in all, I love to cook, and bake, and eat! Now back to the topic...banana muffins are amazing!!!! Holy poop! I just can't get enough of them haha. Kelsey has made them the past two times and they were simply phenomenal! I think that we will be making lots of those in the near future. Kool-aid and banana muffins are now our food staples at our abode! Woot woot! Perhaps I will go make some right now...they are a good breakfast food. Especially when you are out of cereal as we are at this time ha. Plan on there being some of this goodness if anyone ever wants to come visit. Au revoir et bon apetite!

a boost of confidence

I know that two posts in one night is a bit ridiculous...but I just have to share a wee bit about my experience. My braces are no more! Woot woot! I had them removed on October 7, 2010. Wow it is seriously amazing haha. I suppose I should feel lucky that I only had them for a year and 8 months. I know that a lot of people have them for a lot longer than that, but nonetheless, I wanted them off so bad. I don't regret getting braces. They did wonders on my teeth. What bugged me the most was that I had them at a dumb point in life haha. My senior year of high school and first year of college. I have always been younger then the people in the same year of school as me. And it just makes it worse when you have braces. I felt like a little kid and I honestly think that a lot of people saw me that way. Well...now I don't have them! I feel older, I look older, and I now believe that I am older haha. I love not having braces. It definitely was a confidence booster. I feel pretty...oh so pretty! I feel pretty and witty and....cool :) I can smile with pride! Holla!

managing my time

So I've never been good at managing my time. I always always taken on more than I can handle. I think it is some sort of disease haha. I'm going to call my disease...ilmanagitis. It's said, eel-man-a-gi-tis. I hate this disease. Oh. so. much. I have decided to fight it. I talked to my mom the other day and she gave me some really good tips and pointers on managing my time and sort of scheduling my life out...if you will. I am making a commitment to myself to be better. I am going to be motivated. I am blessed with so much and I should not be taking advantage of it. I will work hard and push myself to be organized and do all that I can without killing myself. I think we all have some version of ilmanagitis. And we all have to come up with some way to overcome our weaknesses. It's nice to have a mom to go to that knows exactly what it's like to have a full plate. I love you mom. Thanks! :)

raspberry sorbet = pure deliciousness!!

Um...ya!!

Ingrid is coming to concert! Need I say more??

rope climbing

I'd like to explain to you a little about rope climbing. When rope climbing you get into a harness tie yourself to a rope and climb the wall. On the other end of the rope is another person. They are your belayer. They are there to catch you and hold you up if you need a break or slip and fall. When climbing, you start with the yellow dots or the easy problems first. As you build strength and get better, you move on to green dots and blue dots and black dots...etc. etc. Climbing is not a sport that you are just good at all at once. Yes there are people that it comes easier to, but you have to progress in climbing. You do that by building muscles and working as many problems as you can. You can't quit on yourself. A lot of times it is discouraging when you can't get to the top and finish a problem. There are times (especially in rope climbing) when you arms and legs are just too exhausted to go any farther. What you have to remember in situations like this when you are climbing, is that you have a belayer. They are there for you. And if you are too tired to pull up onto one more thing, you can sit and rest your arms and legs for picking back up where you left off. If you don't quit, and have patience, you are certain to reach the top.

This is so much like our lives. We are thrown into life here and we just get moving. We all have hard times in our life. Each is specific to us, like a specific problem on the wall. As we climb up or go through trials it tends to get harder and harder. We have to remember that we have a support system. Whether it be family or friends or our Father in Heaven, there is someone there to hold us up and keep us safe when we feel like we can't go any farther. And then when we are ready to move on, they are right there ready to help us up. As you continue to go through trials and hard times, we grow and become stronger and better people. Then when more trials, and harder trials come our way, we have the strength to get through them and the trust in our support system to make it through no matter how challenging. If you trust, have patience, and believe you have the strength, you will reach the top. It's guaranteed.

And this is what I learned at our family gathering at the climbing gym. It was a fantastic night :)

last night

Last night was a roller coaster of so many different emotions it was crazy! I must say though, that I have one amazing BF. There has been so much on my mind and I just broke down and he was totally there for me. I just spilled out a lot of what I've been going through and feeling. I'm so glad that he is "in-tune" with the spirit. He gave me advice that we both know was inspired. It helped me so much and I can already see a difference in my attitude and such. I just have to give a little shout out to him and tell him thanks! He's awesome! Life is going to be hard when he heads out on his mission, but I know that he'll love it and do amazing things. Life will continue on and we will keep in touch with letters. Woot Woot! Thanks Liz and Dee for raising an amazing son! :D

plans for the future

I still have not decided on a major or career choice...but I do think I have found something that I would just love to do! I'm currently taking French and I absolutely love it. It's kind of complicated and confusing some, but it's a beautiful language and I hope to be amazing at it one day. To go along with that, I think that I will minor in French. My plan is to follow in my dear cousin's teacher's footsteps haha. After I graduate, or maybe after I just get that minor, I am going to move to France. There I plan to be a nanny and work lots :) That way my French will improve, and I will be able to learn so much more about the people and their culture. I think it sounds absolutely fabulous! I've always wanted to go to France, but living there and being a part of life there would be splendid!! I was talking to my sis Casio about it, and if we can find some cool PA/governmentness happening there, then she is coming with me :) I cannot wait. Alas...I do still need to decide on a major, but this whole nanny business has got me really excited about French! Wish me luck! Au revoir!

Cry?...I wish

I am sure that I am not the only one in the world to have those times in life where you just want to cry. When life becomes so unbearable that you just want to curl up into a ball and cry away, what do you do? I'm having a really hard time managing all of my stress and emotions. Seriously, I'm to the point where I'm starting to literally just feel exhausted and sick because there is so much. Work. School. Friends. Dance. Maintaining my house. All of these things just seem to be piling up! I work best when I'm in a crunch, but this crunch is putting me out of commission. I am un-motivated (I don't even know if that is a word ha) to do anything. My Mom loves to remind me that I have limits and that I can't do everything. I don't know why I don't take that to heart. Instead I try to kill myself with taking on so much. But anywho...enough sadness. Yes I am stressed and yes I just want someone to cry to, but that's why I'm a Latter Day Saint. I have my Heavenly Father and Brother to turn to when things get crazy. They know what I'm going through and know how to help me. Yes...I find myself wishing there was a person I could cry to that would just come on over to my house whenever I needed it, but really I can just talk to my Father. Prayer is how I will talk to him, and when I need advice or words of wisdom from Him, I'll read my scriptures. A good cry I feel is quite necessary, and I know He would love to here from me. Hopefully my chats with him will uplift my spirits and keep me sane.

nourriture

So...I'm in a Nutrition class right now and I just can't decide if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I love learning all the facts and details about food and labeling, etc. but it's opening my eyes to a lot of things that I would be happy not knowing. I just don't know what to eat anymore haha. In fact I'm almost considering going vegetarian...probably only part vegetarian because I just can't give up meat :) Anywho...there is a lot that we don't realize about food. I'm going to start paying a lot closer attention to the food that I eat, and hopefully make myself a little healthier! Woot woot!

wishes

There are so many things I find myself wishing for these days. I wish I could run away and travel the world. I wish I loved school the way I used to in elementary school. I wish I knew what I wanted to major in. I wish I knew what was in my future. The list goes on and on. When I first find myself wishing for things, I feel as though there isn't anything I can do. As if they are out of my control. But that is quite silly of me! I have absolute control over my thoughts, attitude, and action. Having control is a God-given gift and I need to take control of my life. Instead of wishing, I'm going to make it happen. One day, I'll travel. I will love school. I will decide a major. With prayer, scripture study, and some faith I will find myself granting my wishes. What are your wishes? Is there something you can do to make them reality?

Brace Face No More!!

Oh my Hannah Montana!!! The days of my braces are almost over!! In fact they are just around the river bend! Holla! I didn't really mind having braces, but having them in college is really quite a bummer. Braces are not the bummer, it's the fact that everyone thinks I'm way super young. Basically a child among adults haha. It doesn't help that I am actually a wee bit younger than everyone. Fear not! Those days are soon going to be behind me :) I think I will totally do a post with before and after pictures! Anywho...I just wanted to share that happy thought with you all! Au revoir!

what to do

Oh college. Why do you do this to me? Everyone tells me that there is no limit to what I want to do, but that is the problem for me. There are so many things that I love and am interested in that I can't focus on one thing. Choosing a career is a HUGE deal! I mean think about it. There are so many aspects that you have to consider. Do I want to do this for the rest of my life? Will the career I choose allow me to have a family? Will the money I make be sufficient to support myself and family and leave me enough to do all the things I wanted to do when I'm older? Where will I have to go to work? Is there something I want to do more? It stresses me out. I thought that I knew what I wanted to do, but I'm completely lost. I've made lists on lists of different careers and nothing is helping. Why can't I just have one thing that I'm really good at, that I know I'm passionate about and could turn it into a career? I've been raised to know that I have the potential to do whatever my heart desires, but what if I can't determine what that is? Is there a possible reason I can't decide on a career/major? I just wish I had the answers to everything but I don't. Instead, I just take classes and get myself interested in tons more. My classes are supposed to help me narrow down all of my choices...it is just adding to them. I really hope that one day I'll be able to figure it all out and go in the direction that is going to make me happy.

Jebbica

I'm sure that most of you have a friend out there that you just love pretty much more than anything...well Jessica is mine.

She is probably one of the greatest friends I've ever had. I cannot even begin to say how much I missed her over the summer. We spent some real quality time together today for the first time since she moved back two weeks ago. Instantly we were laughing our heads off and talking about all the wonderful and hard things in life that best friends talk about. It's so nice that she is there for me. I know I can talk to her about anything and there will be no judging (most of the time haha) and she'll give me advice that I know will help me all the days!

She is absolutely fantastic in every way and I'm lucky to call her my best friend.

I love you Jess!

Koooool-aid

Oh Yeah. (That was a super deep manly voice like the actual kool-aid guy haha) Anywho...I absolutely LOVE kool-aid! It is just so wonderful! My awesome cousin and I have seriously and sincerely grown to be quite fond of it. Not only are there tons of delicious flavors to choose from, but you also drink a lot more water. I've never really liked drinking water. I remember when my family would go backpacking and my dad would get upset with me because I wasn't drinking enough water. I don't know why, but it would make me sick if I drank a lot. When I dance or work-out super hard I do need water and I will drink a lot, but kool-aid is "aiding" me in the obtaining of eight glasses a day, that according to most health specialists we need :) It has sugar which some people would say is a downside, but to me it's a definite plus. Kelsey and I always go crazy when we drink and we have some great memories already. I love it so much and I think that we will have kool-aid in our house all of the time, unless we are out of it or sugar haha. If you ever want some, come on over!

Fall 2010

The new semester has begun, and holy Hannah Montana has it flipped my world around. I thought that I was excited and ready for school to begin...but I've discovered you simply can't ever be ready for it or super excited haha.

I'm slightly nervous about this semester. I know that I'm going to have soooo much homework and for some ridiculous reason I cannot manage my time very well. I procrastinate too haha. I really just hope that I will be able to organize myself enough to stay on top of everything, especially since I will be working as well.

Hmmm...I say enough negativity! I will do well in school! I will love working and excel there! I will manage my time well! And...I will love this year :) In all honesty I am excited to be back at Weber. I have grown to love this school and the friends I've made here. It's going to be a fantastic year and I can't wait...for it to be over haha...but I also can't wait to really get into it!

Wish me luck! (And good luck to all who are in school as well!)

Pizza Artist!

So I have started my new job! I'm working at Papa Murphy's again. My cousin and uncle are business partners and have franchised a couple of the stores. One in Holladay, one in Sandy, and now one in Ogden! :) I actually have worked for them before at the Holladay store, but I had to quit. It was during high school...and basically my life was crazy haha. So anywho...my wonderful cousin Kelsey is our manager and Kathryn and I are just working there so we can have money for groceries and other necessities. I will admit I was a bit nervous to start working there again. I had grown quite fond of working in Park City and for the Huber family. They are pretty much amazing in every way and I wasn't sure I was ready to let go of that job. But alas, I could not be spending hours driving to and from work while also being in school full time. It was just too much. Basically this whole Papa Murphy's store here in Ogden was a total blessing. It really couldn't have been any better. Moving on...I totally love work!! It is so much fun. We're always busy so time goes by really fast and all the people that work there are cool to work with so that's always nice haha. Since both Kathryn and I have worked there before Kyle and Kelsey just had us jump right into everything. I will admit it was a bit overwhelming! Especially since I haven't worked there for like 2 years or more. Sheesh! Haha. Lucky for me, everything came back and I was running register and making pizzas like I'd never left. I have to admit, I'm still really slow at making pizzas...but I'm getting better :) I'm grateful I have a job here that I enjoy. I'm not going to be completely broke this year! Woot woot! And hopefully soon I will officially grow up and start paying for my own things ha. I've been quite spoiled. My parents pay for just about everything! I'm very grateful of course but it's time I start paying for my own things, and this job will make it possible! If you are ever in Ogden, stop by and grab a pizza!

The xx - Islands

Ok everyone...this is my new favorite band. The XX. They are from London and only like 20 years old! Gosh I love them so much :) This one isn't my all time favorite but I just recently decided I love the music video. I'm all about modern dance and this video combined modern dance and awesome music, hence the reason I love it so much ha! Enjoy!! :D

waiting...

I've always considered myself a patient person. I do have a tendency to get mad over silly things, but if I do it's because I've let things build up inside of me. Typically speaking...I'm well reserved, I try not to complain, and I do my best to get along well with everyone. Patience to me is a very important and should be a very desired attribute in a person. I admire and look up to people that put up with so much and do it with such class that I actually get kind of jealous of them. I could certainly name at least 5 people that I look up to in that way, but I think that is too personal for this post. Anywho...I am patient, but I'm starting to feel less and less patient everyday. I don't know what it is. I feel like I'm going crazy. Like something has snapped and now I'm paranoid and frustrated and, of course losing my patience. I hate waiting. Especially waiting with expectations. Why is it that I can't just focus on every day, one at a time, and be happy with everything that I have instead of wanting more from it? What do I do when I want something so bad but can do nothing but wait because there is nothing I can do to make anything happen faster? I just feel helpless when I have to wait. I want to be in charge and in control and I'm still trying to learn how to handle situations when I can't be in charge or in control. Ugh. I guess I'm just rambling now. To sum everything up...I'm patient, but not when it comes to waiting for things. Perhaps one day I will learn to not let the wait bug me. This actually brought a quote to my mind from the awesome cartoon "Avatar: The Last Airbender." It's by this hippie guy and his wife...they say, "You need to focus less on the where and more on the going." Tweaking that to fit this situation, I would say I need to focus more on what's here and now and less on what I expect and am waiting for.

ook-oo-le-le

Ukulele. Ukulele. Ukulele. I could just say that word over and over again. Not only because it's a pretty radical word, but mostly because I love the uke. Growing up, I've always had polynesian friends, and thus been exposed ukulele music. I always liked it, but it wasn't until high school that I realized just how much. I have a passion for the ukulele. It's filled the place of the piano right now in my life since I can't exactly take my piano with me to college, and I don't own a keyboard. There is something about that the ukulele that just makes everything in life better. I play when I'm stressed or angry or upset, and it's almost like the uke takes my mind out of all the craziness of this world and puts it in my..."happy place" haha :) I have a uke with me pretty much all of the time. I keep one in my car just in case I ever want it and then I have two at home. They are my babies. I dream about being an amazing ukulele player. I'm going to keep teaching myself and hopefully the long hours of playing around with it will pay off. Perhaps I'll move to Hawaii and take lessons haha. Who knows?! It's certainly possible I guess. Below are the ukes that I own right now...and one day I plan to make one all on my own! With the help of my dad haha. Don't worry, I'll post something about it when it happens ;) Tofa! Aloha! Nofo a e!