New Years! Bring On 2012!

Highlights from 2011

Greatest lesson learned: Just tell it how it is. Don't try to make everyone feel bad. Just be completely honest.

Hardest thing of the year: Rachel quitting school. I don't know if it was school pride or my guilt that I should've been there with her more. She might've stayed had I given her the time of day.

Favorite memory: Well there's quite a few. But I can narrow it down to these for now...
-tanning with Alex
-CABIN TRIP, 'nuff said.
-pulling pranks with my roommates
-going to random places I've never been before
-dance parties...seriously. Without these, my days would've never have gotten better
-Ben's Manhood Trip
-Being there for nephew's birthday
-Working at Mango Tango with Rachel
-Skype played a BIG part of my year
-Camping in Boise
-The bike ride in Boise
-Just Dance at Nick's house
-Thanksgiving trip with James
-General Conference with my awesome FHE family
-Scroll Digital, especially filming the show!!
-Dessert competitions with my FHE family
-Playing truth or dare until the early morning
-Glow in the Dark Hide and Seek with Ben
-Watching terrifying clips from scary movies with Andrea (then watching Mormon Messages to feel better)
-Walking around, playing Hide and Seek in a dark giant cabin
-Getting attacked my two murderers in the cabin
-Talking a long, dark, scary walk with Alex and James & James scaring the CRAP out of us
-Staying out ALL night long for Nick's birthday
-Hanging out with James and his roommates
-Making homemade Touscana soup with Aaron
-Johnny's JamCakes

Okay okay, I'll stop there. I didn't realize how LONG that sucker was gettting!

What I loved most about 2011: It was an amazing year. I did a whole lot of growing up, that's for sure. My best friend and I are closer than ever and I couldn't ask for a better person to share everything with. She's amazing in every way and I strive to be just like her.

I also met the perfect gentleman of a cowboy and who is the Lamar to my Khloe. Haha (Sorry, it's been a while since I had a K-dash reference) The smile to my face, the tune to my song and all that other lovey-dovey stuff. Haha
And education-wise, I learned a LOT. In my classes, I was actually absorbing everything and realizing this is what I'm meant to do because I just absolutely LOVE it!! And of course, my testimony grew tremendously, especially being the Relief Society president and I am so blessed to be in such an amazing place where I can feel the spirit and people are just so nice and friendly. I have President Clark and great teachers and a great bishopric all looking out for me and I pray more that I may have ever before. Plus, I am really starting to figure myself out. Plus I had SO many friends get married and have babies! I am so happy for everyone.

Looking forward to 2012

Want to learn: More skills. Technical skills. Piano, guitar, sewing, etc.

Want to get better at: exercising...EVERYDAY. And becoming a better chef.

Biggest goal: Lose. That. Weight. And be the best Maid of Honor ever!!

I'm Ill, ya hear that Lil Wayne?

Things I would die for right now...

1. Rock climbing
2. Swedish Fish
3. Camping trip
4. The Tootsie Maki or Viva Las Vegas rolls at Ra Sushi

5. A car so I can drive around listening to music
6. A nice set of colored pens so I can journal all artsy-like
7. The obvious one-a nice, big bag of Lifesaver gummies.

And a partridge in a pear tree. :) Being sick makes me a loopy. On the bright side, I do get to have as much soup as I can eat! Aaand I get to watch home videos. That's the best part of being sick EVER.

Winter Bucket List

Ok so I did saw this same thing for fall and I really hope I can check off every single one of these things by March!! Well, I mean, some I'm sure I won't...but it's the thought that counts right?

UPDATE: January 6th 2011
Okay. So far, I have...

-Eaten Peppermint Bark (thank you, James!)
-Looked at Christmas lights, multiple times
-Been ice-skating...okay it was tubing, but I'm counting it!
-Volunteered
-Eaten Gingerbread
-Made cookies for "Santa" (you're welcome Dad. Haha)
-Drank hot chocolate
-Filled stockings
-Decorated the Christmas tree by myself (so making ornaments)
-Gave a Secret Santa
-Saw Reindeer Food-it counts.

California Cat

DUMBEST THING EVER.

Maybe you've heard, maybe you haven't. But a stray cat that was taken in by a woman in Rome was just left with a GIANT fortune....Let's just take a second to let that settle in.

Who the heck leaves a $13 million dollar fortune to a stupid cat?! What is that cat going to do with it, make a nice bed? So dumb. People, do something worthwhile with your money! Give it to a nice charity if you really don't care about it that much. I mean, I get it. She didn't have any children so she left it to the closest thing she had. But does anyone else see that as just a wee bit irresponsible? There are people starving or trying to recover from HUGE natural disasters all over the world. We're in an economic crisis! So yes, obviously the smart thing to do with your leftoever money is to give it to a dumb, lazy cat.

Okay. Sorry. The world these days, I'll tell ya. Common sense is getting less and less common.

On a somewhat better note, I go home on Friday!! I have mixed feelings. I love home and California and my family, but I definitely am going to miss Rexburg. There is always something productive I can be doing, people to see and play with, places to go...and a couple of my favorite people. All together in one place, where it's nice and easy to get together.

Ah. Well. This is how it always is. And hopefully not MUCH will change just because of distance. Ah well. Back to my final project....there are definitely some things I would LOVE a break from.

Scroll Digital Awards Night

Tonight was a VERY good night.

First of all, we had our Scroll Digital Awards Night, which was so fun! I'm so glad I finally got to go because last fall when I did I-news, I couldn't go. :(


And I even won TWO awards!! This picture is TERRIBLE but it's the only one we took. (Also, please ignore the "I'm right about to go to bed" look I'm sporting) I know, stupid. But Aaron gave me the award for Best Reporter and Kayla gave me the award for Most Consistent Quality. I was so so so happy!! Especially because Aaron gave the NICEST little speech when he gave me my award about how he's seen me just consistently get better and he was very proud. My favorite part was when he said that he is usually critical and doesn't give a lot of compliments because he doesn't want people to get a big head and then plateau. So he basically complimented my work, which was very nice. And Kayla talked about how positive I was to work with and how I was always getting better and better. So nice. The whole thing was just great. And I was so happy to see everyone else get their awards!! We had THE best crew ever. I was so happy to work with them all so closely and get to see them all get the recognition they all deserve.

Also, I had a very nice talk with a very sweet boy. :) I obviously won't go into tooo much detail because that's creepy and weird to journal all this (who knows whose eyes read this) but I also know I'll forget it until I write it down somewhere. So I'll just say we took out the toothbrush to brush the surface of a very important subject. James and I drove around to look at Christmas lights around Rexburg, which was awesome because James knows ALL the awesome spots from his mission. But anyway, then we went to one of the churches and just sat and talked. It was really nice. I'd say I had quite the lovely night. I spent it with the people closest to me and nothing beats days like that.

Gobble Gob Gobble (Turkish)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and everything!! I hope everyone enjoyed the break-I know I did!

I have so so so much to be grateful for. Goodness. First of all, I am thankful for such a FUN week and much needed family time. I've missed that crazy bunch.

James and I drove to Utah for the first couple days of the break, and let me tell you. I NEVER got bored once. And that's a big deal coming from a girl who is NOT a fan of road trips ever since 1999, when we moved to California and decided to take family road trips back to Arizona all the time. These consisted of: Mom's legs jumping while she slept with her seat almost horizontal in the front seat, Dad chewing and spitting out sunflower seeds (pack after pack), and the three girls in the back seat trying every yoga position possible to try to get comfortable. Needless to say, road trips and I just never made up. Anyway, getting back on topic, we stayed with James' uncle and aunt and their kids and it was SO much fun!! I was fed like a king and they are the NICEST, most fun people to hang out. Even just playing around the house was so fun!

For Thanksgiving, we went with them to this get together at a volunteer station for I think the police force or something like that. And Dani (his cousin) and I watched everyone play Just Dance 2 and talk and play games and do crafts. The boys men all went out and played football. Then we had a GIANT dinner in the dining hall and basically ate anything you could think of. It was amazing. I literally probably added 4 pounds to my weight and people were telling me I was taking good care of my baby. Haha! Then we just played and hung out all together the rest of the night. On the way home, James had his hand on my knee and I was just thinking about everything I have. I live a life full of freedoms, I have the gospel, I have an amazing family, GREAT friends and roommates, and my sweetheart next to me. I just ate a HUGE, perfect meal and was surrounded by the most welcoming people. I was healthy, happy, and now going back to rest my head in a beautiful home. Yep. Heavenly Father sure spoils me.

(The only picture of the day. Fail)

Then! On Friday, we left for Vegas! Poor James drove the entire way from Utah to Vegas (about 6 hours)
So second of all, I am thankful for such a handsome, sweet guy that takes SUCH good care of me when I am pretty sure I am about to die and crying my eyes out. What a trooper.

And third, I am SO happy for my little baby sister Rae who got ENGAGED over the break! But you don't want to hear it from me. She, obviously, says it best.

I hope everyone had the best Thanksgiving EVER!!! I love you all and am so blessed to have you in my life. And I don't just recognize that one day a year. I already know I'm the luckiest girl in the whole world.

Thoughts at 3:00am

Freak. School is hard.

I mean, don't get me wrong. I love every minute of what I'm doing and learning. But at the same time, it is hard! With all of the projects I am trying to keep on top of and still trying to make time to make sure my relief society is on track and then making treats and decorating and making plans and trying to work....YIKES.

That is why I am SOOOOO excited to be getting out of Rexburg and into the warm, sunny arms of UTAH!.....That was sarcasm. Sorta. I am excited to go to Utah with the biggest sweetheart I know, even if I still will be wearing sweatshirts the whole time. It's worth it to me.

The other best part is that Alex (who is going with our friend J) is only going to be like 15 minutes away from me at the most! I've grown to be veeery dependent on that sweet girl and I need her to stay at a good radius at all times.

See what I mean? But we'll see. Right now, I'm trying to get a presentation ready for tomorrow. And finish my homework for the rest of the week. Sadly, I will probably take my laptop to make sure I don't forget to finish anything. And I hope I get to go to Temple Square again!! I have never got to go to see it lit up with lights, so here's hoping! Anyway, I should stop stalling. Blast. Is it tomorrow afternoon yet? Updates to come!

Also, I saw this quote the other day and it has really made a difference in my prayers. Especially as it gets closer to Thanksgiving. I find myself being so much more grateful than I have been lately because I never want to take those things for granted. I recommend getting in that same mindset as you say your prayers everyday. I am so happy I found this. It totally changed everything! For you guys in Rexburg, travel safe tomorrow! Time for the homestretch!

I'll Never Disobey Again

I found this when I was emailing Qiarra and realized I wanted to keep it here forever. So here is my family....


I miss those nutcases. I love the way my parents are with me. Our relationship is just...strange but in the best way possible. We're so weird, but really do love each other to death. I miss them a lot.

Scroll Digital's First Show!

Yesterday in Scroll Digital, we got critiqued by Brother Thompson and Brother Howard, both of whose opinions mean a LOT to us in the Comm Department because they have sooo much experience! I loooved their comments. Unfortunately, they ran out of time before they could get to my story. But. Here it is for you to watch and critique. Feel free to leave comments. This was only the FIRST show, so be gentle. Like I said, we've been called to repentence and we're ready to take it on! And please please please watch everyone's stories as well riiight here.

Brotherly Fun

And this is why I absolutely, positively, no doubt, hands down, 100% will hang out with my brothers whenever there's a chance. Never a dull moment with these fun people.

[The memory: we took about 40 pictures like this on Andrea's computer she left there and she got us back by putting this one on Facebook. But after taking all of these pictures, we crammed into Alex's car, drove and got frozen yogurt, came back to their apartment and watched The Greatest Movie Ever Sold with their whole apartment, and our whole apartment. And tried to get Angie to talk to her new love next door. And tried on this fun beanie. Man. Seriously just love these boys. Can we really stay family forever? K thanks. None of you can ever graduate or get married. Just so we're clear.]

And this, by the way, provided many a fun pictures. This is the only one Alex saved unfortunately for you all.

Snow Way! Already?!

Random thoughts of the day go as follows...

Have you ever looked at a photograph of yourself or a friend and realized that that is a completely different person? Like...the person that you are looking at has completely different views, experiences, thoughts, mindset, goals, everything from when the present version? It is so weird how much time actually does change people, feelings...so weird. But it's cool to look back at those pictures and see the difference and what has really changed. It's just strange is all.

It started snowing today. I hate when that happens. The first few days are always the worst because EVERYTHING is sloshy and you literally cannot do anything about it. I slid down an entire hill of ice-covered mud today. True story. This was me today!



I canNOT wait to graduate and start my career. Okay wait, I can wait to graduate. I'm going to be so sad when I have to leave this place and all my friends and the life I've made for myself here. But Scroll Digital has been doing their shows from the BYUI Center, using the same rooms they use for devotional, and it is legit. I actually get giddy every time I get to work in there. I LOVE it. And even more, I love that I will be getting to do that once I peace this place out. It is SO cool. I could stay there all day if I had to. I feel like I am part of a family. Everyone knows SO much (I'm always blown away) does such great work and is so professional, but it is ALWAYS so much fun. And I love getting to edit my own interviews and create awesome packages!! I get so proud of myself! Conceited? Maybe. Happy? Most definitely. Gosh. I seriously get so excited thinking about it. I have to calm down. Thank you Heavenly Father for helping me finally figure out what I love and want to do. The long road has made it worth it.

I have to stop watching depressing movies. I've seen like 3 lately about sad, broken marriages and it freaks me out every time. Plus, I over-analyze so now I'm just in a whole mess of trouble. As if I wasn't screwed up about the whole thing enough. I won't lie, I am SO scared about all the challenges (money especially). So. I think it's time for a sad movie fast. Get your priorities straight woman. Time to think "eternal perspective" versus the "everybody else perspective."

Also, is it just me or does everyone get super annoyed easily sometimes? I don't know why it happens to me, but it does. Whatever. As long as I keep my thoughts to myself, it doesn't make me a terrible person right?

And last but not least, HOW I have missed Kiwi Loco. Peach and White Chocolate Mousse (nonfat) yogurt was the perfect topping to a great day. So thanks to the brothers for being so fun all the time and always making our days. I went over to make Tanner some dinner (because I LOVE to cook) and Al & Andrea came with me. I have to say, after all the mind bending, symbolic, I-have-you-figured-out games, Kiwi Loco, and 500 Days of Summer, I speak for our whole apartment when I say we just love them to death. The family that plays together stays together right?

Scalawag and Bootstrap

In case you missed it, I love my life.

Today was a GREAT day, despite all of the freezing rain. It literally HAILED on Alex and I as we were walking home from class. But what did we do? Ate it off each other. Yeah, there's a reason we've stuck together all these years. I love her.

But my top three favorite parts go as follows:

#3: I love Scroll Digital. There are no greater, nicer, more fun people to work with. I just adore all of them!! And EVERYONE is so talented!! It's so much fun to just sit, editing away, listening and talking to everyone. I love every part of it and I could do it all day, everyday. Which hopefully is exactly what will happen. It's so rewarding to gain a knowledge there and I canNOT wait until I graduate and get to do it for real! Gosh. Thank you second (er third if you count my AMAZING fhe family) family. You guys are the greatest friends/fellow students a gal could ask for.

#2: RETURN OF THE KARAOKE!!! Youtube karaoke is one of my most favorite memories of last semester. Getting up there and rocking out with my girls? It's so much fun! There's such a rush! Tonight Alex and I sang our classic hit, and one that everyone in the crowd always gets really into, This Is How We Do It.

#1: Scalawag and Bootstrap. Enough said I think.


And actually, you could just call this part "LOVING our fhe brothers." They are seriously so awesome. We went over there the first time, and they had all kinds of people at their apartment. So Alex and I drove all around, talking, for a while and decided to try again: still people. We were not about to walk into a room dressed as pirates for a bunch of strangers. Terrible first impression. So fiiiinally, we go over there and everyone has left. So we stood in front of the window for like...seriously 10 minutes, staring into the room with weird faces, waving our arms, stomping our feet.....nothing. FINALLY, after Alex and I nearly blew it cracking up, Jordan leans over (to talk to someone on the couch in front of us) and sees us and he gets this super weirded out, scared look on his face and points to us. So everyone turns around and say things like "What the?!" and "Are you guys dressed as pirates?!" so we tried to run but eventually found ourselves back in their apartment.
For an hour and a half.
It was great to see them all try on the wig (and thoroughly enjoy it I might add) and watch Tanner finally wake up from waking up and realizing "his dreams were coming true" as everyone told us.
Haha Such a fun night.

I love my life.

Conference With the Family

Conference weekend is always so great. How can I not be excited to hear what the prophet and all of his counselors have to say for me, right now at this time?! And usually it's a lot of fun to watch it with my family in April, but I won't lie... I really love being here and watching it with my friends while I'm here in October.

This year, we got together with our awesome FHE brothers and had breakfast and all watched it together. It was SO much fun! Aaron made us (literally...I'm not joking here) THE BEST cinnamon rolls I have ever had in my life. From scratch. And then we had hash brown and egg and cheesy egg roll things that I made. Yes, my husband and I are quite talented. Haha

Once our little children were all stuffed, we all just sat and enjoyed conference together...and just enjoyed each other's company! We played a game called What If or something, where you write a phrase starting with "What If" and then pass it to the next person who writes a conclusion. Then when you go around, person a reads their what if and person b answers with what is on the back of their's. Then person b reads their "what if" question and person c reads their statement. You get the point. Anyway, it got pretty...dang...hilarious. We're a pretty fun bunch. And we played a couple other games, including the Ha game. But pretty much, us girls stayed over there foreeeeeeeveeeeer just to hang out with our awesome brothers. We just hung out and talked (and cleaned up) and ate. That's right. I think we had almost every meal at their house today. It was just such a fun time! I don't know how the next round is gonna go tomorrow (since we have a relief society one planned) but I had so much fun today. It all had to end when the upstanding young gentlemen went to Priesthood session. And Alex and I went and sold ice cream at the Teriyaki Express all night. But they came to say hi to us, so really, it was an all day event. If you weren't there, you missed out my friend. Really missed out.

Anyway, I'm so so glad we did that. I just love my extra family to PIECES. Actually, to smidgens. Yeah that's right.

Thank you so much boys for letting us come over and invade your apartment for hours. WE sure love you. :)

Ps. So funny because I'm 99% sure at one point or another, we were all asleep. Tanner and John the most, those little precious snugglebugs. Not with each other! Oh man, that could get me in trouble. But. Snugglebugs none the less.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

For some reason, this song always gets to me. It's my favorite church hymn, but I get so emotional every time I hear it. I figured I should finally share why.

I get so caught up in my own life with my own projects and situations that sometimes I feel that I leave my Heavenly Father out of it all. That I don't really need to include Him because He knows all things and if He knows how happy or sad or frustrated or joyful I am already, I don't need to waste time talking about it. (Which is what I do in normal life anyway aaand that doesn't work out so well in those situations either) Obviously, that's not the way it should be. I always seem to pray routinely: the things I need, know, want, and mostly the things I am grateful for. But luckily, Heavenly Father knows that I fall short...a lot. Maybe a lot more than I should. But I also know that He lives and still watches over me and helps me with anything I need Him to or ask of Him. So here is a post dedicated entirely to the fact that I know someone is still listening, even if I am being selfish or not paying attention. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. It truly magnifies every happiness and blessing I receive. I love it.

My Fall Bucket List

With all of the leaves starting to fall and the weather starting to get a tiiiny bit chillier, I can tell fall is coming. And I won't lie to you, I LOVE fall. I mean, fall and I started an affair my first semester when I realized how gorgeous nature gets. I love fall colors, I love the holidays it piggybacks, I love the cardigans, sweaters, scarves, and boots it brings....Ooooh do I love fall. Hence, the above picture.....That really explains it all......Need I say more?

**No, obviously I did not write/design it. I stole it. But.....imitation is the greatest form of flattery right?

Hooray for Labor Day

Labor Day is so fun!! Even though I am kind of dumb. I have no idea what it's celebrating. Weeeell, thanks to wonderful modern day technology (gotta love it), I now know!! According to Wikipedia, "Labor Day is United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers." So. There ya go!

Anyway it was really a good day. Slept in, everyone was in a good mood, and it was kinda cloudy so it finally wasn't going to make my skin sizzle to walk outside! My dad cooked away on the BBQ while the rest of us, sat around and did this...


And since Rachel was leaving that day to go to Vegas with Blair, we had to take one more picture before the whole crew split up for a while... I just have to say. I love my fam.

Sister Movie Night: The Help

So last night, I saw the movie The Help with my sister and her friends. Which, first of all, is cool in itself because I am now old enough to get to hang out with married couples. But it was also cool because I finally got to spend some time with my big sister and see a REALLY great movie. Thanks for the date sissy! I loved it! (She even sent me the cutest text after about how she loved hanging out with me. So blessed to have her in my life)

Anyway, ff you haven't seen it, go. It is so inspiring, and actually REALLY funny!! I will admit. I cried a couple times. It's amazing to me how cruel we as humans can be. History is not always pretty and proud, let me tell you. But I love learning about those people that stood strong and were so brave. The people who put up with so much heartache and sorrow. The people who actually took a stand against the majority and stood for what they believed in, even when it was hard (You go Celia! I hope I can be just as freakin cute and brave as you!)...it makes me want to do be a better person. In fact, the movie made me SO proud that I was going into journalism. Because it was so awesome that one person, who came up with one brave idea, could change the entire world. It hit hard for me and I REALLY hope I can do something that sensational and amazing. Gosh. So inspiring that this is a true story.





Thank you Miss Aibileen. You are brilliant. You are brave. And you are...just..amazing.

Domingo es Fabuloso!

My computer says it's 1:05am...it's not. It's only....well..12:05..in which case, I guess it technically IS Monday, but whatever. I'm still going to tell ABOUT Sunday like it's still Sunday.

First of all, I woke up feeling quite sluggish this morning. I think it's running in our family lately. My dad is on this new medicine that makes him nauseous all the time. But I think he's pulling through. Like a trooper. He always does. Way to be pops. We're proud of you!

My mom...well....that's a whole different story. Haha And Rachel, the hypochondriac, lives here. So. You know. Off to a great start.

Then there's me. For some reason lately, I feel sick all the time too! One minute, I'm nauseous. The next, I feel like I am burning to death. The next, I just feel sore and deflated. Uuugh. Oh no. I could have a disease. It's possible. As my roommates and family could tell you, I really am no threat to germs. (Weeell there are exceptions. Public bathrooms will now and forever be my mortal enemy) I know everyone just adores summer time, but I think I'm ready for nice cool fall weather. Aww. Cardigans. Shades of red, yellow, and brown. The frost. Aww! Cute, right!? The heat wave here right now is just killing me! Well actually, I DO have indian colored skin now!! FINALLY!!!! I know I know, you can squeal with me. I...I gotta say...this feels pretty good right now. Being tan is AWESOME. Skin cancer, schmin cancer...?

Anyway, moving right along. GUESS what. Alex, Rachel, and I toootally went to the Spanish branch today! It was really cool! Al and I are pretty sure they are all fluent in both English and Spanish because one little cutie patootie gave his talk in English (we already silently thanked Heavenly Father for that one), but he was suuuper nervous. He paused like every third word. So precious. But it was super cool to me because there was actually a lot I was able to pick up! The ol gal's still got it! I mean, obviously estoy no bueno at speaking it very well anymore, but understanding seems to come much more easily! I can understand MUCH better when people talk...really...slow...like..this. But in English, no one talks that slow so I don't expect special treatment. But yeah! It tickled my spirit. It was so cool because even if you get lost in the whirlwind of foreign words, the spirit is the same everywhere and will affect you the same. I want to travel (I know, stating the obvious) and if I get the chance, I want to go to sacrament meetings in different countries! How freakin sweet would that be?! The gospel is so awesome. I can't say it anymore simpler than that.

Also, I know this is so random, but I have been watching the Bachelor Pad (I know. It's stupid, I'm a reality junkie, this stuff is just for tv, I have no life, it's embarrassing...blah blah blah) and is ANYONE else sick of watching the Vienna and Kasey show?! Come on you lame brain puppets!! Get with the program! And her laugh is....just...out of control. Yikes. And hooooly awkward. The awkwardness of Jake & Vienna on the same show makes me literally cringe and cover my eyes. I can't stand Vienna. I may stop watching if she stays on. She was a monster on the Bachelor, and she is still Satan's spawn now. Just kill me. Sorry. I had to get that out.

Sunday's been good. Church. Relaxing. Now back to a normal schedule tomorrow...Insanity, sun, clean, play. Can't wait!

One of ABBA's Finest Hour

I found this little jewel today...Well...Actually I kind of went looking for it after Alex told me she watched it. It made me want to too. I love it. This was the beginning of the Foursome of Trouble (as Brady called us) and it makes me laugh to watch this again. This night, Alex and I were sure we could take on scrawny Ben together and then it just turned into a serious WWF match. I couldn't upload the others 1) because some were only funny to watch had you been there and 2) Blogger only allows 100 MBs for movies and the best one is like 200+. Haha I know. I love my camera a little too much. Gosh. Spring was the best semester ever. I have sooo many fun memories (which I still plan on blogging about and since I am done with work, maybe I'll do one or a couple everyday? Sounds like a fun project to me!) and I am counting down the days to get back to Rexburg. I know, I know. I'm sure people don't normally say that. But it's true. I mean, look how fun it is! I love it up there! Ya hear me Rexburg?! I love ya no matter what they say about you.


Also. A few weeks ago, I did a photo shoot with my sister's friend, Patty. It was for her portfolio and it was SO much fun!! I got to dress up and everything. Anyway, I got a preview of what it looks like from Erin. Sooo...hopefully Patty doesn't mind if I put it on my blog?

"You're Gonna Be Here for the Next 4 Years..."

I meant to write this blog like...two days ago. But my cousin and aunt are here...soooo...life is a party these days and I didn't have time. Haha

But I went to my [old] high school on Tuesday to work the make up picture day for Studio 94. [I take all the pictures of the high school kids for their yearbook and ID card photo. Anyway] One word: WEIRD.

Everything is sooo different than the way I remembered it! I mean, not JUST remember, but it actually IS different! It was so weird to see all my normal "spots" either not there or look so different. Here. Let me give you a little tour...

(You can click on the pictures to make them bigger to read it. I didn't realize they'd be so small on here!)





That was the most depressing one. The lunch tables. Gone. Sooo many memories from high school took place at those gross tables: notes being handed out at break that were written in the previous class instead of taking actual notes, backpacks tied to them so when you tried to grab it to go to class (as the security guards came screaming while walking towards you) your arm nearly ripped off, birthdays (that was something all on it's own), weekend plans were made, catching up of course, and the obvious stalking you'd try to do without being obvious. Those were the days. Now they're replaced with these stupid outdoor-mall-eating-area ugly type tables. How could they?!?! Why don't they just rip my heart out!?

Anyway, it was very nostalgic to see my old high school. It's weird how much of my life I feel like I lived there and I really grew up there. Yet now, I've been out of Murrieta Valley for just as long as I went to school there! So weird. I'm such an old timer. Weird! I hope you kiddies enjoy it while you can! A lot of people say they hated high school but I honestly had the best time. Some of my favorite memories lie right there in that ugly school. Haha Love it.

Listen Up Ya'll

Ok. Let me just tell you. I LOVE it up here. There is no doubt in my mind that this is where I am supposed to be at this time. It's like Heavenly Father could not be more obvious if He tried. Anyway, the reason I am saying all of this is because I'm a little strange and take self-inventories a lot. So I was thinking the other day about my class where we went around and had to say one good thing about ourselves. Mine was that I was an empathetic listener. I was hoping that I wasn't the only one who thought that. Anyway, that class period has been on my mind a whole lot this semester because I want to make sure others know that too. However, I think I am a bit of a strange listener. When I'm listening, I am purely listening. One of the things we talked about in this class (today--like an 1.5 hours ago) was that most people listen and are already thinking about what they are going to say next. Thinking of a question, thinking of a response, making a connection to something that's happened to them as well..whatever. But I don't do that. I picture it out in my mind, all the little details, and then there's always an awkward pause after. I'm processing while the talker is processing how rude and weird I am. But it was all because I was caught off guard! So I was thinking that people think I am a terrible listener because I'm always quiet. Today I learned that it is quite the opposite.

Luckily for me, it shows you are listening more intently when you don't plan out responses. Actually there's a whole list of don'ts:
-Don't daydream
-Don't interrupt
-Don't respond automatically
-Don't anticipate what people will say before they say it
-Don't offer advice; it's better to let people arrive at their own conclusion

There's a poem my teacher read today too that was actually pretty right on:

When I ask you to listen and you start giving advice, you have not done what I have asked.
When I ask you to listen and you start telling me why shouldn't feel the way I do, you are invalidating my feelings.
When I ask you to listen and you start trying to solve my problem, I feel underestimated and disempowered.
When I ask you to listen and you start telling me what I need to do I feel offended, pressured and controlled.
When I ask you to listen, it does not mean I am helpless. I may be faltering, depressed or discouraged, but I am not helpless.
When I ask you to listen and you do things which I can and need to do for myself, you hurt my self-esteem.
But when you accept the way I feel, then I don't need to spend time and energy trying to defend myself or convince you, and I can focus on figuring out why I feel the way I feel and what to do about it.
And when I do that, I don't need advice, just support, trust and encouragement.
Please remember that what you think are "irrational feelings" always make sense if you take time to listen and understand me.


So my goal for the rest of the semester is to make sure people know I am listening. Hopefully it comes just as a flow after a while. I don't want to be someone no one wants to talk to! This class is just amazing too. I am learning so much about how to be a better communicator!! And I think I still will have some bumps, but it's nothing a little practice can't fix, right? My teacher told us that active listening is a gift. It's a gift of something you consider so precious (your time) that you give it to someone you really care about. And it can physically exhaust you if you do it. So. No more complaints about that! Anyway, take Interpersonal Comm if you get the chance. It'll change your life, lemme tell ya.

This Is How We Do It

I got this song dedicated to me tonight at karaoke. By a guy with an AMAZING voice, I won't lie.


Heidi and I both were like "We would listen to him sing this ANY day!!" and she liked his better than Michael Buble's!! Haha It was super cute. I kept cheering for him because I LOVE this song, and so he kept looking straight at me when he sang, and finally he put his hand on his heart and said "This is for you. I dedicate this to you." And it made me blush. Yeah yeah, I'm a girl. And he was groovin and cheering us on when Alex and I went up and sang "This Is How We Do It" He was adorable. If I see him next week...I may have to return the favor. Haha

Also, I am 90% sure he wanted to ask for my number but was too shy. He came and sat right in front of me, then was whispering to his friend and I heard his friend go "Just do it man!" and the guy mumbled "Ok ok! I'm working on it!" but we got up and were leaving. I was waiting for Alex to pull the car around with Michael, Andrea, and Heidi right next to me and they kept whispering. Finally his friend sees we're getting ready to leave and says "You guys were really good tonight!!" and you know, all of us were flattered and we literally talked for like 20 seconds until Alex came up. So. Who knows. I'll keep you posted. He was a cutie. I love karaoke, my neighbors, and my life. Goodness.

Bread, Brothers, and Banana Cream Pie Shakes

I cannot believe I am not dying with 18 credits right now!!! Granted, I could probably stop waiting until the last minute to finish up homework, but I am in looove with life right now. I always have the best nights lately. Example One: Tonight.

Andrea had a major craving for sweets so since everything but Sammy's was closed, we headed down there to get 2-for-1 Pie Shakes. Now, if you don't know what a pie shake is, it's heavenly. They make ice cream shakes, but add an entire slice of pie right on in. Yep. Just plop it in and blend it up-SO good. No wonder they're so famous!! Anyway, so Valerie (after we literally dragged her out of her studious mindset to come with us) Andrea and I all went down to Sammy's and met Rhett there. It was sooo yummy and fun to just hang out...even if it was like 10:30 at night. Then we took Rhett home and decided to scare Alex to death by distracting her (my role) and they took the screen off and popped in! Scared the pants off her. Haha And then, when we came in, we noticed Emma was gone and so was the FREAKIN delicious cake she made for two boys' birthdays in our ward. Onward over to apartment 22 to track her down. On the way, we stopped in front of our FHE brothers' window and pounded on them. Spencer and Ben looked up and were so taken aback. Haha So they came to find us in 22. After getting kicked out of Chase's apartment (his roommate woke up and was NOT happy with us all being there "so late," even though we teeeechnically still had like 5 minutes until we were teeechnically supposed to leave) It's okay though because Ben goes "Party next door at our place..?" and we did! So Andrea and I stayed and talked to them for a little while which was soooo cute and fun because they really do like us! Haha It's so cute. Spencer was like "Why didn't you guys come over earlieeer!?" and they gave us hugs before we left. They even told us to come over more. I felt so loved. So cute.

ps-Side story: Ben and Bronson are the cutest of best friends. They are always hanging out with each other, doing things together, copying each other-it's adorable. It's like "they're dating each other" is what we lovingly say around 104. And I asked him "So where is your other half tonight?" and he said "Well, he's resting. He's had a pretty hard day. It was rough." and of course I FREAKED out because I thought that was cutest response and he said "No!! I was joking! I was playing along!" He's so funny.

So then when we were leaving, we noticed Emma was still visiting in 15, so Andrea and I (on piggyback) went down and almost fell into their apartment: SO loud. But after we were told to shush, we were talking to them for a few minutes and then decided to head on home. Which is where I am now. Maybe these things sound so boring to other people, but I am just SO happy to be up here right now. It's amazing to always have the feeling that I am right where I need to be.

Oh!! Real quick, also sooo adorable! So we finally met Bag Pipe guy. He always practices the bag pipes out by Bunkhouse and we've cheered him on from our living room many a time. So finally on Sunday, we decided it was the time to go talk to him and we did! His name is Andy, Bunkhouse 10, SUPER nice. Anyway, that's a post all it's own about Sunday. But today, he cmae over (SO cute he remembered where we lived!) and knocked and said "Is Ashley or Heidi here?" and brought us FRESH baked bread!! And it was STILL warm even super later that day!! It literally made my afternoon. SO adorable. Now I just have to find a way to repay him. Gosh. I love my life. I am so so so beyond blessed.

"What Happened To You?"

I'm pretty sure I have already confessed how much I LOVE my Interpersonal Communications class. Truly. I'm going to be bold & daring and say that it maaay be my most favorite class I have taken to date. (But! Obviously that doesn't include all the classes where I had crushes on my teachers. That's just a losing battle)

Anyway, we have this small prompt we were given and I decided that since I am terrible at keeping a journal, I'll post it to my blog where I write everything down anyway. We have to write it somewhere; why not write it somewhere where everyone can see something totally personal right? Haha

Okay. Today in class, we discussed how we are in the first grade. If you got a group of six-year olds together and said "Raise your hand if you are good singer," eeevery single one of those cuties would raise their hand and be like "You want me to sing!? I can sing right here in front of the class! What do you want me to sing!?" and everyone would want to participate. But nowadays, no one ever pipes up about anything! So my teacher asked, "What happened to you?" Here's my response:

Everyone has different experiences that make them question their talents, their abilities, even their habits. In first grade, no one really cares about any of it though! Every one is the same and social cues, norms, and words like "humble" or "conceit" or "brag" don't exist. However, once we enter into kindergarten, we suddenly need the acceptance of our peers and that becomes the number one priority over just expressing who we really are and what makes us happy. We start to care about what people think of us. For me, it was all about competition once "Dropping Your Apple" came into play. My first grade teacher would always make us "drop our apples" [which were just these little laminated cut outs of apples with our names of them velcroed(?) on a giant paper tree] whenever we were bad. That was my worst fear. So I always tried to be a really great kid. That would be my worst nightmare. But I remember perfectly the day that was all shattered...thanks to Charisma.

She was this girl in my class, and even when I was little, I was like "Oh boy, I have to stay away from that girl. She's trouble." because she was aaalways having to drop her apple. I don't think she ever got it to the ground, but...I just was nervous. One day when we had to line up outside the classroom door, who should come up next to me but Charisma. And she started talking...and kept talking..aaaand kept talking. Our teacher (Mrs. D) told us to hush so she could count us or something and I shut my mouth. But Charisma just kept talking! I was getting so frustrated so I was trying to tell her to be quiet already and that got us both to talking...and that's when the worst words I'd heard yet came from Mrs. D's mouth. "Alright girls, that's it. Drop your apples." I was MORTIFIED. Apparently, she'd told us to be quiet like 3 times and we just ignored her. Ninety percent sure that's when I became nervous to talk too much. I mean, obviously I wasn't some hermit or anything by any means. But I definitely didn't really participate as much in class (because I was so embarrassed that I made my teacher mad and thought she didn't like me anymore) and I really was only outgoing on the playground when I would play "Penguins" or kickball with my friends. And that's also when I started comparing myself with the kids around me. If someone had ever dropped their apple any further than how far mine fell that day, I steered VERY clear of them. But I always knew there were kids in our class who had never dropped their apples and I WISHED I could be like them again. I know it sounds crazy now, but in first grade, you just want to make your teacher love you and have lots of friends so they'll invite you to their birthdays and sleepovers. That never left me, even up until high school. I wasn't going to be the one who made a dumb comment or asked a dumb question or got in trouble with my teacher. First grade turned me a bit shy and it was only in 9th grade that I made friends who were much more outgoing and confident and I decided to mimic them. I'm definitely not that shy anymore when it comes to friends. But when I am meeting new people, or have a new class, I try to ALWAYS make a good impression. I don't want their first perception of me to be something like "That girl is weird" or "She isn't paying attention. She'll probably fail."

It's amazing to me that somehow, every single person on this earth becomes self conscience at one point in their life. We don't shoot our hands up when asked to sing in front of people. Who exactly decides what is socially acceptable and decides who is "great" or "bad" and fixes standards?

We need to make sure as well that we are not putting others in that position of being uncomfortable with themselves. "Do not criticize, condemn, or complain." How we percieve ourselves has largely to do with how we act. If we're told we're terrible students, there would be far less colleges than there are today, right? I like what Brother Embree said today in class. He said "Don't forget that as others shape you, you also shape others." If we have a good self image of ourselves, that will allow us to push through and ignore all the harsh criticisms that are coming our way. We all should embrace the little kid in us and try to grow back out of what people think of us and needing everyone's approval. Just appreciate those around who appreciate you! Happiness doesn't have to be hard. Just embrace who you are and be happy with it! Live a little! As Disney says, "Express yourself!" I think people will find that that little first grader is still somewhere in there.

Hauntingly Beautiful

Give it up for the SPICE GIRRRRRLS!!!

Haha. Ok, I should explain. Last week, Heidi and Andrea came back and were telling us all about their karaoke escapades during Karaoke Night at Sammy's! You go and sign up and then they play the lyrics on a youtube version, you know the drill. Well, obviously, Alex and I have ALWAYS wanted to do that (although I think she already has before?) so we made a pact that we would all go the next Wednesday. So...we did! And we invited our FHE brothers to go with us and all of them came!! (Well, minus the engaged one of course. Understandable) But it was SO much fun!! We decided on Wannabe by the Spice Girls (yeah, you know the one), we came up with some common moves, and got ready to belt our little hearts out! It was so much fun to dance around with my friends and sing and have people singing along and cheering for us! Soooo much fun. I can't stop saying that. We had a fun time all just hanging out together too. I have the best roommates and we just can't wait to get to know our bros even more. :) I just love it.

Sorry this is kind of a short post, but. The last couple have been sooo long...So you're welcome. We all went and had a great time!! The boys (Spencer, Bronson, and their friend Cameron) all sang Let's Get It On and I almost died laughing!!! I did not see that song coming. And I finally got a picture! So great. If you haven't done it by now, you definitely should come and check it out. We'll be there every single week from now on! (That's our new goal!) Wish us luck!

Hoppy Easter!

I have had SUCH an incredible weekend!!! Truly. Want to hear all about it? Okay!

Friday: Well, Friday night all of our roommates had other plans (dates, homework, etc) so Alex and I decided to have a date all our own. We went to Sammy's and got DELICIOUS burgers (well, Alex got grilled cheese) and their bomb-diggity sweet potato fries that I have been CRAVING!! For dessert, we went to the Cocoa Bean, where we both got SUCH yummy cupcakes!!!! Well, and they had a special so we got drinks too. We were feeling SO fat and full, so we went home and got into our pj's and snuggled up to watch Selena and were interrupted a couple times by people coming in. So we didn't finish up. But fiiinally all my WONDERFUL roommates came home and we were all talking until finally it was just Heidi and I and we talked until 3 in the morning. Haha I'd say quite a great night.

Alex has the Party In Your Mouth cupcake. Mine is the Dirty Turtle cupcake. SO amazing!

Then on Saturday, Alex and I woke up and I talked to my grandma for a bit and then we went to the gym and worked off everything we ate the day before. Haha Ps-We have been working out every single day for at least an hour and a half. I expect you to be shocked with the results soon enough! Anyway, then we came home and decided to make banana pancakes...even though it was like 1:30 in the afternoon. Great choice. Wait, back up. A long time ago, we decided that we were going to do Easter baskets for each other. So after breakfast, we all drew names! Well, then we were invited to an Easter egg hunt a couple apartments down at 107 at 6 so we showered and everything and at 6:30, we headed over there. Granted, we seemed late, but like 10 minutes before that, we saw people heading over there so we assumed we were okay! But. We weren't. So we scrambled up to campus and saw a group walking down from campus and they said it was on campus, so we started to run up there, until they said you had to be on a team and we didn't have any of the clues. Clues? Yep. It was a scavenger hunt. Definitely missed a giant chunk of the rules. Haha But they let us join their team. (Team Katie, Jared, Ben, Jeff, me, Alex, and Heidi) So we ran around campus like a chicken with our heads cut off until we finally got to a clue and got stuck. For a good 45 minutes. After that, it wasn't fun anymore and we called for directions, which ended up being to "just head back to 107." Then! When we got there, apparently we'd lost. Well they let us know: this guy kept pushing a box of Drumsticks towards us so finally, I was like "Don't mind if I do!" and Alex & I both took one. Well, then the head girl mumbled something, but neither of us heard her. It took everyone looking at the two of us and a couple seconds for me to realize she said "Oooh. The Drumsticks are for the winners." and they made us hand them back over!! They ended up giving us a bag of Hershey kisses, which we used later. We decided after getting lost AND losing that we would just do our own on Sunday and set the plans! Anyway, then Heidi, Alex, and I all went over to the Dollar Store and K-Mart to get things to make our Easter baskets! When we got back, it was time to eat and head off to the "Dance In the Hart!" I think we looked rather cute, wouldn't you say?

Well, we must have because we were dancing our brains out and having soooo much fun, and people just kept coming over to join our little threesome group and before we know it, we literally had 15 or 16 people all dancing with us! It was pretty awesome. :) We didn't stay for the whole thing, we ended up leaving about an hour into it, because Alex and some of our other friends were all waiting for us to head over to Alex Young's house to go swim!!

I couldn't get a picture of us until we were all wet and in the bathroom. I know, depressing. And Holli Harris is in the shower to our left. Haha But she was there! Along with Chase, Logan, Derek, Matt (Logan's new roommate), and one other guy. But we played in the pool until the lights got shut off on us at 11:00. SO funny too because literally as Chase JUST finished saying "Hey guys, the pool closes at 11," the lights shut off. So we jumped out. But after that, we were nowhere near tired, so we got home, snacked, and then Heidi, Alex and I went about stuffing our eggs we bought to do our own egg hunt on Sunday!

Sunday morning (EASTER! Hoppy Easter everyone!!!) we all were getting ready and took a couple minutes in the morning to get these cute little guys:

Mine is the second from the right from Alex and I made the very left one for Andrea. It was SO great to do a cute little thing as an apartment. We're already so close, I can't even believe it. I feel like I've known these girls my whole life. We can all be our goofy selves and we just laugh ALL the time. We love hanging out together and I cannot believe how well we all get along. I'm so so so blessed to have such amazing girls as my roommates. I truly can't say enough nice things about them. I love them to death.

Okay okay, enough mush. I get it. But today, we all went to church and had such a great day! The bishopric gave introductory talks and all were so great. I love those guys. I've missed them. Then Alex taught Sunday school and did SUCH a great job! She was such a natural. Owned that lesson about how Christ is the Light of the World like a pro. And Katelyn did a great job teaching about friendship in Relief Society. I feel like we are going to be quite a tight-knit ward. I can't wait!!! After church, cute little apartment 15 in Bunkhouse invited us over for dinner (we had chicken alfredo-AMAZING. Best I've had in a while) and we all got to know each other a little better, which was nice because I only knew like 2 of them. [ps-their names are James (er "Jimmer") Jacob, Jeff, Jared, Brad and Bryce. So. The J's took some remembering. Haha] Fast forward to when Heidi, Alex, and I all headed over to Porter Park and split up the eggs to hide them and then Jeff and Cami came and joined us. Just about when we were running out of eggs, the rest of apartment 15 cames scampering up. We gathered around and were waiting for Andrea when these little kids (who had already "found" two eggs) came over and Jared invited them to join us. They were BEYOND excited.

Before...

After...And of course, when we got back to our apartment, we found this...again.

Finances Vs. Final Cut Pro

You know what makes me feel super creepy? Sitting in the library, looking at everyone else's computer screens. I'm actually fascinated by what everyone else is learning! One guy over here (yes I am doing this as we speak) is just sittin back, relaxing, while reviewing this intense looking PowerPoint about finances! Uh, I took the easiest finance class and you better believe I was not sitting back, relaxing. More like sitting three inches from the screen, reading the same paragraphs over and over, flipping through page after page, and getting bald spots all over my head. So. I should give him a high five right this second. But…obviously, I’m not that weird….most of the time. There’s other people who are writing long papers, watching required videos (it looks like a war documentary! Nice.) or writing lengthy responses to class blogs. But all of it looks so cool! It’s so crazy to think we are all here at the same school, but we are learning all kinds of different things based on what we like or are good at. We all start out kiiind of the same, but by the second semester here, everyone is at completely different points in their life! Finance guy liked that stuff that made me want to shoot myself. I personally like people watching and learning how to approach them and give them information about what’s going all around. Federal loans vs. Final Cut Pro. It’s just crazy.

I’m such a people watcher though. I definitely picked the BEST major/minor for myself and I can’t even describe how excited I am about my classes. In fact, in like 30 minutes, I get to go to my most favorite class of the semester I think: Interpersonal Communications. The first day, we all sat in a circle and took turns going around the room learning interesting facts about each other! Well, you know, after going through the syllabus. Which, by the way, was hilarious! And he gave us this lesson that I cannot WAIT to share if I ever get to be a gospel doctrine teacher again. But it seemed to go by so fast and I learned a lot about everybody. One girl told how she was “so happy to have hair again” because she had cancer and a couple semesters before, she would go to school one day as a blonde, and another day as a red head! So that made me really think. Another guy shared that he organized a play and donated every single cent made to a charity he and his friend started after their friend was murdered. Whoa, right?! And I get selfish about making sure my money stays mine. I’m already learning so much and I can’t WAIT to see what else this class has in store for me.

I also love having a sociology minor. Because I feel like once I learn about minorities and poverty in my Soc classes, I can better communicate with numerous types of people from multiple backgrounds. I can’t wait. I have a VERY good feeling about this semester. Best yet? It’s definitely shaping up to look that way….

Surfs Up!

Oh my gosh, today was AWESOME!! What an awesome last day in my love, California.

So today, Erin, Mike, and I are all sitting around talking and eating pancakes for breakfast (because there was literally NOTHING else-no milk, no bread, nothin) and we were talking about seeing the Martins, who are visiting and going to Huntington Beach today. Well, Erin and Mike didn't want to drive aaall the way over there (2 hours I'm pretty sure). So I'm sitting there, texting, and Erin says "Poor Ash. She's wanted to go to the beach so bad before she left for school." And Mike says "Well let's go!" Now, you know the Thompsons. Spontaneity is not exactly what they are known for. So you better believe I was SO excited when we actually got going and ready to leave! BEST part was that Alex and her cute mom came!!! The weather was soo warm and nice! Everyone was in a good mood, the water was FREEZING, but fun, and Alex and I even went to Ruby's on the end of the pier to get shakes! Just like the old days. Love it. [Although we literally BURNED the crap out of our feet (in addition to my INSANELY painful sunburn!!) Seriously. It really hurts to walk barefoot. I'm dumb and forgot shoes and Alex, being the best friend in the world, decided she wouldn't wear them either-lesson learned.]

Anyway, I am just so blessed to have such awesome people in my life and to live in SUCH a BEAUTIFUL place! We had so much fun just playing in the water, talking with each other, gabbing to and fro the whole way there and back. It was just so so so much fun. I'm SO glad we all went together. What an awesome way to end my time here.

Yes, I know, this is sounding repetitive. But short story-Mason was HILARIOUS in the water. Through his four year old shivers, he was standing right in front of me so that I could lift him to jump the waves, and he would say things like "1, 2, 3, 4, SANTAAA!! That means 'jump' in Spanish Aunt Ashwee." (which is actually close; it's salto! He's a genius!) and "I CAN'T DO THIS BY MYSELF!" and "I think I am going to jump on fishies..." I loooove being an auntie. Goodness gracious do I love my life. :)