Hidden Blessings

It's days like this where you just want to go on a nice long walk and listen to some Norah Jones and maybe even have a good cry.

FINALS. ARE. AWFUL.

Pretty sure I am just preaching to the choir. But what you may not know is that as a comm major, you have about 4 tests and 15 projects to complete the semester. As a result, my computer usually looks like this. No lie.

But as I was walking to class to take a final (which was moved by the way so now I get to go back and take it later), snow was falling all over my frozen wet hair and eyes, and I was so cold and all I could think about was how I am sooo close to being done and then I get to have the BEST break in the world! I get to FINALLY see my sisters, hang out with my awesome parents, play with my cute nephews, take care of my pregnant sister, and best of all, I get to marry the best person I've ever met in my whole life and start our life together!! And then it hit me: I whine way too much!! Things could be so much worse! I could have slipped on the snow or gotten hit by a car or have no idea or no way to get home. It's never as bad as it seems in the moment. Now, I get extra time to study and take my other (LAST) final and then I can go home and pack and clean and get ready to go home! Plus, it is so nice outside right now, I have great music to keep me busy, and it's nice and warm in the buildings. So. There you go. Blessings are hidden even in what seems like the WORST of days!

On another note, James and I got our very first wedding gift yesterday from the Buckleys! We were so excited! They gave us this gorgeous picture of Christ in such a nice frame! It was beautiful and their card was so sweet. We are so thankful to have such loving, caring people around us who send us all these good wishes. We couldn't ask for a better support group of friends and family and it just becomes so obvious how lucky we are every single day. I am so excited to marry James sooo soon!!! It's going to be a fun, great life and I'm so excited to be right by his side every step of the way.

One more test! Come on people! You've got this! Whoooo!!

Rexburg Showers

My sweet little friends decided to throw me a bridal shower while we were here in Rexburg! My hilarious friend Katie had it at her apartment and her & Ashlynn made dinner and dessert! It was really awesome to just get to relax and I had SO much fun just hanging out with girls!! We just talked and talked. I also got some really awesome gifts! It doesn't get much better than that! SUCH a great night, best I have had in a while and I love my girls so much! Thank you guys for an awesome bridal shower!

Abby and Carina came! I was sucking the cookies out of my teeth. Please excuse me.

We had Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner and then decorated bridal-ly sugar cookies!

Alexsa, Katie, and Ashylnn. So cute. Thank you Andrea Olson who took the picture.

I can't wait until we are all reunited one day after Alexsa is back from her mission, Katie will have had her little baby, and I will be a married woman! It's going to be awesome!

Off-roading

I am pretty happy to be alive today. 

James decided that he wanted to go off-roading and I decided to tag along. So we all piled into two Jeeps and took on the terrain. I have to admit, I was cracking up like a maniac and it was going so well! We were going up and around things, bouncing up and down, having such a fun time. Until.

Stephen decided to go up a hillside that was pretty steep. After watching him, and hearing all the girls screaming, we were a little freaked out, but Nathan decided that his car could definitely handle it too.

Wrong.

We started up and made it a pretty good amount up there, but it wasn't enough and we started to fall BACKWARDS back towards the ground. We ended up (literally) at an angle and the back of the Jeep was pushed into the snow. But! I didn't even scream! I just figured I was going to die and started to think about what I would tell my relatives up in heaven when they asked why we did such a dumb thing. Ps-The feeling of falling backwards while you are looking up at the sky is actually terrifying and NOT fun contrary to the boys' beliefs. But Stephen came back after us and after like 20 minutes, we were able to be pulled back up and took another route up. Then we went back to swerving and mudding and crawling up big rocks. It was an adventure, that's for sure. And I made it home safe and sound to tell you all about it.

Early Mornings in Edit Bay #23

In my multimedia video journalism class, we were asked to take a picture of our favorite spot on campus. I thought it was going to be a LOT harder. I thought about all the different spots I have grown to love over my four years here. There's a lot. But I guess there is one place that has always been pretty special to me, especially since now I live in the Spori.

This is edit bay #23.

It may seem strange, but this is my most favorite spot on campus. Countless times, I have come to the Spori basement early in the morning and closed the door and turned on only the spotlights to edit footage, work, or do homework, while I listen to my favorite music. In a strange way, I feel like I am the only one in the whole basement (maybe even the whole Spori) and it makes me feel like I can really get things accomplished. I've always loved getting up early and starting on my day and so with the dim light and the super quiet environment around me, I just feel at peace.

It also has to be #23 because it is furthest from where all the action and busyness is. It was the one I finished my very first package in and where I have had really great conversations with a lot of friends I made down there. This edit bay was the one where James first came down to hang out with me when we were just becoming friends. He met my friends, brought me some dinner, and we talked in this room for such a long time. It was also the one that would not open my first semester and it always seemed like it was so mysterious. So when I finally was able to get in, I felt like it was a secret hideout for me to lock myself away and do the things that I love the most. You could say it's my happy place.

That's why edit bay #23 is my favorite place on campus. Even with all those other amazing spots that I have so many memories with (like the couches in the common area of the Ricks or the library computers) I think some of the best days have started right here in this spot. I'm sure going to miss it once I graduate.

So Blessed

You want to know something that may sound completely crazy? There is someone I love so incredibly much, more than I have ever loved anyone or anything in my whole life...and I have never even seen or met Him.

I can't explain except to say that it is something so powerful that I feel every single day. It comes from inside and I can feel it everywhere. It is so comforting that any time I am feeling upset about myself or feeling like I am all alone or even feeling like everything in my life is going perfect, my Savior is there every single step of the way. I have never once felt deserted or like He wasn't listening. I am so thankful for a testimony of my Redeemer because in today's world, so many different influences try to shake it. But He has stood by me and made me more happy than anything else ever has. I can't imagine how it feels for Him when someone turns their back or does not believe in His power to cange everything. I am so so blessed to know that His hand is always stretched out to me. I am so grateful to have parents that made sure I went to church and went to seminary and prayed and counted my blessings. I have been so blessed to know without a doubt that my Redeemer lives. I see it and feel it every single day of my life and I am so indebted to Him. I can only imagine how much He loves me if I feel this way here in my little moment of existence with my limited brain. He died for me, and yet I know that he is helping me and standing by me all the time. How blessed am I?!

My teacher was talking about the Election of Grace, which is basically the concept that you get to have the gospel in this life because of your righteous faith and works in the previous life. I don't know how I got to be so lucky, but I am so excited to see Jesus Christ in the next life and meet the Holy Ghost and just throw my arms around them and thank them for everything they have done for me. And then get to meet my Heavenly Father and get everything I have ever wanted...the blessing of living with them FOREVER. I am so overwhelmed with love for my Savior. I am so happy with the choices I have made both in the pre-mortal life and in this one. I am so blessed. Read the scriptures. Pray about it. You'll know too.

Being Engaged Is Still Awesome

I am having sooo much fun being engaged!!! I honestly do not know why people get so stressed out planning a wedding! I am having so so much fun!

I'm sure it's because I have an AMAZING mom and set of sisters who literally have helped me with anything I needed and helped me get things done, and really, I've done a whole lot on my own too. The only part of the wedding I am not very good at is making some of the smaller decisions. Luckily, I have the best, most amazing fiance (I still super love saying that!) in the entire world who has been SO helpful and supportive and is there ANY time I need him. I cannot wait to see it all come together so I can marry the best person I've ever met in my whole life.

Also, yes. This may be a little getting ahead of myself. And I haven't written a thing on it, but I started another blog for when James and I [finally] get married...I did it now mostly for claim-of-the-name sake. I don't know if I should switch over to that one yet or not. Maybe I will write the proposal one over there for the first post? Anyway. Here is the link. Follow us!!

James and Ashley Anderson

*squeal* So excited!!!

In other (non-embarrassing) news, I get to go back to school in just a few short days and I could not be more excited!...and a little nervous. But when you are on the right path with priorities in order, Heavenly Father makes everything fall into place. So here's hoping I don't let anyone down! Should be a fun semester being engaaaged. :) Ok, I'm done. You can stop throwing up now.

From the Mouths of Buddies

I live around freakin hilarious people. So much so that I have entire quote walls dedicated to them up at school. And I just keep saving them. (I know, I'm kind of a pack rat. To a point though, I swear!) But before college, I only had my facebook. And I was reading these quotes from it and I think it's probably time for a little spring cleaning. A lot of these people have moved around and we're all so busy and doing our own thing with new people and surroundings that I haven't got to keep in touch very much. But I just couldn't bear to delete these off my facebook without putting them somewhere to look at later when I want a little reminiscing. So here they are for you to enjoy too!

"Who wants to work at a place that starts with wiener!?" - Rachel Martin

"I think World War 2 was just an inside joke between the US and Japan." - Drew Campini

"Wow. I've never had uncooked pop-tarts before...This is new...It's raw...Like pop-tart sushi." - Taylor Kunysz

Me: "Why would you put chunks in it? That defeats the purpose of a SMOOTHIE!"Alex Pinkham: "Yeah, it's a CHUNKIE!"

So question: If you had the choice between a million dollars and flying, what would you choose? ***See everyone chooses the million and it makes me mad. Heres the reason. You go find Bill Gates or someone else who has mass amounts of money. You go up to them and be like "hey I bet you 2 million dollars that I can fly." They take the bet because who can really fly? Well to their surprise, you can fly, and they lose 2 million dollars. So it turns out you get to fly and get twice the amount of money that was originally offered. See how smart I am? - Drew Campini

If I were going to swear, I wouldn't block out letters....I'd say the whole dmn word." - Stephen Cope

"Love is everything it's cracked up to be.It really is worth fighting for, being brave for,risking everything for. And the trouble is,if you don't risk everything, you risk even more." - Ilyssa Russ

"Well soooorry that I don't watch himlpkt42 like everyone else!" - Spencer Perkins

"Ok. Here's what men think about being gay......If the sex wasn't sooo terrible,...it would be awesome."(3 of us) "What?!""Yeah, because then it's just guy time 24/7. Screw girls!...Well, actually, I guess you wouldn't.." - Miguel Sanchez

"Google monkey woman research...sex" - Alex Pinkham

"Do I have a chubby face?............I feel like I look like an Iraqi when I look at myself upside down." - Ryan Stratford

(Talking about Iron Man) "Whatever! He liked that..Papa Potts!" - Alex Pinkham

"What? I smell good. I only sweat POSitive b.o." - Troy Shields

"In a way, being late is good. I mean there's the saying 'early bird gets the worm' but that worm was early too...so the real saying should be 'the late worm doesnt get eaten' " - Drew Campini

"(About love troubles) This is REAL life! Like biology? Who cares? I don't care about my cells as long as they're working right!" - Sibonet Holden

The Krupa Kouple

I am SOOOO excited that my two sweet, hilarious, adorablest friends got MARRIED on July 14th!! I am not kidding when I say I was looking forward to it since February when they got engaged!! I love those two. Andrea and I spent many a nights staying up and chatting about Nick & James and her talking about their relationship and the future she saw with him. It was so awesome.

Which was just like their wedding day-- everything was so beautiful and it all ran so smoothly, even with the slight drizzle! Andrea was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen-she looked so elegant and happy. Nick too. He was so excited! They had that whole "we're so in love and happy" glow going on all day long! I was seriously sore from smiling so much! I was so happy that Sib came with us and that I actually had a date to a wedding for once! (A handsome one at that!) I knew a ton of people and I was so happy so many came to support them and show their love. The dancing, decorations, and the food were all just amazing. AND! I caught the bouquet! Everyone gave James quite a hard time about it.

I love those two. I love when TWO of my friends fall in love, let alone one. Andrea has always been such an amazing friend and roommate and I am sooo blessed I get to have her in my life. And I am even more excited she and Nick found each other because I just love Nick. He is so fun and hilarious and full of energy and Andrea needed someone just like him. They are going to be the hit of any town they live in. I am beyond excited to stalk their cute little married lives. :)

A Dinner to Die For

Today I was redoing my Weebly (since the last time I really even looked at it was two years ago) and I had forgotten about all of my cute little projects from my first semester at I-News, now Scroll Digital. I was so creative with their names too (I remember always being super proud about that)

There was

• "An A-maze-ing Activity" about a straw maze in Idaho 
• "Creative Inner Soles" about people on campus who are obsessed with shoes and had a TON 
• "Rexburg Unplugged" (ok, not clever, but it was my VERY first package) 
• And one called "Like it's 1959" which was about the Emeritus Breakfast here on campus.

Unfortunately, the website I had those all uploaded on was totally redone. I literally was so so so sad when I found out. Nothing was saved. So I lost every single one...well ok, except one. I named it "A Dinner to Die For" and when you watch it, you'll obviously see why I think I'm so cool. Haha!

Anyway, I wanted to put it on my blog so I can have it forever. But I hope you enjoy it anyway!

Obviously Oblivious

We all know that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor. In different ways, at one point or another, he has proved that to us. Or maybe it's not a "sense of humor" so much, but the way he goes about teaching something. I was reading our Family Foundations assignment and then I saw this.

And I had to double check that, but yep. That's him, calling me out. And this isn't the first time.

Side story: James and I were both in class one time and asked our teacher about when he proposed to his wife. He told us they were talking after his mission, after they'd been dating for only a short while, and the subject came up. And she told him it would be better to wait a little while. Well his heart sank because he had the ring in his pocket!! So a few days passed by and he was thinking about it and he was confused. So he decided he was just going to ask her anyway. It would make her feelings for him very clear. So he did! And she said yes and that she only said to wait because she thought that's what he wanted to hear! James told me that's what he was going to do and I freaked out. It was kind of our joke (although, I don't think he thought it was a funny one) Fast forward: our teacher was conducting a panel discussion for our class. We always sit pretty close to the front, so we know Brother (Elder?) Chambers saw us. He asked the people up on the stand when is a good time to pop the question. And James and I both looked at each other, knowing he was asking for us. (One of them answered that you should take the girl on a nice picnic by a river. Then, walk across the river and push her in. If she comes up smiling, you should marry her. If she doesn't...you should run. Haha!)

Heavenly Father knows that we (He & I) have been talking (and obsessing) about different things and he doesn't joke around when he wants me to get something through my thick head, let me tell you. I think it's fun when he sends little messages to me here and there to let me know he knows. He gets it. And he also knows I am pretty stubborn so need to remember that I just need to just let him answer me in his own ways, in his own time. Gosh, where would I be without this gospel?!

The article goes on to say some really beautiful things. (Obviously. I mean, it's come straight from the mouths of seriously spiritual in tune men and women!) So I suggest you students take that class and do NOT take everything you read and hear with a grain of salt.

Anyway, there it is people. You want to know what suddenly made me change my mind about waiting? I guess among other things, it's the big, fat hint from my Heavenly Father.

Five On the Fourth

 If you know me at all, you know that the Fourth of July is SO much fun for me. In fact, I made not only James wear red, white, and blue, but his dear little roommates also all walked out that door wearing red, white, and blue. (Well, I wasn't the only one encouraging it so that's a relief!) I love the fireworks, I love the colors, I love the music, I love the food, the celebrating...just everything. But especially the fireworks.

Yeah, I know. His pictures were WAY better. But this is the best I got with my phone.

So me, James, Brandon, Whitney, and Matt all went down to Idaho Falls for a fun-filled day of celebrating! And not just the patriotic kind, but it was Whitney's birthday too!

First, we visited Jacob in the hospital, and he is doing great. The last time James and I had seen him was about a week earlier and he was doing so good then too, but he didn't really smile and couldn't really maintain eye contact. Plus he was pretty antsy and couldn't stay in one place and wasn't making a whole lot of sense, but we could understand what he was trying to say. This time was MUCH better.

He was awake and about and was back to teasing James just like they would before the accident! He was making perfect sense, smiling, laughing...it was so awesome. And James didn't come right out and say it, but I saw him light up. He was so happy with Jacob's progress and that his friend was doing SO well. He's recovering faster than any of us thought! So thank you all for your prayers and keep them coming! :)

Look how handsome he is...okay okay, that's enough checkin him out.

Then we headed to Idaho Falls to find a parking spot before it got too crazy. We'd stopped at Subway to grab some food to eat there and Brandon knew this family who lived RIGHT by the river and roped off their property for their friends and family to sit. And they knew Brandon so they let us sit there! It was awesome. Prime parking for our little bums. And I enjoyed my Meatball Marinara despite all those disgusting bugs trying to get in my nose. We went exploring too, which was cool. They had a ton of little booths for all kinds of food. Pretty much anything you wanted, you could find it there.

Once we were going to pass out from the heat, we decided to come back. There was an older couple that was DJ-ing for the whole block pretty much (interesting choice of old music that I couldn't tell if I loved or hated) and they were eventually asked to play some other music that was a little more trendy. That was fun. I was the only one that got up there and danced with complete strangers, but it was so fun! Then, some of the family members that owned the home (who I forgot to mention--everyone sitting on that lawn was Hawaiian or Poly looking. So fun) got up and did some dancing for us! They were SO amazing! It reminded me of back home, when we would have luau stake dances and President Beck would bring his sons & cousins and teach us all the Haka. It was great.

Eventually the fireworks started and Matt & I just gawked at how awesome they were while James snapped away on his camera. (Brandon and Whitney sat behind us) The Idaho Falls show is always the way to go. It's HUGE, longer, and there are SOOO many fireworks. They literally light up the sky. I don't know if he was kidding, but James said you could probably see them from Rexburg! Then, us tired little guys all went home and went to sleep. So lame we had school the next morning. I guess you win some and lose some.

Happy Fourth of July!

News Crews

It's official!! I am going to be the News Producer for Scroll Digital next semester!!! COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED!!! Can you tell?!

In case you don't know, that means I will now be getting paid for what I've been doing for free the last 3 semesters!! I will produce my own show once a week, teach people how to use all the programs and shoot & edit footage, how to put together news packages, and get to be in charge of one fun crew. I've got big plans so be prepared. :)

AJ and I pretending to be in the zone (when really, we had just been cracking up)

Boredom At Its Best

Everyone knows I can't be trusted to get things done without distractions. I can't help myself! I have 90s Pop flowin like mad on Pandora, about 6 tabs open (BUT 2/3 of that IS school related!) and sunshine in my soul! Hence, things like this happen in the Caves of the Spori.

I hope I will still have friends after this post. One can only hope.

Snow Better FHE

I haven't talked a whole lot about my roommates this semester because we've all been so busy so we don't have a lot of play time. But today was just what we needed because after we got done at FHE (we played kickball against another family, which I was SO proud of everyone for doing amazingly. I love my little family) we decided to go down and finally get some snow cones! Can you believe they were the FIRST of the semester? I know. It's so sad.

The funny thing was that without planning it, we pretty much met up with the entire other team!

I know it's so weird, and it probably makes me sound like a fatty, but one thing I looove about Rexburg in the spring is when the snow cone stands start popping up everywhere! They are insanely delicious. You pretty much can't go wrong. And this place put extra syrup in theirs...just my style.

Our (Almost) July 4th Outing

Yesterday was a VERY good day.

James and I, Brandon, Whitney, and Matt all went down to Driggs to have dinner with a family that James taught...Hold up.

Side note: I LOVE visiting people from James's mission with him. It is SO fun to see him light up every time he goes back. (Incase you don't know, he served in the Pocatello, Idaho mission so we're pretty dang close to TONS of people!)

I know he was a really good missionary a) because EVERYONE knows and LOVES him, b) because people have countless stories about him and his companions and he laughs through the whole thing and gets fired up whenever they recount them to me, c) it's in the hugs people give me, let alone him and d) he's James and has THE most caring heart of anyone I have ever met.

Anyway, so we had a BBQ dinner with them and talked with their family and the boys tossed around a football with their kids while Whitney and I watched and tried to avoid Brandon's "secret" flying rocks. It was really fun. They were so nice and I felt like I'd known them forever even when I came in the door. Then we all went to Huntsman Springs together and (although we missed Glenn Beck!) set up camp before the big show! Matt did homework, Brandon & Whitney explored, the Spencers were right there snuggled up to each other next to us, James set up his camera, and I just took it all in.

These gems were after about 25 picture attempts...seriously.

Jayme and Christine (James's roommate and his fiance) even met up with us so we all got to watch them together! And man do I LOVE fireworks. The Fourth of July is probably my third favorite holiday (I mean, you just can't top Valentine's Day and Christmas) and it makes me SO proud to be in this crazy, unpredictable country that was founded on morals and the freedom to do so. Can't be beat.

These are the SUH-WEET pictures James got!! They look like some awesome galaxy exploding!

What can I say? I just love my life. And I love my friends who make the drive home 10 times better: nodding their cowboy hats to random strangers (and since we are in Idaho, they do it right back) and a driver who takes the SCARIEST, but easier path so we don't have to sit in a looooooong line of cars just to save his car (that's my country boy who needs a truck. Haha) and who decide that ice cream is a must at midnight. Yeah. Pretty amazing day.

The Poetry of Pranks

I have to say, it is just no joke when people say the little things matter. I have had SO much fun trying to surprise James with the littlest things: leaving little army guys all over his room for memorial day, putting gummy worms in his bed, bringing him a little cupcake when he needs a little break...just things that would make him laugh or even just smile at how ridiculous I am. My most favorite I had to say was putting a whole pad of stars all over in his car about things I just love about him while he was fishing with some friends, and saying it was because he (warning: you are about to be totally cheesed out) "lights up my life." It was pretty fun to see his reaction when he came over afterwards. "You sneaaaky little girl..." and had a big smile on his face and wrapped me up in a big hug. I was way too proud of myself for pulling it off, but that made it all the more fun. He's just as awesome as they come.

Why yes, this bag is already empty.

But don't think I get all the fun. He's a spoiler himself. James does little things too like stops and gets me my ALL TIME FAVORITE groceries when he's shopping at Walmart.

Basically, all I am saying is that it really is so fun to serve someone else and make their day. So even if it's the littlest thing you don't think will matter, trust me. If it makes them give you that adorable, knee-weakening smile, it's definitely worth it.

In Family Foundations today, we talked about "expressions of love" and our teacher asked us if there was one thing that you would do every single day to keep a marriage happy, what would it be? And we said things like "pray together, say I love you, talk to each other in the eye, cook for each other, read scriptures together (I mean, hello. It is a religion class) but I loved that he talked about the little things. Making the bed for the other person when they are in a rush, packing a little lunch for them, giving a good morning kiss right when you wake up. He also showed us this video (and yes, okay. I got all choked up. But I just love the way Elder Scott talks about his wife. He is the ideal spouse and I hope I am the same way for my husband)

Our teacher also told us that Elder Scott was approached on campus recently when he came to speak a little while back by someone who offered him part of their chocolate bar and he said "No thank you, Janine wouldn't approve."Brother Chambers said that even after death, those two are still growing together and that is what a celestial marriage is all about. That's what I want. And that's exactly what I am going to strive for. I may look like a crazy hopeless romantic..and I am..but at least there won't be any doubt in my other half's mind.

 Gosh, I just love love.

Moving Right Along Down the Bucket List...

I got to help pull off an engagement today!!! Oh my heck, it was so much fun!! (Although, I have to say, the suspense was killing even me! I can't imagine how poor Jake was feeling all day!) We had my amazing, hilarious, sweet, beautiful roommate, Thais, believe I had to do a story on her (about how she is from Brazil) for my class and it was urgent because it was last minute. So we (me, Jake, Thai, Grant, and Alex) all get set up in the Crossroads for a nice little friend meal and I started filming Thai, asking her about how things are different here than in Brazil. Then I went into dating life here at BYUI ("Are you dating someone?"..."How has Jacob changed your life here?" etc) Unbeknownst to Thais, her ring was sitting in the little bag of peanut M&Ms that Jake was holding, but every time he offered her some, she shook her head politely...We all held our breaths...after wrapping up the "interview," Jake finally is holding the ring behind the bag and pulls it out to show her. She gasped, he got on one knee, they exchange a moment (I was so sad you couldn't hear ANYTHING) and ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom, they are engaged!! And you'd think in a public area, there'd be a lot of attention, right? No. Grant, Alex, and I all clapped and cheered and only two other guys at a nearby table glanced in our direction long enough to know what was going on and they clapped a bit. It was so fun though!! Thais said she was sooo nervous about the interview and could not BELIEVE Jake was eating M&Ms in the middle of it. So hilarious. She said she absolutely had NO idea and that she thought it was going to be tomorrow (Friday) Anyway, I am SO happy and excited for these little preciouses and I LOVED talking to Thais about all night long. She is so happy and excited. :) Congratulations guys!! Thanks for letting me be a part of your fun day and I can't wait to edit the video into something amazing for your wedding!! Wee!!

You can't see the ring very well, but mark my words: GORGEOUS.

In other news, MATT YIM GOT HIS MISSION CALL!!!!! He is going to Beliz, El Salvador!! I know, everyone better watch out because he's coming. This guy is going to shake up the mission!

Best Friend Birthday Bliss

I haven't posted in a long time. (In blog world, 2 weeks is literally a lifetime) Anyway, some very exciting things have been going on!

But I need to rant for a second. I NEED some form of constant picture taking at all times. My blog is so lifeless because I don't have my camera (and let's face it, probably won't for a very long time) and I don't have an iPhone, an iPad, an iTouch--iGotnothin. So until I can get my dreams to come true, I hope you guys like reading and seeing pictures that you've already seen on facebook.


Sunday was my best friend in the WHOLE wide world's birthday!! I know, I'm sure you all saw it on your calendars. I mean, it is pretty much a national holiday...or at least, it should be. Her boyfriend, Grant, and I had been setting this in motion for like a week and we went to great lengths to make sure she had NO idea. 

• We went to the store and picked everything up while she was at the store
• He came over after church to hang out with her and had Thais and Jake there
• While that was going on, Andrea & I drove over and met Angie and Grant's roommates who were more than willing to help decorate the place while I made a cake
• Grant had made chili dogs and those were waiting patiently in the oven
• We had told her that we might be able to go to the cabin
• I told her I was going to James' apartment for a minute when I went to Grant's
• Grant took her out to dinner the night before
• I secretly texted all of her friends about it. So did Granty
• And best of all, everyone kept their mouths SHUT!

It was awesome. Phil (Grant's roommate) tried to get it on video, but they came over so fast that we forgot to push record and just had to roll with it. BUT. She was surprised. And so happy. That was the best part. It was such a FUN day and I hope she knows how much she is loved. We all ate food, hung around, chatted it up, and it was just a good day. Eventually, we all retired to homework (which was awful) but Alex woke up to streamers around the apartment and I had taped them ALL across her door so she could break through them when she woke up. Plus, Nathaly and Taylor made her a trail of paper hearts into her room when she came back from her party. Ms. Alex Pinkham is one amazing best friend people. Let me tell you. She's a hilarious, sweet, thoughtful, smart, honest, giggly, friendly, nurturing, good listening, stylish angel wrapped into one petite, cute little package. If you ever get to meet her, you should consider yourself one lucky person.

She seemed pleased. :)

Side note: It was soooooo sad to see her a little sad that nothing was really going on for her birthday. I just wanted to shout "We didn't forget!!! I promise you are just going to DIE of birthday happiness today! Just wait like 2 hours!!" but obviously, I couldn't. I just had to think it at her. Broke my little heart strings that she thought we'd just let the day fly by. Ha. She should know us better.

Best friend. Forever and ever.

I love these hilarious girls. 

He better be looking at those chips.

High fives for Granty and I for pulling off one amazing surprise party!

I love you Alexandra Lin Pinkham! You are more than what is expected of a best friend and I can't wait to laugh when we're 53 about how we were freaking out when we turned 23! You are the greatest person I know! I hope you had the most fun and fabulous birthday! I can't wait to be there at the next one!

Rapids and Wrecks

It was quite the interesting day today.

For our ward activity, we all went to Rexburg Rapids! There weren't that many people at first, so everyone was kind of bummed, but then later so many more came, including all the bishopric! Last spring when they opened, I had thought about going, but Bronson, Alex, Ben and I had all decided it looked pretty lame and would be fun if we were like 4 years old. So I never ended up going. 

However, when you are reaaaally bored on a weekend, you reconsider a lot of options and I decided that I was going to go with my cute little roommates, Taylor and Nathaly. And it actually turned out to be pretty fun! We went straight for the slide when we got there (which turned out to be a great decision on our part because don't let this picture fool you--it got cold and it got windy) and we floated around on the lazy river a few times...plus, everyone brought lots of food so we all had fun munching on chips and homemade fortune cookies and getting to know people in our ward! I was so glad they asked me to go with them because it really was a good time!

But.

Then when I was sitting down--eating, talking, and trying to dry off--Scott (who was sitting across from me) noticed that my phone was ringing. Good thing he told me or I wouldn't have saw it. James was calling me, which was weird because he was supposed to be out mountain biking with his best friend, Jacob Pitt, and a few other people. So I answered and right away, by James's voice, I could tell something was wrong. It was pretty windy and I had to keep asking him to repeat himself, to which he said "Would you mind going somewhere you could actually hear me please?" and James has never talked like that before. So I go off and he told me the worst news.

Jacob had been going off a jump and crashed...hard. He had been wearing a helmet and everything, but he was knocked unconscious. They had to life flight him out to the hospital in Idaho Falls and everything. James was calling to tell me that it didn't look good so he would be at the hospital the rest of the night. It was soooo sad and scary. If you knew Mr. Jacob Pitt, you would know that he is just a hilarious ball of energy. So when James sent me this picture, my heart totally sank to the bottom of my stomach. I'll keep you updated, but today definitely took a turn for the worst. Pray for this little guy.

I Love Luke...LOVE.

I promise I am not a TV junkie! However, I do watch the Bachelorette religiously. And I just have to say three things.

1) Emily totally has a best friend named Ashley!!! Coincidence? I think not.

2) LUKE BRYAN GAVE THEM A PRIVATE CONCERT?!?! Shoot! I'd date Emily!! (Sigh. My true love playing for my "best friend." Doesn't get much better than that.)

Have I mentioned I am in love with Luke Bryan? Like in an unhealthy way?

Swoon. My heart just exploded.

It's my dream to go to one of his concerts. Keep that in mind around my birthday or Christmas time.

Okay. Anyway, today was SO stressful!! Holy smokes. I actually had to miss one of my classes to take a midterm and it took me so long (2.5 hours) that I missed anchoring for today's show. I'm so depressed. That's one of the things I definitely look forward to during the week. I also finished my first special news report so I was pretty excited about that. AND I got all my homework done before 2am. Busy, but productive day? You better believe it! Random, but it's still an update. Stay tuned to see all the final products!

We All Do It?

I got to go to another wedding this weekend (I know, I am pretty lucky), and boy oh boy do I LOVE weddings! They are so freakin cute and so much fun! Especially when you have a couple as cute as those adorable lovers. I'm gonna tell you all about it.

But. Before I begin, can I just say THE most embarrassing thing happened to me before our day trip even started? So Aaron (who was kind enough to give me a ride down to Logan) called me and told me he was out front. So I walked down the stairs and out the door and saw the silver car sitting out right in front of our doors. I saw some guy in the front seat and was like "Oh that's weird. He didn't tell me someone was coming with us...Eh. Whatevs." and I tried to get in but it was locked. So I went over to the other side and they unlocked the doors for me and I sit inside. And I start to talk when I notice that Aaron was looking really tall...and super skinny.....and kinda tan....OH MY GOSH. And that's when it hit me that I did not know EITHER of those guys and I was most definitely in the wrong car.

So as fast as I possibly could, I casually say "Wow. This is not the right car." (Oh please tell me this happens all the time! Right!? Am I right?!) and try to make light of it by giggling on my way out. I was way too mortified to noticed, but I'm preeetty sure they laughed too. Probably to make things less uncomfortable all around. But I jumped out and ran over to Aaron's actual car, parked the next row over, and jumped in and just absorbed what had just happened. And Aaron asked," Did you just do what I think you just did?" as he's cracking up. And we both had a good laugh at how I could be so embarrassing. I shouldn't be allowed out into society.

Triple A

Change is freakin scary. If you don't think so, you're lying to yourself. No one likes to be taken out of their routine comfort zone and have to adjust to a whole new lifestyle.

What do you mean I'm freaking out?! No I'm not!

Ok. Maybe. I realized today how much my life is going to change come July...whenever the last day of school is. After that, my amazing roommate that I love to death, Andrea, is marrying the love of her life, Nick, but she moves out like this weekend! It totally sucks. We'll never be roommates again. :( No late night talks and eggs. No more weird questions for each other that I secretly love. And no more hugs just when I need them. And then Alex. Don't even get me started! My best friend in the ENTIRE world, who has stuck with me in EVERY single stage of my life (ok, since we were teenagers. That's when it counts anyway) is....oh man I'm choking on the words.....graduating!! Don't get me wrong. I am BEYOND happy for her and I know she is going to be the hot teacher that everyone loves and make serious bargains for just to get to be in her class. But I am going to fall apart without her. Just a lot.

What I mean is I love these girls so much and we've been through a lot together. It's weird to think they won't be right down the hall from me ever again. Sigh. But I know I will love you guys forever and we'll stay in touch. I'm not too worried. Girls will be girls, and I sure do love mine.

Shawty, Fire Burnin on the 4th Floor

There was a FIRE in our complex today!!! Holy smokes (pun intended) it was so scary!! I had just gotten out of the shower and gotten dressed. I sat down to eat some of my healthy brownies (yep, it's true. Here's the recipe if you want it!) and put my make-up on when all of the sudden this BLARING noise literally starts screaming in my ears! It was SO loud and obnoxious and we all had to exit the building. Well Nathaly and I were out there for like 45 minutes before she had to leave for class and since it was getting late and I was not going to be able to get ready and leave for class, I called Rachel Robinson, who is one of my wonderful producers for Scroll Digital, and she told me to take pictures and do a story (eventually, she zoomed on over with a camera since I had none. Thank goodness!) We were all outside for the LONGEST time. The sprinklers went off in that apartment and the firemen had to spray it too so there was water coming out of the building (you can see it in this picture on the left, under that silver car and beyond) and there were like 5 fire trucks coming around. It was just all so crazy. We've had a somewhat false alarm before and had to exit out (I wasn't there but apparently it wasn't that big of a deal and all they did was burn chicken and set the smoke alarms off) but this one was full blown. Cops. Firemen (all balding except for the precious little intern we interviewed).

If you want to see the story for Scroll Digital, click here. It tells you what happened and shows how ANNOYING those alarms really are. Picture them going off for like an hour and a half. And blaring right in your room while you are just minding your own business. So crazy. I live in quite the action-packed complex.

So Long

I'm going through a bit of devastation and withdrawls because the season of New Girl....has....ended. (Yes, I know I'm dramatic. Sue me) But here's to the memories of me cracking up to myself late at night. It's been a good run Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Cece, and Winston. Love you guys. See you soon.

Everything Works Out

I was texting my dearest little friend (and cousin we've discovered!!) Andrew and I was complaining to him, as he usually lets me do (I know. What a guy right? Sorry ladies, he's getting married!), and how there were so many things I was unsure about. Not knowing exactly what my future holds is one of my biggest fears. I'm very much a plan-ahead kind of person.

Anyway, after all my griping, he texted me not to worry. Everything I'm feeling is completely normal, and necessary! He wrote "...don't worry. Everything works out." Not everything will work out, which is what the default answer usually is. And that doesn't ever make me feel better. It's like saying "someday" or "eventually" and both those mean I have to wait and continue worrying. So it struck me because I thought about all the times I had already thought all these same things. And I'm still alive, happy, and doing great! He's right! It has always worked out for me! Maybe not the way I thought, but if it's led me to where I am, I'll continue to be alright. It really does all work out, one way or another. So for all of you who are in the same spot, I'm here to tell you that things are going the way they are because they are supposed to and you don't even see all the other things happening right at this minute in preparation for you and for your next moment. It really does work out every. single. time.

Random Rant: There is SO much going through people's minds. It's such a crazy thought that literally everyone you walk by is thinking something in their heads, right at that moment. Maybe even screaming it. I wonder what would happen if I could plug in my headphones and listen to them all. Think about all the things you could learn about a person. And if everyone could hear me, I think they'd be shocked. There's so so so much people don't say so they just let it out in their heads. Anyway. I was thinking about that on my long walk to class today. So. It made it into my blog. Haha

Mother of Mine

Ok so anyone who knows our family knows that May is one CRAZY month for this crazy family.

May 6: Erin's birthday and Carter's birthday AND Mom & Dad's anniversary (Happy Anniversary favorite parents in the whole world!!)

Happy 7th Birthday Carter!!

Happy 32nd Birthday Sissy! (This picture looks better if you click on it Sis. Promise)

May 13: Mother's Day
May 15: Mom's birthday

Happy Birthday and Mother's Day Mom!! You are just the best ever.

And I love her so much because we do things like this. Haha

May 18: Erin & Mike's anniversary (Happy Anniversary my favorite Thompsons ever!!)

And I have a BUNCH of friends with May birthdays. So anyway, this is to tell my whole big, awesome, amazing family how much I love them. I sent you all cards to make sure you know how much and why exactly, but. This post is because I want you to know I recognize these days and I love that there's so much fun stuff going on! I have THE best family in the ENTIRE world!!

Saturday Hike

We're all going on a day-long picnic today!! This should be really really fun. I'm excited. :)

My only complaint. I am supposed to be ready at 10:00am. On a normal, not-weekend day, I'd like "Whatevs." But.

BYU-I Do!

Saw this at the bookstore today.

BYU-Idaho: Turning stalking strangers into married couples.

R.I.P. Old Chaps

Does anyone else feel like their friends pretty much die when they get married?

You know because once they're married, they'll have their own stuff going on and their own plans and no time to catch up and hang out? Plus that would just be weird I think. Is it selfish? 100%. I mean, it totally sucks. Losing friends one by one to someone who gets to be their partner in crime forever. But it's actually very incredibly awesome at the same time. So it's weird: it's pretty much THE most bittersweet feeling I get.

What can I say? I guess I just picked friends that were way too awesome for an easy-send off. Haha But for reals, congratulations to ALL my friends who have been getting married, engaged, having little babes...I couldn't be more happy for you because I'm pretty sure it just doesn't get much better than this. :)

I Wish That I Could Have That Moment 4 Life

Last night I had a dream that I got to interview Nicki Minaj, but all of my questions were so dumb! Like what her favorite flavors of snow cones were and if she liked Hawaii. Good grief. So disappointed in Dream Ashley. She's going to ruin her career.

On the positive side, she said she loved Idaho because everyone was so nice and tried her best to make sure I got the interview, despite me having to run around and look for batteries.

Yeah, sick brain makes you dream some crazy things.

488

I know that it's only week...like four of school. But today it feels more like this.

Just sayin.

Family

I heard this quote in Family Foundations today. My first thought was how good peanut butter sounded at the time. (I've had this weird craving for it lately. I actually ate a few spoonfuls the other night! Right out of the jar! I've officially lost ALL respect for keeping my body in good shape) But after I came to my senses, I wrote it right down.

When Satan wants to disrupt the work of the Lord, he doesn’t poison the world’s peanut butter supply, thus bringing the Church’s missionary system to its collective knees. He doesn’t send a plague of laryngitis to afflict the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He doesn’t legislate against green Jell-O or casseroles. When Satan truly wants to disrupt the work of the Lord, he attempts to confuse gender and he attacks God’s plan for His children. He works to drive a wedge of disharmony between a father and a mother. He entices children to be disobedient to their parents. He makes family home evening and family prayer inconvenient. He suggests family scripture study is impractical. That’s all it takes, because Satan knows that the surest and most effective way to disrupt the Lord’s work is to diminish the effectiveness of the family and the sanctity of the home.

(It's from M. Russell Ballard's talk, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood in case you were wondering) 

 That is so true! If you think about it, the family is the nerve center to what makes a person who they are! It is in the home with our families that we are taught how to be with people and interact with them, but also where we develop our morals and personalities. It is where we learn and grow in the principles taught by the Lord's leaders. It is where we learn to be leaders and where we learn how to love. It only makes sense that Satan would have to get to the root of it all so that he could poison all the roots.

I've been really nervous about starting a family (I think anyone who knows me knows this) but taking this class has really helped me to see that I'm not really seeing the big picture. I have so much to learn and my perceptions have already changed so much!...And I like it!

College Problems

People talk about what I am going to do when Alex graduates, or if I'm engaged yet (since they "had 3 kids at my age"), or if I've done my internships and if I have a job waiting for me after I graduate

So. Kindly refrain. Thank you.

Not Actual Work

My job is not actually a real job, because basically I just do tasks and get to hang out with the greatest group of people all day long. So I'm thinking that doesn't really count. After all, isn't work supposed to be boring and exhausting and you just can't wait to go home? Well that wasn't how it was with my job. I loved working at Papa Murphy's. Easiest job ever (making cookie dough, pizzas, salads...I mean, who doesn't love that?!) And I love these guys. And I am going to miss them SO much!!! They all brought me all these little presents and Katie even gave me a card! I seriously worked with the most fun group ever. I was always excited to come into work and see everyone and they made my lonely time in Murrieta for the break SO much easier and SO much more fun. It was so sad to leave them today and I was so touched by how much they were so sweet and everything they were saying. It's so weird I won't be seeing them everyday. Okay. Enough depression. I love you guys!! I cannot wait to see you when I get back!!