Basically I'm On My Way to Australia

crazy cat lady? No. crazy guinea pig lady.

2012-01-17T14:52:00.002-07:00

Once, I got a guinea pig.

I was lonely.

So I brought him home.

And I love him.

He looks something like this.

He doesn't love me yet.

But don't worry, he will.

He has quite a few names:

Chuckie, Julio, Gus-Gus.

Haven't decided on a permanent one yet.

Mainly, I just call him Piggy.

He's just a little guy.

But I think we're going to be real happy together.

As soon as he figures out that he needs to eat his vegetables.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. That's a famous quote, right?

2012-01-12T23:13:00.002-07:00

I am loving school this year.

I know that it is only the beginning, but I love what I have already.

My most favorite is my Transatlantic Literary History class.

I'm taking it with my friend Parker and that just makes it even more fun.

Today, our reading assignment was Mary Wollstonecraft.

Parker told me he had a crush on her.

I thought he was silly.

Then I read her stuff.

Now I have a crush on her.

In a time where women didn't have a lot of rights, she defied societies standards and did as she pleased.

In her short life she

opened a school

taught herself French and German

supported her sisters, father, and the family of her best friend who had passed away

wrote and reviewed books for a publishing company

wrote many great responses to other works of her day

fell passionately in love

twice

Oh, did I mention that she was the mother of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin?

You probably know her better as Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.

Wollstonecraft wasn't afraid of the world she lived in.

I can't get over how much I admire her.

In her Vindication of the Rights of Women she says,

"I wish to shew that elegance is inferior to virtue, that the first object of laudable ambition is to attain character as a human being, regardless of the distinction of sex."

Basically, she's super cool.

Way ahead of her time.

And brilliant.

And passionate.

A gift guide. For me. Duh!

2011-12-07T16:57:00.003-07:00

The new She & Him songbook

(vol 1 or 2 would do nicely)

$16

A mason jar night light

$18

A romantic star projector

$22

biarritz maillot zig zag swim suit

$too much

A mustache sweater.

(don't know where to get this)

A superman snuggie

$33

Oh, and if you're near Trader Joe's, please pick me up some of these.

I will be yours forever.

You're welcome, Santa.

from the Thoughts Catalog

2011-11-28T15:58:00.002-07:00

You Are the Sun

1:00 am

2011-11-18T14:48:00.003-07:00

Lying in bed, almost asleep, when my phone lights up.

Him: Are you asleep yet?

Me: Nope. What's up?

Him: Just wanted to say hi :)

Because apparently he didn't see enough of me that day or something.

Fantastic.

I'm just like, the best cartoon character ever

2011-11-15T00:48:00.004-07:00

My friend Joey
(who is, by the way, one of my most favoritest of people in the whole wide world)
drew a picture of me.

Isn't he talented?
He really captured my essence.
All the way down to the crazy face, the hand gestures that make no sense, and the bangs that won't ever stay down.
(Sigh. Those bangs are going to be the death of me. What was I thinking when I cut them?)

Basically, I have been begging him for a picture of me for awhile.
I never imagined that it would be so perfect.
I seriously love it SO much.
So much.

His bloggity blog has more of his works.
But none are as cool as this one.
I promise.

Four the Record

2011-11-14T11:08:00.002-07:00

I've had Miranda's new album for a bit now.
I was an idiot for not listening to it.
Because as my roommate plays it while we make breakfast,
I realize that this is all I am going to listen to for the next 10 years.

Text of the Day

2011-11-14T11:06:00.003-07:00

"Sorry for keeping you up, throwing you into the bushes and picking your nose and putting your boogers in your mouth while you slept..."

Guess who it's from?

fezzes are cool

2011-11-03T20:39:00.001-06:00

I chose to be the Doctor for Halloween.
More pictures from the awesome Cali trip later.

Costume Ideas

2011-10-17T11:07:00.002-06:00

Halloween is coming up.

I'm so excited!

It really is one of my most favorite holidays.

This year, I'm going to LA for a big ol Halloween party at a friend's house.

And I obviously need a great costume.

I just don't know what.

So here are some of my current ideas.

I need to get crackin this week so that it's ready in time, whatever it is.

So, what shall it be?

A pumpkin?

A scarecrow?

Or the Doctor?

(that's the one in the middle with the fez.)

Do you have any other fabulous ideas for me?

Society6 cravings

2011-10-17T09:23:00.004-06:00

I am so obsessed with Society6 today.

I really want this laptop skin.

What pretty things have you found today?

I feel kinda famous today...

2011-10-17T09:15:00.001-06:00

Guys.

My favorite blog, Yes & Yes, has a little post by me.

It's a true story about being home schooled.

You should go read it.

Here.

Whenever I come home, people ask my about my relationship status

2011-08-25T15:39:00.004-06:00

Tavi's been making me feel real good lately.
That is not real.
He is making me feel inferior to my mother and unsuccessful in the man department.
A 5 year old should not make me wonder what I am doing wrong.

Example 1:

Tavi knocks on the door with flowers.
Tavi: These are for her {meaning my mom}. They are not for you. They are always for her.

I wish someone would bring ME flowers.

Example 2:

Tavi: Wait, why aren't you a mommy? Where are your babies? Do you have a husband?
Me: Nope, I'm not a mommy and I'm not married.
Tavi: Well why don't you have a husband?
Me: I can't find one.
Tavi: Have you checked your church? I bet you could find a good husband at your church.

Yeah, it SOUNDS like a good plan. But it's not really worked these past few years.

Example 3:

Tavi: Are you sure you're not a mommy? Because you have poky legs and crazy hair like my mommy and Michee {Michee is what he calls my mom.}

Sorry I forgot to shave my legs, kid.

Geez.
This I've not been asked these sorts of questions...um...ever?
Oh 5 year olds.

But he's real cute.

Waffles

2011-08-22T19:29:00.002-06:00

Guys. My new favorite video.
Samuel showed it to me and I cannot stop laughing.
I think that I've watched it more than 20 times in the past few days.

He ate a jellyfish.
A jellyfish!
Ah.
I love it.

I love Julian Smith.
He is so cute.

Dear 3 am, we should really stop meeting this way. I'd much rather sleep with you.

2011-08-04T03:35:00.004-06:00

I know I should be asleep, but my new roomies have been keeping me up late.
Ok, they're not really my roomies.
Just my neighbors.
But they are fab.

Also, Imany.
Get in my ear.
Please and thank you.

"Yeah, well it's boring now, isn't it? They're boring-ers! They're blue... boring-ers!"

2011-08-01T11:51:00.004-06:00

Last night, I asked my roommate what she was doing.
Her answer led me to a conversation that astounded me.

Roomie: "I'm playing MarioCart because I'm bored."
Me: "What? Bored? How are you bored?"
Roomie: "Whenever I'm not with people, I'm bored. I'm bored whenever I'm alone."
Me: "WHAT?! HOW?! I DO NOT UNDERSTAND."

I do not think that I have ever been bored in my whole life.
How does one become bored?
Who even invented boredom?
Bored of what?
What is there possibly to be bored of when you are alone?

I love being alone.
I am so entertaining to myself!
There is so much to think about!
There is so much to do!

This quote by Louis CK sums it up what I think perfectly:

"I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to say ‘I’m bored."

— Louis CK

Yeah yeah yeah!

On the title: {Points if you know what it's from} You do not have a blue boring-ers in your life. Do not press them. Do not make things boring. It's a choice.

Also, here is some good advice for your Monday:

Thoughts on Being a Superhero (with some James McAvoy)

2011-07-30T01:19:00.003-06:00

I just got home from seeing X-Men: First Class for the second time this week.
And after I finished swooning over James McAvoy's blue blue eyes, I got to thinking...
Which one would I be?
Which super power would I want to have?

Absorbing energy would be awesome!
Like Kevin Bacon (I never did catch his character's name...)
But what kind of use would I have for that?
I don't think anyone will be throwing grenades at me.
I might never realize that I even had that power.
But maybe exciting things find you when you have interesting abilities.

Changing form, like Mystique?
Awesome.
But I have no desire to be blue underneath it all.
(This is not cute.)

I'd love to adapt like Darwin.
I'd jump in the ocean and be a mermaid.
But it would get lonely.

I wouldn't chose the powers of Charles.
I have no desire to read minds or control people.

Magneto.
Too violent.
(But soooooo handsome! Have you seen Jane Eyre? Best Mr. Rochester ever.)

Basically, the conclusion I've come to is that I'm just fine as I am.
I like me.

But if I could, I would most definitely have super speed.
I really miss my family right now.
Can't wait to go home in 10 days!

(here's a picture of James. Because we can never have enough of him.)

The Book Thief

2011-07-25T12:28:00.003-06:00

Every once in a great while, I read a book that is real.

I don't usually read these books more than once.
That would not do them justice.
It would cheapen them.
And make them less than what they are.
These are not the Harry Potter's of your childhood.
These are bigger than that.

But the one time that I read these books, I see more.
I see more than me.
I see more than my surroundings.
I see everything that humanity has to offer.

I feel more.
I understand more.
And I want more.

These books are like lightening.
They flash quickly and do not last long.
If you are lucky, you just might see it illuminate the whole sky.
You didn't know what was there before that flash.
And then it is over.

But the thunder.
The thunder comes and it shakes into your soul.
You feel it all the way to your heart.
And if you are not prepared, then you are frightened.
The strength of it is overwhelming.
It doesn't last, but you don't forget.
And lightening will always make you shake in anticipation for the thunder.
The memory of the thunder is with you forever.

These books leave you weak.
These books leave you strong.
These books make your heart hurt.
You can't forget them, even if you tried.

The Book Thief is one of these.
I can't forget it.
I am more because of it.
Because Liesel Meminger is more than just a story.
She is a whole generation.
A whole country.
She is real.

Quidditch. The Muggle/Summertime Way.

2011-07-20T23:59:00.004-06:00

In honor of the last Harry Potter movie I give you...

Pool Quidditch!

Needed:
3-6 hula hoops {goals}
1 soccer ball {quaffle}
2 soft balls {bludgers}
1-2 live goldfish {snitch. The second is in case the first one dies too soon on you.}
14 fun noodles {in lieu of a broomstick.}
14 friends

Instructions:
Give the goldfish a 30 sec head start.
Play quidditch!
{If you don't know how to play, then you are lame.}
Also, you should probably use a pool that is very lightly chlorinated, so that the fish doesn't die and you don't feel like a murderer.

PS I loved the movie.
Sobbed through the whole thing.
A part of my childhood has ended.

Date a Girl Who Reads by Rosemarie Urquico

2011-07-12T23:06:00.002-06:00

Date a Girl Who Reads by Rosemarie Urquico

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas, and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by God, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.

Yeah 3xs!

2011-07-11T00:15:00.001-06:00

Birthday Madness

2011-06-29T16:31:00.003-06:00

I am 22 now.
A real big girl.
See that list over there on the side?
I haven't thought about it in awhile.
So it's going to get a make over.
Tomorrow.
Maybe tonight.

In the meantime, here is a picture of me enjoying pizza with my favorite Talana on my birthday.
I like this picture of me.
Because I like silly pictures.

I'm like crafty or something

2011-06-19T16:23:00.001-06:00

Once, I took 7 ugly chairs

worked real hard

and made them beautiful.

It was easy.
And I feel awesome for having done it.
Although my fingers are a bit sore.
Worth it.

A Modern Mephistopholes

2011-06-16T12:51:00.003-06:00

Oh look!
Rory Pond
{aka Arthur Darvill}
is going to be Mephistopholes.
In Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus.
At the Globe.
While I am in London.

He is going to be perfect.

More info here.

I like stuff.

2011-06-16T12:47:00.002-06:00

I keep finding the coolest things.
A transparent kayak?
Yes, please.

You want to give me $1500 so I can buy it?
You are so kind.

via

Summer is here and I work a lot and am really busy. That is why I am a bad blogger.

2011-06-16T12:43:00.002-06:00

I have been the worst blogger ever.
But I'm coming back.
Starting with JCrew.

I would wear every one of these outfits.

via

Cinco de Mayonnaise

2011-05-14T00:19:00.001-06:00

Last week we had a fabulous Cinco de Mayo party!
It was the best.
Here are some pictures.

First, we signed in.

There was yummy stuff to drink.

And an angry bird full of candy.

we had balloon hats and sombreros

interpretive dancing to Celine Dion (and believe me, it's all coming back to me now)

men who showed off their skills with a whip

some who actually snapped out burning candles

and others who just snapped the back of their necks

there was a little bit of kissing

Talana was sad that the flamingo did not appear as excited as Jake did about the kissing

oh, and Justin Beiber was there.
he grew a mustache just for the occasion
or maybe that was Ryan...

all in all, it was a fabulous night!

Music... Thursday?

2011-05-12T13:25:00.000-06:00

Here's the current soundtrack to my life for ya.
It's sounding pretty good to me.

Devendra Banhart - Brindo

Murray Gold - This is Gallifrey
(the best part of this one is at 2:05. I've listened to it over and over. I wish my life had an epic soundtrack and that I had a theme song.)

Adele - Someone Like You

Thompson Square - Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?

Easton Corbin - I'm a Little More Country Than That

The Bird and the Bee - My Love

Sara Barielles - Basketcase and Machine Gun

Frozen Yoghurt and Spandex

2011-05-09T13:23:00.004-06:00

On Saturday, I worked all day.
7 am to 11 pm.
So when a boy asked me to go get frozen yoghurt with him after wards, I jumped at the chance.
{It certainly helps that I maybe kind of like said boy. Just a little bit.}

Well, one of my little girls at work heard me telling another staff about it.
This little girl felt the need to offer me some advice.
The conversation went something like this:

Little Girl: You're going out after this for ice cream? Is this like a date?
Me: Umm I think so!
LG: Do you like this boy? What's his name? {Insert as many nosy questions that you don't want to answer here______}
Me: I'm not really going to answer those questions.
LG: Are you going to have time to change, if he's picking you up right after work?
Me: I don't need to change! I look pretty cute!
LG: Well, you have a stain on your shirt and you're wearing spandex under your skirt. There's no way you're going to get any with those one.
Me, laughing with tears: I'm mormon, so I'm not actually concerned about getting any.
LG: Oh, that's right. You guys can't have boyfriends or anything.
Me: Nope, we can most definitely have boyfriends.

Basically, I love my job, and I love my little girls.
For those of you who don't know, I work in a treatment center for teenage girls.
It's the best.
I'm still learning a lot, but it is so amazing to me.

So I thought it was a funny story.
And for your information, I thought the whole frozen yoghurt thing with the boy went smashingly.
I did not take off my spandex, aka underarmour.
{You never know what is going to happen at work. Be prepared.}

Perfectly Pointed Toes and Ruffles

2011-04-19T12:49:00.002-06:00

Here is an adorable ballerina butt to make you wish that you had chosen a different career path.
Ok, just me then.

2011-04-19T12:26:00.004-06:00

During finals week, the first thing to go is always the hairs.

Fanks for the curls, mom.
Low maintenance, Julia Roberts style.

Strange Beauty

2011-04-12T22:57:00.003-06:00

The vase on my dresser
Hold some strange beauty
Death more fascinating than life

The Green-Eyed Monster

2011-03-31T12:12:00.005-06:00

Last night I saw my favorite Jane Austen novel, Persuasion, on stage.
It was quite good!
(And it made me super excited for this!)

But I found myself getting a little bit jealous.
You see, the girl who played Louisa?
I knew her.
No, I went to Late Summer Honors with her our freshman year.
And there she was, on the stage.

And it hit me.

I want to be an actress!
I love the stage!
This is so unfair!
How is she there and I am not?

Thank goodness for Lady Smaggle and her guest post on my favorite blog, Yes and Yes.

Duh.

If I really wanted to be on the stage, then I would be working towards it.
And if sometime in the future I change my mind and decide that I do want to work in theatre, then maybe I'll actually make some goals and work towards them.

For now, I shall enjoy everyone else's hard work and sit in my plush chair and be entertained by the thousands of hours they've spent in dress rehearsals.
You are welcome to join me.

to be, or not to be

2011-03-24T14:12:00.004-06:00

My second post on this blog was about Shakespeare.
That lovely obsession sometimes lies dormant, only to rise up with intensity when I am reminded of it.

Because of this deep love of Shakespeare, it's safe to say that I love his Hamlet.
In my opinion, he is quite arguably the best tragic character ever written.
(Joey says that it's Batman, but I disagree. Shakespeare is as good as it gets as far as tragic figures go. No one else can even come close. 400 years has proved this.)

But with over 70 different film or tv interpretations (or so IMDB tells me) how am I to choose my favorite?
I have seen quite a few.
The basics-- Mel Gibson, Laurence Olivier, Kenneth Branagh.
The not so common-- Campbell Scott, Michal Czernecki.
But when I saw that David Tennant and Patrick Stewart did one last year, how could I resist?

And, of course, it is now my favorite.
Because Patrick Stewart makes me want to believe that Claudius is good, that he is not what Hamlet and the ghost suggest he is.
Because David Tennant's Hamlet is entirely and apologetically and utterly convincingly mad, without guilt or explanation, yet I still question whether he is or not. Naughty but so sweet that you want to forgive everything he does. I feel what he's feeling and am convinced that he is in the right, while knowing that his methods are sometimes immoral.
Because I cannot figure out Gertrude! What does she really believe? Why doesn't she understand her son? Why does she alienate him so? Her feelings seem genuine enough. Why do I believe her, but hate her, too?
Because Polonius is so annoying, but you still feel sorrow for his death.
Ophelia is the only one that is not what I would have her be. I love her in the beginning, but her madness is not a convincing transition from her cheerful state in the beginning. But then, I don't know if I shall ever understand Ophelia.

Shakespeare is always lovely to read, but his works were meant to be played.
And the Royal Shakespeare Company reminds me of this.

You doubt?
Let me convince you.

Creepy

2011-03-17T10:58:00.005-06:00

Talk to me about this.
There is no reason for me to expect anything besides an empty shower.
Yet I do.

I can't let my hand hang off the side of the bed.
There is nothing under my bed but suitcases and giant rubbermaid containers full of winter clothes.
So why do I feel like something is going to pull me under?

Do you ever feel like that?
The irrational fear that makes the back of your neck tingle?

Slim and a little bit foxy.

2011-03-15T22:30:00.005-06:00

Guess what?

Australia fell through.
I'm not going this summer.
Which is fine.
I have plenty of opportunities to go to Australia.

So, I've decided to do something else.
Namely, London.

It all started with David Tennant.

He decided to star with Catherine Tate in a production of Much Ado About Nothing this summer in the Wyndhams Theatre.
In London.

What, with his credentials and great hair?
{He's been Barty Crouch Jr., Doctor Who, Hamlet, Casanova...}
How could I resist an opportunity to go to London?

So Michelle and I bought tickets.
It was a spur of the moment decision.
And it has made this an incredible week.

I am dancing around at least once an hour, thinking about this wonderful opportunity.
We have found great flights and a place to stay.
So we're going to drive to Florida in August and fly out from there.

Awesome, huh?

You can be jealous now.

Also, here is a funny picture that makes me laugh.
I do not expect more than 3 people to get it/laugh and think it is funny.
I do expect my mother to get mad at me for swearing.
But I'm not swearing, Dumbledore is.
I just think it's funny.
Skip it if bad language offends you.

Quoteables

2011-03-07T14:09:00.001-07:00

Because we all love Vincent
{right? riiiggghhtttt......?}
I am copying this from Rebecca's blog.

Sometimes I wish I lived in an Airstream

2011-03-07T13:45:00.003-07:00

My recent addiction to Adele's new album and some other good music (thank you, Heaths) has made me want to hop into a car and drive drive drive.

A road trip.
By myself.
Toward sunshine.
And warmth.
With the radio super loud.
And lots of snacks.
And a beautiful destination in mind
(preferably hot sand and cool, salty water).
Or no destination in mind at all.

Unfortunately, I am between cars at the moment.

It is a good thing I live in a town as small as Provo.
It makes the car-less thing easier.

It is also a bad thing that I live in a town as small as Provo.
It makes escape seem so much more appealing.

Not that I'm not happy.
Because I am.
Very content, too.

I just like being alone.
And I like road trips.
And I like sunshine.

Unbothered

2011-03-07T11:54:00.004-07:00

"You're a weird kind of lazy, because you do things, but you do them terribly."
-Joey to me,
commenting on how I stuck a bag in the trash can, but didn't actually pull it up around the edges.

This is very true.
Last night I wore two different shoes because I was too lazy to look for the match.
I don't mind if my straps are twisted.
Or if the tongue of my shoe is shoved up.

It doesn't bother me.

I will fix it if I'm trying to look good, though.

I am a special kind of lazy.
Aware, but usually don't care.

Overheard at BYU

2011-03-02T13:13:00.003-07:00

I love my school.
But sometimes I hear funny things as I pass people on campus.

1. Random girl on telephone: "...she was feeding her boogers to my dog..."

2. Girl talking to friend: "Oh, I love tramp stamps! If I got a tramp stamp, it would be of a pair of angry eyes. Like Mr. Potato Head's angry eyes!"

3. Professor talking to class by some trees: "Just look at this one! You should all make time this week to come climb this tree."

Things I've Learned from Living with Stangers

2011-02-18T19:05:00.006-07:00

College brings some interesting stuff.
One of the most fascinating things to me is how we move in and share rooms/houses with complete strangers.
There are a few things that I've learned over the past 3 years.
Things that I now can't believe I never knew.
Here is my ultimate list.

1. Always bring your key when you step outside.
Even if you are just taking out the trash, odds are you'll get locked out, someone will pretend deafness, and you will wind up sleeping on your friend's couch.

2. The best way to get rid of your roomie's boyfriend that is glued to the couch is to walk out in your underwear.
Your roommate will not bring him back for a while.

3. No one will ever clean the bathroom or buy toilet paper.
So invest in a Costco sized amount of tp and 409 and swish and wipe each morning.

4. Four roommates with long dark hair = white carpet looking brown.
Invest in a good vacuum cleaner and/or make sure to live with someone obsessed with vacuuming.

5. If you decide you like a boy, odds are that your roommate is going to start liking him too.
Date people she doesn't know.

6. Most girls only like chick flicks.
So they are not going to respect your Star Wars/X-Files/Doctor Who marathons.

7. Your cold is someone else's hot and vice versa.
You could fight over the thermostat, but it is better to invest in a small heater or sleep with your window open.

8. Edit what you say if you don't want it to wind up on the quote board where everyone can see.
I am still trying to figure out why people are shocked when I'm naked and in love with gay men.
{Curse Johnny Weir's loveliness!}

9. Sleep is for losers without a social life.
Actually, I am the only person who goes to bed before midnight most nights.
So making smoothies for 6:00 am breakfast is not an option.

10. If you make a treat and do not offer some to your flatmates, you are a selfish b--.
Not my words.
Doesn't matter if you made it for an upcoming activity or a boy that you like.
Treats are property of anyone who resides in the house.

11. You can learn to hate someone you once loved based on their pathetic music tastes.
Rap and Emo should not be played so loud.

12. Some people hate animals.
So don't buy a pet snake without consulting the people you live with.

13. Spiders are a life and death situation.
Never take your eye off them until they are dead.

14. Some people can survive on the strangest food.
I had one roommate that I never saw eat anything besides ramen noodles, scrambled eggs, and mountain dew.
Another never ate at all.
And yet another was obsessed with potatoes.

15. Nothing is better than movies in blanket forts.
Musn't forget the blanket forts.

16. Sharing a room is wonderful.
Conversations at 2:00 am with the person in the bed across from you are fabulous.

17. Showers are better with loud music playing on the ihome.
Preferably country.

18. Costco water bottles are the only thing worth drinking.
Way better than Smart Water.

19. Finals week is fun week.
Pull all-nighters, eat tons of sweets, and watch massive amounts of silly television.

20. Brownies are the foundation of the food pyramid.
Never be without them on the counter.

21. When you wreck your car, they will come.
Regardless of recently removed wisdom teeth and the flu.
That is what friends do.

22. Pictures are awesome.
Document all fun events.
Specially road trips.

23. Scary things can be fun.
X-Files.
The Boomerang at 7 Peaks.

24. Games are fun!
But always have the strongest person on your team.
{I am very weak...}

25. Laundry need not be done every week.
If you plan it right
{and have enough clothes}
you can go all semester with only doing laundry once.
{Also in that picture, a pumpkin that sat by my bed for months. Pumpkins don't go bad.}

What is on your list of things that you have learned from living with roommates?

My first set of roommates (and one extra...who is that girl in the tie?)

Missing: The Best Shirt Ever

2011-02-09T14:13:00.003-07:00

Once, I had the best shirt ever.
It was magical.
I bought it when I was 15.
It never wore out.
I lost it awhile ago.
{Not sure when...}
I want it back.

Because where could it have gone?

I am sending out a blog cry for help, because I am sure that anyone who might have seen it last {aka borrowed it or something}
probably reads my blog.

It was white.
The collar bone up was a crocheted lace.
The neckline came up in the back.
And down in the front.
It was soft.
It was lovely.
I miss it.

Have you seen it?
Do you by some miracle have it among your things, misplaced in an apartment move?
If you do, please bring it to me.
If you do and are embarrassed, just leave it in my mailbox.

Here is a picture of me wearing it when I was 16 or 17.
The crazy hairs are obviously in the way of your view,
but if you've seen it, you might recognize it.

This was a fun day, by the way.
The Florida Aquarium with friends.
It might have even been a date or something.
Who knows.

Quoteables

2011-02-06T12:09:00.002-07:00

I am always doing that which I cannot do,
in order that I may learn how to do it.
~Pablo Picasso

2011-02-03T10:37:00.002-07:00

It's been so cold lately that all I really want is something fuzzy to cuddle with.
Any of the above would do.

Reason #546 why I should have been a hippie

2011-02-03T10:19:00.002-07:00

I mean, look at that!
Beautiful.
I want to drive around the country in that car with my little hippie babies and my adorable hippie husband.
Too bad I'm in college!
Who thought that was a good idea?

Oh yeah.
I did.

Well, maybe when I graduate I can do this.

via

Just for you, Elfie.

2011-01-30T19:58:00.002-07:00

Little Miss Muffet
Sat on a tuffet
Eating her curds and whey
Along came a spider
Who sat down beside her
And frightened Miss Muffet away

I saw this picture and thought of you, Heather.
Even I would be afraid of this spider.

Can I have a consensus?

2011-01-30T19:48:00.003-07:00

Bahahaha!

This is so true.
Right?

I feel like we ladies tend to jump ahead of ourselves.
Not that I think it is detrimental to me and my relationships.
I will probably do this till the day I'm married.
Because it's fun.

Thoughts?
Arguments?
(Joey? I know you don't like this.)

Happiness is a Warm Gun. False. Sorry, Beatles.

2011-01-27T19:50:00.006-07:00

Basically, this is what I had for dinner.
Mmmm...tortillas with Nutella and bananas.
{Oh, don't try this with regular tortillas. They have to be uncooked when you buy them.}
Most nights I try to be healthy.
But other nights (aka tonight) I indulge.
And I like to think that I'm happier for it.
Speaking for happier, I read something awesome today.

"Money matters, but less than we think and not in the way we think.
Family is important.
So are friends.

Envy is toxic.
So is excessive thinking.
Beaches are optional.
Trust is not.
Neither is gratitude...
Ultimately, happiness is relationships and trustworthiness.
Trust is a prerequisite for happiness.
Trust not only of your government, of institutions, but trust of neighbors.
Several studies, in fact, have found that trust--more than income or even health--is the biggest factor in determining happiness."

~Eric Weiner, The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Place on the Planet

I really like that.
I want to be someone people can trust.
I like trusting people.
Which is why I've never made my blog private.
It's also why I forget to lock the door.
{Don't worry, my roommate is a door locking nazi and makes up for this.}

I would argue, however, that having a Nutelleria on your street would rival the whole trust=happiness thing.

My Current Fascination

2011-01-26T12:31:00.002-07:00

Nothing makes me happier than a man in boots.
'Specially if there are fancy socks underneath.

Quote of the Week

2011-01-25T09:43:00.004-07:00

Roommate: "Wait, Anne Frank died in the Holocaust?! I thought she was still alive! How did she publish her book then?"

...

Life is Swell

2011-01-21T22:03:00.008-07:00

Today I spent the day in bed.
You know, sick stuff.

And yet I still feel as if I could write that book.
Because I have 14,000 things to be happy about.

Life is beautiful.
School is fabulous.
I got a lovely job.
I have amazing friends
{I mean, my mom has to scratch my back when I'm throwing up. But Jessica? What a gal.}
I have two wonderful parents.
I have 3 amazing brothers.
I have a pile of books by my bed.
I have everything I'll ever need.

Besides a baby.
I still want a baby.
One that looks like this:

{ignore my creepy overly excited face that one}

or this:

My Favorite Kind of Stories

2011-01-21T16:41:00.004-07:00

I love the fantastic.

Do you know what I mean?

The inbetween.
The stories that leave you with chills running up your spine.
Not scary stories.
Not horror stories.
But the ones that are a bit spooky.
The ones where the line is blurred between reality and fantasy.
Where you can't quite tell if what is happening is supposed to be real or pretend.

I once took a lovely class on Fantastic Literature where we read the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, E.T.A. Hoffman, and Villiers de I'Isles Adams.
We mainly read older books, because the Fantastic is more a genre that had it's glory day in the 1800s.
I all but thought it had died.
Or that in the days of Prozac and psychiatrists that there were no more tortured souls to write my favorite kinds of stories.

But the other day I got a book from the library full of short stories by Neil Gaiman.
{Not that he is tortured, but simply that he has that bit of madness that knows how to weave a tale.}
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love Neil Gaiman.
I think he is my favorite author.
Have you seen Stardust?
He wrote the book.
That one is definitely a faerie tale.
But some of the stories in Smoke and Mirrors are not.
They are of the fantastic genre.

I was reading one last night before bed
{foolishly thinking that because they were short stories, I could stop at one. Right? Wrong.}
and it was deliciously spooky.
I was left with the delightful feeling that made me nervous to turn off the light, for then I should have to return to my bed in the dark.
And who knows what would be under there.

I am 21 years old.
I know that there is nothing under my bed but boxes of winter clothes.
But I was still afraid.

And a story that could disrupt my reality and proper way of thinking?
Now that is a story written by a genius.
And most definitely a story that I love.

Stories by Neil Gaiman that I recommend:
Chivalry {not fantastic, but lovely all the same.}
Nicholas Was... {Mom, don't read this one. You won't like it.}
The Price {possibly the best one, because it has my favorite kind of cat.}
Don't Ask Jack The White Road

I would have been more excited if it was Superman, but you take what you can get.

2011-01-03T21:46:00.006-07:00

This is Hurley.
{Or Jorge Garcia. Whatevs.}

Once, meaning on my way home to Florida this Christmas, I sat next to him.
Not on the plane.
But at the Chicago O'Hare Airport.

I forgot to tell you, because I find Christmas a bit more exciting.
But I wanted to let you know.
In case you liked Lost or something.
Because my mom does.
She was super excited.

Maybe, if I'm lucky, on my way back to Utah I'll sit next to Matt Smith.
The commercials on BBC are telling me that he is in America.
And he's wearing a Stetson.
Because Stetsons are cool.

Quoteables

2011-01-03T13:43:00.003-07:00

If someone breaks your heart, just punch them in the face.
Oh sure, it seems obvious now, but you'd be surprised at how many people don't think of it when it's relevant.
Seriously, just punch them in the face and go get some ice cream.

~Chuck Klosterman

via Design Crush and weheartit

I've got a case of the giggles

2011-01-01T20:02:00.001-07:00

Guys.
I think I've watched this 10 times today.
"Hide your kids, hide your wives, hide your husbands too, because I hear they're coming after everybody."

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

I hope it's the best one yet!

2010 Album of the Year

2010-12-30T15:43:00.003-07:00

Out of all the albums that came out this year, I most definitely have a favorite.

Volume 2 by She & Him.
I think it is all I listened to in the month of April.
I love it sooooo much!
And then I got to see Zooey in concert (for free!!!) in August, and it was wonderful.

There is something magical about this duo.

Quoteables

2010-12-27T11:20:00.003-07:00

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.
~Miss Piggy

James McAvoy and Christina Ricci from Penelope

Now I want to watch Penelope.

What's in a name?

2010-12-27T09:33:00.003-07:00

Names are interesting things...

The origin of my name is from Star Trek.
{something I think is pretty awesome}
The most beautiful girl created was named Rayna.

{She died from emotional stress
and the way college is going, I think this might be a foreshadowing}

And then my mom learned Spanish and that Reina means queen.
And then she changed the spelling to Reyna to make it a name instead of a title.

And then there was me.
{in all my glory: cowboy boots, the beach, and a mcflurry. Brilliant.}

What about your name?
I am most curious to learn where it is from.
Where your parents first heard it.
Are you named after someone?

Tell me.

Quote of Goodness

2010-12-23T10:48:00.003-07:00

"Unless you are fully engaged in living the gospel--living it with all of your 'heart, might, mind, and strength' (D&C 4:2)--you cannot generate enough spiritual light to push back the darkness."

~Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light," Ensign, May 2002, 71.

.credit

Pretty Things for the Holiday Season

2010-12-21T10:07:00.002-07:00

Here are some lovely Christmasey pictures to help you feel some whimsy and delight of the season.

All images from weheartit

Whimsy and Magic, Winter and the Moon

2010-12-20T21:23:00.002-07:00

There is lunar eclipse tonight, in case you didn't know.
The best part?
It's happening on the Winter Solstice.
There are very few things as magical as a lunar eclipse.
And even fewer as magical as Midwinter.
I'm sad that it doesn't snow in Florida, so I'm missing that little piece of magic.

The point is, this is it.
This is your only chance to see a lunar eclipse at Midwinter.
Because the next one is going to be in 2094 (so says the Washington Post).
So I would advise you not to miss it.
It's kind of a big deal.
If you're into that sort of thing.

Last Minute Gift Guide: Your Mother Who Steals All Your Books and Always Makes You Eat Your Veggies

2010-12-19T13:18:00.002-07:00

A Dozi Pocket Planner to help her stay organized.

Some more of her favorite hand lotion that's running low.

A pretty pear painting for her kitchen, since she always has buckets of fruit on the table.

Reusable snack baggies that she can throw into the washing machine.

The Housekeeper and the Professor, so you can have your copy back.

Elizabeth Bennet's Email Inbox

2010-12-18T19:43:00.001-07:00

Bahaha!
Thank you, English Muse for sharing Famous Inboxes

Last Minute Gift Guide: Your Brother Who Writes Awesome Songs on the Guitar and Learned to Read from Calvin and Hobbes

2010-12-18T17:23:00.003-07:00

Calvin and Hobbes artwork to hang up next to his mirror so he can practice making faces.

A cool holder for all his guitar picks.

One of the lovely new Harry Potter books since his originals are all falling apart.

A rad Constitutional t-shirt, so he can tell everyone what he thinks when they comment on it.

Miss Liberty America

2010-12-18T13:25:00.003-07:00

Finally, a beauty pageant that Miss Congeniality could win without any trouble.

From the website:
Miss Liberty America is dedicated to discovering America's elite feminine patriots and giving them the opportunity on a national stage to showcase their patriotism, intelligence, beauty, and talent. The ultimate mission is to promote liberty, the military, and the documents of our founding fathers. The contestants will be judged in categories of:
~personal interiew
~swimsuit
~evening gown
~beauty
~talent
~questions regarding the documents of America's founding fathers
~marksmanship
This will be the first pageant of its kind to introduce competency in the handling, safety, and use of firearms, and CPR.

Bahahaha
So funny to me.

The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairie

2010-12-17T23:01:00.004-07:00

I'm so very excited!
I have a ballet class that begins in January.

I took ballet a long time ago and loved it.
I can't wait to put on those shoes.
I was a ballerina for Halloween.

See?Me with two of my lovely ladies, Princess BubbleGum from Adventure Time and Astrid from How to Train Your Dragon

I know that it is too late, but I still want to dance the part of the Sugar Plum Fairie.
This time of year always reminds me of this, and of how much I am in love with the elegance and balance and discipline of ballet.

Death by dishes

2010-12-17T22:55:00.002-07:00

Just another reason why I don't mind being single.
I do love being on my own.
I value my independence.

I just need to remind myself of that when I see all my newly married friends enjoying themselves this Christmas...

Finals

2010-12-13T09:46:00.002-07:00

Let me take a moment to brag.

This is the first finals week that I won't be pulling all nighters and rushing to do ridiculous cleaning checks.
This is the first finals week of my college career that I feel a little bit relaxed.
Maybe because I'm an underachiever
(you know, keep everyone's expectations low, so that they're pleasantly surprised when you actually do well).
Maybe because I'm only taking 12.5 credits and about half of those were block classes, so I did the finals back in October.
Maybe because I'm in a class that is actually called Leisure in Contemporary Society.

The point is, 2 finals today.
Go home Wednesday.
1 final on Friday, emailed from Professor, done from my couch at home.

Fabulous.

Florida, here I come.

Things I have learned from Indiana Jones

2010-12-11T22:16:00.003-07:00

Bad dates can kill you.

Here's a picture of Indy for your enjoyment.

Nursery Rhymes

2010-12-09T10:47:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, my roommate was laying on my bedroom floor reading a book.
She came across a whole bunch of nursery rhymes and was excited, because apparently she wasn't familiar with any of them.
I was shocked.
Flabbergasted.
I thought everyone knew all the nursery rhymes!
She was amazed that I could recite all the ones she named.

Is this surprising to anyone else?
Please tell me that you know all those rhymes.
I have no idea where I learned them all.
They've just always been floating around in my head.

My favorites are Goldilocks

Goldilocks, Goldilocks, wilt thou be mine? Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine, But sit on a cushion and sew a fine seam, And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream.

and How Many Miles to Babylon?

How many miles to Babylon? Three-score and ten. Can I get there by candle-light? Yes, there and back again. If your heels are nimble and light, You will get there by candle-light.

I love nursery rhymes.
They're so fun to say and so traditional.
I love traditional things.

What are your favorite rhymes?

Holly and Jolly

2010-11-26T10:59:00.003-07:00

Finally!

After waiting and waiting and having to put up with roommates hating the music I began playing in October, it's finally here!

Christmas!

My favorite.

I love:

the feelings in the air

the bundling up to go out into the snow

the warm fires

the way my house looks, all cozy and peaceful with the tree and garlands (thanks, Mom!)

the music

the food

the family

the wonderfulness that is Christmas

Hooray!

Blizzard

2010-11-23T18:35:00.004-07:00

Tonight we are supposed to be getting a massive blizzard.

BYU keeps sending me texts warning me about it.

Biggest storm in years, apparently.

So we did what any smart college students would do:

We plugged in our computers so we can watch movies if the power goes out.

We charged our phones and ipods.

Christine bought granola bars and ritz crackers.

I'll supply the peanut butter.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

Of the storm, I mean.

I keep imagining that it will be a Laura Ingalls sort of storm, with huge drifts and all.

But I think I'm expecting too much.

I just really want to walk on the roof to get to the neighbors.

Ice Cream is always the right answer

2010-11-21T12:27:00.004-07:00

Every once in awhile, I run across something that reminds me of a great memory and I get super happy.

Today, it was this picture.

Those dipped ice cream cones reminded me of Bo's Ice Cream.

It's a little place back home.

It's been there forever!

And they have the best ice cream.

It might not be that good, but I remember going there with my mom.

I remember going there with the whole family.

I remember Jana Andrews taking us there after dance lessons one day.

It makes me happy.

It's a good place to be.

It's a good place to remember.

And that butterscotch dip was fabulous.

What's one of your favorite places?

Spammy

2010-11-21T12:21:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday, Sammy!

You're officially a teenager!

And although I'm still a bit uncomfortable with your new, deep voice on the phone, I am excited that you're growing up.

13 is going to be fun.

I promise.

And even though I'm too poor to send you a birthday present, I am singing birthday songs under my breath for you.

So if you hear some creepy singing, it's probably me.

I lurve you.

I luff you.

I loaf you.

Because love is not enough.

ps This is still my favorite picture of you, taking care of your gross bunny :)

#5 Make a wearable item of clothing

2010-10-26T20:16:00.002-06:00

Check.

You can add crocheting a hat to my list of accomplishments,

thanks to the darling Jessica that showed me how to do it.

I am now officially ready for winter.

Bring it on, snow!

My hair is safe.

Basically, I'm On My Way to Australia

2010-10-20T20:31:00.004-06:00

In light of the imminent statistics exam that I have to take tomorrow at 11:00 am, I have decided to take a break from my fake studying and tell you some exciting news.

Australia is finally becoming a reality.

My major has a high adventure study abroad program this summer from July 8-August 13.

It takes place in Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand.

Um, yes please!

So I am applying right now, trying to convince them that I am awesome enough to go.

Cross you fingers for me, that I'll get in.

And that I can find a job that will pay me enough to save up for this adventure.

My dreams of scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef and safari on the Outback are finally realistic.

That is all.

Have a good day.

Bird Watching

2010-10-14T13:29:00.011-06:00

Thanks to Tiffany, I am completely obsessed.

It's a problem.

Andrew Bird.

He's all I've been listening to for the past week.

There is something about him and his violin,

something about his whistling,

something about his lyrics that captures me completely.

Love.

I recommend these songs:

A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head

Oh No

Tables and Chairs

Scythian Empires

You should also read his blog post on Measure for Measure,

Words Will Tell

Quote-ables

2010-10-13T17:45:00.000-06:00

via Yes and Yes

Why do all the good shows get cancelled?

2010-10-13T14:31:00.002-06:00

I am so ready for this.

Penguin Love

2010-10-05T19:24:00.002-06:00

When a male penguin is sweet on a female, he'll search the beach for the perfect pebble to give to her. Once he finds it, he waddles over and places it at her feet. If she accepts, they become life long mates.

Adorable.

via long live the queen

Wanted:

2010-10-04T11:33:00.002-06:00

I am trying not to imagine how awesome this dress would look.

Curse you, Anthropologie!

I need to graduate and get a job asap so I can buy things like this.

Real Love

2010-10-02T22:18:00.004-06:00

"Sexiness wears thin after awhile and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's a real treat."

Joanne Woodward on being married to Paul Newman

Oh just another reason to love Paul.

Laughter.

That's what I'm holding out for.

via Long Live the Queen

Life is good. Be happy.

2010-10-02T20:09:00.003-06:00

Last night, I had a little surprise party for this awesome guy.

It went really well.

He was super surprised.

And I got to spend the evening with my favorite people.

I am so lucky.

Then we went to Danielle's and had a fire with roasted apples.

Then we came back to my house and watched a movie.

Where I fell asleep.

I think everyone left around 4:00 am.

I was not really awake and just stayed on the couch until a phone call from Will woke me up at 9:00 am.

And then it was pancakes and Conference!

Guys.

General Conference.

Seriously.

Watch it.

Best weekend{s} of the year.

I can't even begin to describe to you the joy I get from this.

It's stunningly beautiful and perfect.

Funny Quotes

2010-09-30T00:56:00.004-06:00

"Actually, I can put a price on how much I love my family. It's $105 one way."

~Heather, when we were talking about the expense of going home for Thanksgiving and how much we love our families.

Michelle: Aren't you going to make waffles?

Joey (On his computer): Is this not how you make waffles?

Joey: Sometimes I forget that there are things more important than the internet.

Me: It's not that hard, I already wrote it. It was 3 1/2 pages.

Michelle: How did you get 3 1/2 pages on that subject?
Me: It was double spaced.

Quote-ables

2010-09-29T12:39:00.004-06:00

"I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half in agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you broke it eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant."

~Captain Wentworth's letter to Anne Elliot

Persuasion, Jane Austen

This is my favorite line from my favorite Jane Austen.

Just thought I'd share.

And now I look like a smurf

2010-09-29T11:35:00.003-06:00

On Monday night, we all gathered at my house for FHE.
We filled up water balloons with water and paint.
Then we filled up the shopping cart that randomly appeared on my back porch earlier that day with our ammunition, and headed to the park to play capture the flag.

Pregame, we're all looking pretty clean.

Post game, we're all looking a little awesome.
Wow my shorts look a little too short!
But they were the only dark item that I didn't mind ruining.

No, we aren't dating. Although this picture looks like it.

Ugly faces.

All in all, the night was a complete success.

This is real fun, the Mormon way.

P.S. My body is still blue and purple.
3 showers and much scrubbing later, that stuff is still refusing to come off.
I would recommend using a more water soluble paint if you try this at home.

Some Good Links

2010-09-28T11:00:00.002-06:00

1. I must have these books.

2. There are a lot of strange places in the world... I must see them all!

3. Guess what? You can make your own handwriting a font. Thank goodness. I've been waiting for that one.

4. My uncle wrote a book. And my mom helped edit it. (Seriously, crazy amounts of time spent with that book.) And now it's finally available on Barnes and Noble. Check it out!

5. Speaking of books, I ordered this one last week. Stunning.

6. I've been listening to a lot of Bach lately. Particularly this song.

7. I desperately want this lipstick.

8. General Conference is this weekend. I really recommend it.

That's all.

Cookies=Angels

2010-09-28T10:14:00.003-06:00

Every once in a while, someone knows just what you need.

Sometimes it's before you even know it.

I had a dear friend drop by last night with cookies because she loved me and thought I needed them.

I didn't really need cookies last night.

But I needed them this morning.

In this case, "cookies" are not just the Milanos on my nightstand, but the "love and caring" that comes from someone who's thinking of you.

My friends, there are angels among us.

Keep your eyes peeled.

You might miss them if you aren't careful.

Fanks, Jen.

For listening and acting.

The ghouls are starting to arrive!

2010-09-23T16:33:00.003-06:00

Autumn is finally here!

Autumn is my most favorite time of year.

I live for it.

Especially in Utah.

It's deliciously windy and colorful.

The air is crisp and inviting.

I've pulled out all my tights!

And the Farmer's Markets are all over the place.

It's simply superb.

PS Halloween! My favorite!

What's your favorite season?

Just a little update

2010-09-03T18:05:00.004-06:00

Here I am.

Back in school.

Back in Provo.

There's a lot going on these days.

I moved into a new house.

I have 4 new roomies.

And 3 new windows that let in so much sunshine it makes me giggle with happiness.

I found a new major.

It's a permanent one, this time.

I mean it.

I was never absolutely sure about the rest.

But this one?

It's exactly what I need to be doing.

And I feel great about it.

I have a new calling at church that screams of too much responsibility.

But I have 3 amazing ladies to help me out with all the work.

I'm sorta excited about it.

And that's about it.

Post edit:

In response to the emails, the major is

Recreational Management and Youth Leadership with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation

and the calling is Relief Society president.

{For those of you who don't know, the Relief Society is the largest women's organization in the world. It is for LDS women, ages 18 and up, and it's focus is building faith, strengthening homes and families, and serving others.}

Style Icon: Lonely Tourist Charlotte Charles

2010-09-03T17:28:00.002-06:00

I found the first season of Pushing Daisies on the shelf in the living room of my new house.

So of course I immediately grabbed it and began watching episodes whenever I have down time.

And then I remembered...

I love Chuck.

I love her clothes.

I love her hair.

I want to dress like her forever and ever.

Thoughts?

Anchor

2010-09-03T17:27:00.001-06:00

I am loving this video and this song.

My suitcase isn't big enough to put everything I need into

2010-08-24T19:18:00.002-06:00

I hate packing and moving.

It doesn't matter whether I'm in Florida or Utah, I hate leaving and going back.

I hate collecting all my stuff from around the house.

I hate leaving my family.

I hate leaving Tiff

{especially because she keeps having new babies right before I leave}

I hate knowing that I didn't spend time with all the people I wanted to.

I wish I had super speed, so I could just zip back and forth every day.

None of this saying good-bye stuff for months at a time.

Litany

2010-08-21T22:43:00.004-06:00

I've always thought a lot about my future children.

What are they going to be like?

What are they going to enjoy?

I want to instill in them a love of the beautiful things.

Poetry. Art. Music. Literature.

You know, the important stuff that makes us humans.

The beautiful creations that make life worth living.

Anyways, here is a little boy that is super cute.

Poetry was always meant to be recited by little mouths.

I should like to have little ones like this one day.

Litany

You are the bread and knife,

the crystal goblet and the wine.

You are the dew on the morning grass

and the burning wheel of the sun.

You are the white apron of the baker,

and the marsh bird suddenly in flight.

However, you are not the wind in the orchard,

the plums on the counter,

or the house of cards.

And you are certainly not the pine scented air.

There is just no way that you are the pine scented air.

It is possible that you are the fish under the bridge,

maybe even the pigeon on the general's head,

but you are not even close

to being the field of cornflowers at dusk.

And a quick look in the mirror will show

that you are neither the boots in the corner

nor the boat asleep in its boathouse.

It might interest you to know,

speaking of the plentiful imagery in the world,

that I am the sound of rain on the roof.

I also happen to be the shooting star,

the evening paper blowing down the alley

and the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table.

I am also the moon in the trees

and the blind woman's tea cup.

But don't worry, I'm not the bread and the knife.

You are still the bread and the knife.

You will always be the bread and the knife,

not to mention the crystal goblet and -somehow- the wine.

~Billy Collins

Retro Camp Rock

2010-08-17T20:30:00.004-06:00

Did anyone else think that Teen Vogue's recent shoot with Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato was genius?

I really love everything about it.

via Teen Vogue

True Story

2010-08-15T20:42:00.002-06:00

Happiness does not depend on the number of legs you have

2010-08-15T13:28:00.005-06:00

Farmer Cui Jinxiu was shocked when this two-legged lamb was born at her farm at Shangdong province in eastern China. She said: “I did not think he would live very long, but then he managed to struggle up and stand on his two legs in order to drink some milk from his mother. He was surprisingly steady on his feet - and it did not seem to disturb his mother that he only had two legs. I was so impressed at his desire to survive that I began feeding him extra milk from a bottle. He gambols around with the other lambs when it’s sunny even though he is only a week old now. And he has such a friendly personality, he seems to enjoy life and I think he doesn’t realize he’s disabled”

It's amazing where I can find inspiration.

I like to whine a lot when things aren't going how I think they should.

I complain and try to garner as much sympathy as possible.

Time to change.

Time to be a little bit better.

Time to be happy with what I have.

Time to get up and walk anyways.

Even if I only have two legs

(figuratively speaking, of course.)

I can do hard things.

And I can still be happy.

I can be as happy as that little lamb.

Shoes and ships and sealing wax and cabbages and kings

2010-08-14T20:22:00.002-06:00

Teen Choice Awards 2010: Best & Worst Dressed

2010-08-10T21:22:00.002-06:00

I love doing this.

Honorable Mention:

Naya Rivera
I like the cut, but the material isn't my favorite.

Kristen Bell
This could be cute without the weird sheer tank top thing on it.

Worst Dressed:

Emma Roberts

Is the vampire look the new thing?

Katerina Graham

Why?

Kim Kardashian
Some things do not flatter curvy women. Extreme gathers on the top and hips is one of those things.

Best Dressed:
Nobody won.
I didn't see one outfit that stood out to me more than the others.
Oh well.
There will be other award shows.