across from campus

i have been a busy woman. Actually, I haven't been horribly busy, but I have been lazy when I am not busy. Anyway, here's my life.

-Logan is awesome. It's pretty, and everyone here is really really nice. I haven't actually met anyone that is grumpy or mean yet. Today was the first of many cold days. I kinda snowed. I hear it snowed down south too though..

-I am FHE mom. I am pretty excited about this! I think it will be fun and I have some fun ideas for activities. I don't know my family very well yet, but everyone is really nice. Because my apartment complex happens to be one of the nicest locations in this nice town!

-My classes are pretty chill. My teachers are all really good, and some are way funny. The only class I hate going to is family finance, even though the info is very very useful, it hard to follow and pay attention in class! My most entertaining class is human development. My teacher is practically a cartoon character! It's awesome. But really, the best part if all my classes is that I am already starting to apply information from each class, except maybe human development. Family and Consumer Sciences is a good major.

-My new laptop is sweet. It's so useful and it fits in a lot of my purses because is little, which makes it easy to take to my friends' apartments and such.

-My room is cool, and so are my roomates. The best part of my room is my star wars poster. And my Ponyo Poster. And my roommates are all really fun :)

-IWA is my favorite part of the week! My IWA group feels like it was handpicked for me! We have so much fun every meeting!

Here are some of my favorite events that have happened with pictures:

Bear Lake: The saturday before labor day, Heather, Rachel, Jesse, and I went and chilled out at bear lake for a couple hours. This is the first time I have ever been to bear lake! We just walked around and relaxed on the beach, and gathered seashells. Rachel practically buried herslef in the soft sand, and I gave Jesse a wedgie. :)

Roomie Picnic: On labor day, Heather, Abby, and I went on a picnic on the Quad, and we took some cute pictures and just had fun! Later that day we watched a bunch of movies and made crafts, and "cleaned the sink" which happens to be the ice cream eating challenge at a local resaurant.

Fairytale Photoshoot: One of my friends from IWA, Laura, invited me to be part of a fairytale photoshoot with her and her roomates. So, we dressed as fairytale characters and had a blast! It was one of those magical, sparkly moments that comes close to actually living in a fairytale.

Homecoming dance: The dance was way fun. We did do lots of dancing, which i am so happy about. Craig and I dressed 1940's style, since it was kinda decades themed. It was fun to see all the costumes and outfits people came up with. Everyone looked great!

Homecoming game: So, football isn't as fun as basketball, but it's still fun. That is what I discovered at the homecoming game. We won, and I am so proud of it. But, my favorite part of Aggie sports really is singing "The Scotsman."

Yep. Other than that, I am just having fun chilling out with friends and doing homework. Last night there was a pirate party where everyone dressed up as pirates and we watched Hook. I'm glad I found a group that I fit in with up here! hahaha

Emotional Commotion

It's almost the end of summer. I already miss it. In a few days, I'll be moving to a very cold place, and I am not a fan of the idea of leaving this perfect weather to go freeze my butt off. 

The end of summer always brings such sadness and regret to me. I don't often regret things, but I am filled with regret at the end of every summer. If only I had taken more walks, made more smoothies, swam more, played more.  This summer gets a little extra regret in particular because of the lack of work I have done, resulting in a lack of funds. I tried really hard to get a job, and then I got really sick, and by the time july arrived, I was done with trying at life for a while. I have done a few amazing things this summer, but it has been a very disappointing summer. If only summer could last longer here in northern Utah.

Nevertheless, I will list the good things i did do this summer:

1. Joined a fighting club. So, i didn't go regularly, and I still suck at sword-fighting, but it was really fun. And it was a new experience.

2. Did a lightsaber flash mob. It was so fun to play around at the park with lightsabers! 

3. Went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  The pre-show party, the costumes, the food, and the great amount of pretending was amazingly fun. 

4. Star Wars birthday party.  Thank goodness for themed parties. This was the best birthday party I have had yet in my life.

5. Making accessories with my friends.  Getting together to listen to music and make cute things to wear, as well as talk, is excellent. And it felt like I had been shopping, without spending tones of money.

6. Going to Lagoon. I rode Wicked a couple times, and the whole day was just fun. Definitely glad I went.

7. Reading Harry Potter. I read books 4-7 all over again, and that was great. Reading in the summer is important.

8. Spending tons of time at Miche's and downtown in general.  It's always so refreshing to hang out with Miche and Jency, and I am glad for the times I was able to walk around and shop with them, as well as Megan and Kim, on separate occasions. 

9. My concert.  Putting together my own solo recital was a fun challenge I so needed and enjoyed. It went so well, and although I missed some people that weren't there, oh well, they'll just have to miss me. Because they sure aren't going to see much of me anymore. But, I sang well, and I made people laugh, which is what I wanted.

10. Becoming aquainted with the Zelda games. I had already played a little old school Zelda in my life, but this summer I got to try out Ocarina of Time, and Twilight Princess.  Awesome games. 

11. Watched, and introduced my friends to the movie The Sasquatch Gang. Such a hilarious movie! Also, watched Ponyo! Myazaki amazed me again.

12. Went all out for nicklemania. Craig and I saved up all our change for the summer and had sooo much fun! 

13. Mine and Craig's anniversary. We went and looked at some art, and then the next week had a nice hike and campfire.

Things I wish i had done:

1. Gotten a steady job. Well, obviously.

2. Learned to sew.  

3. Taken more evening walks

4. Gone to a water park.  Too poor for that though.

5. Played in more sprinklers

6. Had more campfires.

7. Went on more hikes. But at least I am going on one more before I leave.

8. Ate more popsicles.

I am starting to miss a lot of people already. Moving and saying goodbye makes me sad. But, on the other hand, I am going to say a lot of "hellos" soon, and that will make me happy.

Utah

A lot of people complain about Utah. They think it's such a dorky place, full of intolerance, annoying kids, and backwards viewpoints.

But I love living in Utah, even if the winters do kill me. (at least we don't have horrible bugs in the summer) And July 24th is the day to celebrate the settling of our state, I am going to write a list of reason I love this state. (yes, I stole this idea from Jill, if you read her blog)

1. The underground fashion community-yeah, Utah isn't one of the most fashionable places in the country...I mean Macy's is relatively new to us, but there are a lot of people here that have a very unique style. And our fashion community isn't full of competitive prissies, from what i have seen.

2. Our local businesses-This ties in with the fashion stuff, but Utah has some sweet little boutiques, restaurants, etc. And a lot of Utahans really like to support the local scene, which I think is really cool. And where else can you go to a Mexican restaurant, tell your waitress you'd like a virgin Margarita, and hear the reply, "Oh, all our drinks are only served virgin here."

3. Zoo, arts, and parks-Utah is full of celebration for education and culture. There are so many fun educational activities! I love it, because it adds so much variety to what i can go out and do.

4. The variety of the landscape-It only takes about a half hour to go into the mountains and see no signs of city life. You can go on a hike in the afternoon, and be back home by 6 to eat and change into something nice to go dancing! And if you want more of a desert feel, it doesn't take long to get to the desert. In fact, and hour drive to the salt flats will render the scenery completely treeless. Like water? There are some way fun lakes. all over the state. And if you want a cheap, warm vacation in the middle of January, St. George is a reasonable drive.

5. Snowboarding-Oh my heavens....snowboarding on perfect, fresh snow is one of the closest things you can get to independent flight. And there are tons of places to go. Some resorts aren't as cool and only allow skiiers... And then, you can't forget sledding! Our winters may have bone dry air, but our snow is perfect!

6. The grid system. It makes life so much easier. Give me a set of coordinates and I will be able to find you. It's rare I actually need extra directions.

I honestly love living here!

p.s. Tonight I watched a way good fireworks show, and it made me think. Are people living vicariously through fireworks in order to express their joy/excitement? is that why fireworks were invented in the first place? I know that when I am excited about something, I wish I could fly around and sparkle and explode. Maybe that's why people cheer so much at firework shows.

Harry Potter

I went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince a couple days ago at the midnight showing.

And yes, it was awesome, if you haven't seen it.

And yes, there are some things I wish they had made more true to the book. But that's not what this blog is about.

I just want to say how I think it is so awesome that there is a whole...subculture, stemming from the Harry Potter books. How there are bands that write songs about various characters and situations. Or how about the fact that you can get candy based off the snacks described in the books?

It was just so great to go to the theatre dressed up, and see like a thousand people there that were also dressed up in amazing magical costumes. And all those people were friends that night, because we were all pretending to be part of a made up magical world together

It's very important to experience something like that in life. To get into something wholesome and unique, and celebrate it with others.

Updates on an increasingly nerdy life

Harry Potter: Just finished re-reading The Goblet of Fire on sunday, and I am stoked for the Half Blood Prince opening. Craig and I are going as Ron and Hermione, so I am keeping busy embroidering a yellow "R" onto a maroon sweater for Craig. It looks crappy, but it kind of is supposed to, right? Also have watched 3 of the five current movies in the past couple weeks. Love it!

Fourth or July: I went boating with Craig and some friends for Independence Day. It was really, really, fun. Waverunners are now my new favorite. I also learned a lot about the nature of surface tension. We did some tubing, and most of the time I was just hanging on the tube with my hands, while my lower half bounces off the water. It hurt. I discovered that Utah Lake isn't really gross like it has been rumored to be, although i am sure it has it's moments. But I love it because it's so huge and the water was the perfect tempurature!

Singing: For the past month, I have had laryngitis, which means I had to talk and sing as little as possible in order to help the swelling in my vocal chords to go down. In this time, i have realized what a vocal person I am. I sing along with almost everything i hear, I have a sound effect for almost everything I experience. Not doing all these things has taken a lot of willpower that i have poorly excercised. But, finally, my voice is getting better, and I am resuming preparations for my upcoming recital! Yay! I think if singing were a horrible sin, I'd be running right down the stairs of hell, with a smile on my face. Thank goodness it isn't.

Fighting: So, I have reached the height of healthy nerdiness, and joined a medieval fighting club. You know, the foam and ductape swords, the costumes, the battles in the park....so far i really like it, even though i am horrible at it. Everyone is so nice, it's a great workout, and it's definitely better than sitting around at home.

Zumba: I have been working on a great Zumba workout routine playlist on Youtube in the past few days. I am pretty much addicted to Zumba, and there are some excellent workouts on Youtube! It's my broke way of going to the gym. Her are a couple favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THcyrCrahTs







My favorite styles in Zumba are Hip-hop and Cumbia. I also tend to go for the Reggaeton stuff, and my teacher when I took a class last did great Reggae choreography. But sadly I haven't found much good Reggae on youtube yet.

Last but not least: I am so broke. Because, I am trying to save up money for school in the fall, but I haven't been able to find a real job all summer! I have applied so many places I wanna die. Now basically I am just trying to do whatever little things I can. So....I just want to let everyone know that I am a great babysitter. And I have a LOT of free time. If you know me, please contact me!

The little things I like about summer

~Having time to clean my room
~The strong smells on summer nights. Flowers, cut grass, fabric softener, rivers, pond, and sprinklers...these aoll come out so beautifully during a walk arounf the neighborhood on summer nights.
~Downing Otter Pops when you get them at that perfect slushy stage.
~Going on walks at random places and parks around town.
~Little neighborhood kids coming over to play in the middle of the day and i actually have time to stop and say hi to them.
~Playing Dance Dance Revolution with Kristan at night even though it's sweltering hot. (so we open all the windows)
~Going out to check the mail and realizing how pretty everything is.
~Wearing shoes that are easy to put on
~Driving around at night with the windows down
~Free outdoor activities and not having to bring a sweater.

Things in my life right now.

~Unemployment. At this point, I have little more than a month and a half to actually, you know, work...so I am going to keep looking for a job, but focus more of my energy on making money in other ways, such as making and selling accessories, babysitting, gig-like stuff, (such as working at events) etc. This whole job hunt has been so frustrating. I can't even let myself think about it too hard, because I just start thinking of all the things I could've done differently, and wondering why I am not good enough. Every step seems to have had a roadblock with it, and it's been really hard.

~Laryngitis. I haven't been able to sing for 3 weeks, which drives me nuts. It's taking a long time for my throat to heal, and that's partly my fault, because I talk a lot. ugh I just like talking so much though. I like clear communication where everything is confirmed and everybody says their point. But how I long to just sing along with the radio.

~Swine Flu. Craig (along with a few other friends) had it, which means I didn't get to see him for like a week and a half. I missed him. But now we get to hang out again, and it is really fun. It's always so fun with Craig

~Hair Accessories. Last night I had Miche and Jency come over and along with my sister Alyssa, we made tons and tons of cute stuff to wear in our hair. Making accessories feels so great to me. And now I have cute new things to wear!

~Support. I have had a few people be way more supportive and kind to me than I ever expected lately. This is good, because recently it seems like it has been one disaster after another for me, but I have such great friends pick me up off the ground and say, "Hey, people don't like you to be sad. Have some encouraging words and compliments, on me." :)