The Sweet Life

Well the past week is over- which means I officially am done with all 5 of my beastly tests. woot woot! I took two of those tests on Friday, which basically took me all day and night, so no fun plans for Grace on Friday night.  Saturday however was a good day - and Valentine's Day on top of all of that!  I went into work in the morning, and two of the guys that I work with were having birthdays, so we had a huge luau themed birthday party.  It was super fun.  We invited other houses and a good time was had by all.  We played games, had hawaiin food and sang happy birthday of course.  Plus I received flowers from the fam at work, which were awesome! And everyone thought I was getting them from some hot boyfriend - haha.  Then after work I chilled with some friends from the ward, which conveniently live across the hall from me.  We went to grab some food and on the way home is where it all went downhill..... what happened do you ask?

It was a dark night, around 10 PM.  We were driving down a small road in Provo, Utah, listening to music and discussing our uneventful Valentine's Day night.  All of the sudden out of nowhere I see a cat dart out in front of my car.  Before I could even register what to do, such as swerve off the road and risk our lives for this cat, or slam on the brakes and cause the car behind me to rear end me, I ran over the cat full on, and that cat was huge! I was afraid it did damage to my car.  Then I look into my rearview window and see this cat bolt off the street and lay on the snowy grass past the sidewalk.  At this point I'm wondering how in the world the cat had the strength to not only get up after being run over by a car with 3 people in it, but full on run out of the way.... So after a little debate in the car, we decide to go back and check on the cat to see what's up.  We don't dare get that close to it, but it is obviously flat as ever.  Then after a long argument on whether or not this cat is breathing, we decide there is nothing else that can be done so we leave and go home.  If you feel the need to write an ode to this cat or something, we could have a little competition or something, just leave it in the comments and the more creative, the better! I'll think about one too.  

On a much happier note, I won $30!  At work we get these "Making a difference Daily" bucks. So basically good deed bucks.  Now I didn't do anything amazingly novel, so don't get too excited.  But my manager gave me one for the month, which means that your name gets put into a drawing for prizes!! Needless to say I won the $30 prize - which was the 3rd highest prize.  There was a $100 and $50, but I wasn't that lucky.... But still... winning in general is pretty much awesome.  Well that's about all for my adventurous life, until next time!!

Wednesday

Well the song of the day is "Somebody's watching me" by Rockwell feat. Michael Jackson. The reason being that this song has been in my head for the past EVER.  Probably because it's the song that plays at the end of all the new Geico commercials.  So everytime it's about to go out of my head, I will see one of those commercials and the cycle starts all over again.  Aside from buying that songs on itunes, making it extremely convenient for me to listen to it whenever I please, I also bought an awesome remix of it.  And as you all know, I love remixes!  If anyone has a good recommendations for some great remixes, I'm all ears.  I haven't been able to find anymore good ones on itunes recently, but the search goes onwards.  

And now back to today.  I have 5 tests this week, but fortunately I'm already done with 3 of them!  So it really hasn't been that bad.  Today in ballroom we had a sub so we learned the waltz just for a day (because we're still learning the cha cha).  The sub's teaching style was way slower that our normal teacher though, so learning the waltz wasn't as fun as I thought it would be.  I'm sure it'll be fun once I learn it with my regular teacher.  The class in general still continues to go well.  It won't be long before I'm a pro.  

I feel like my blogs have taken a turn towards the boring. That sentence doesn't even really make that much sense, but hey it gets the point across.  I need some new innovative ideas to add some flavor into either my life, so then writing about it will automatically be fun to read, or at least learn to make my life sound more interesting. haha.  I will have to work on that. I think that's about all for today.  New and exciting things to come! 

February is in the air

Hello all - it seems as if I've been a complete slacker as far as blogging goes, but there's no making up for it now, so the show must go on!  A lot and yet nothing has happened since I last wrote.  I feel like my life is extremely hectic and crazy and yet it remains stagnant because I'm always busy with the exact same stuff that I'm always busy with.  Church, school, work.  That's what I do!  So what HAVE I been up to do you ask?  Well a number of things.  As far as school goes, everything is going really smoothly this semester.  I've had a few tests this semester.  One was on the fox trot in my ballroom dance class.  I pretty much love the fox trot.  Now that we've moved onto cha cha, I love it even more.  The cha cha seems like it would be a lot more fun and sassy, but it's harder! haha.  I feel like there's a lot more that goes into it to make it technically correct.  But fox trot is so much classier.  Anyway - you'll just have to see for yourself if you ever learn these dances.  Then I had a french test which went really well.  But now I have FIVE, count em 5, tests next week!! That is definitely NOT normal, is it? Either way I'll get through it.  I'm really enjoying my classes this semester so studying for the tests isn't so bad.  

My calling continues to go well also.  I guess I could into that, but it really isn't that exciting.  Work is great as well.  Well I've seen two movies since I last wrote.  The first one was Bride Wars.  Usually when I see a movie I don't really know what to think of it so I need a day to sit on it and then decide if I like it or not.  When I got out of this movie I was kinda like "eh...it was alright," but knowing myself I waited a day to really decide how I felt.  After the next day I decided that I really didn't care for the movie too much.  I felt like all of the good pranks that they did on each other were in the previews, so there wasn't much of a surprise.  And then maybe it's just my sense of humor, but I didn't find it very funny either.  So all in all I'd probably give that movie a C.  The other movie I saw was "He's just not that into you," which I saw last night with my roommates and some other girls from my complex.  This movie had a few parts in it that I wasn't a huge fan of but overall it was a lot better than I expected it to be.  It was clever, humorous, and so very true.  I'd probably give it a B+.  Coming from me however, that means it was probably an A for everyone else because I'm usually into girlie movies like that.  

So I've been getting creative with my cooking lately and I have come up with an incredibly tasty meal.  It's not THAT original or anything, but still simple, easy to make, and yummy.  It's a breakfast quesadilla, but of course you can eat it any time.  I beat 2 or 3 eggs and put a few spoonfuls of salsa and a handful of cheese in the eggs.  Then I scramble the eggs and put them between two tortillas.  Then I warm the tortillas in a pan on the stove to the point where they are a little crispy.  Then I slice it up and eat it with sour cream on the side.  And it is basically amazing.  So I would recommend it to anyone that's interested in a simple meal.  Just thought I'd share that with everyone.  

Not a lot else is going on with me.  My life seems to continue to run smoothly, which just convinces me even more that this semester is going to be my best semester yet.  Oh and Obama got inaugurated since I last wrote, yay!  That was a good time.  Once again, people didn't seem to be too happy about it out here, but hey the people voted so that's that.  If I don't write again until after next weekend, which is very possible, then Happy Valentine's Day!! It's a good day, even if you're single!  

A Beautiful Day

I entitled my blog today "A Beautiful Day" because my life right now reminds me of the U2 song Beautiful Day.  It is really crazy actually.  A lot of things have gone wrong in the past month of 2 and yet I have never felt better.  I feel like I'm on top of the world, oddly enough.  I guess it's just a new year, and I'm determined to make it a good one.  Other than that I really can't explain my good mood.  I guess I am just blessed.  School so far this semester is going really well, and I plan on keeping it that way.  Then my calling is still going well, and work as well.  I still have the same problems in my life, if not more than I did in 2008, but somehow I feel this power from within that I can overcome them and be a better me.  It's a great feeling!  Let's hope it remains.  

So I forgot to say a few things that I have done in the past month or so in my last blog.  This past weekend, I went up to Ogden to see my cousin, Taylor, who just got back from his mission in Argentina.  It was really good to see him after two years.  It was also kind of weird as well, lol.  Most of my family was there, and it's always good to see them.  I just can't believe that I'm the same age as RMs! That probably seemed random for me to say that, but I say it because Taylor and I are 4 weeks apart and are the oldest grandchildren on my dad's side.  So obviously seeing him come home from a mission just reminds me that I'm that age, which is just so weird.  I guess I'll get used to it eventually.  

With my brand new attitude and self, I've been pondering lately how I've been able to keep my chin up, when the world around me is often so dark and dreary.  As I get older, life only gets harder.  I think a large part of that is that as I get older, I become more aware of reality and realize that my naive youth is just that - naive.  I realize that things aren't the way I always thought they were. Or that bad things don't only happen in movies.  When life throws us these trials, we can do one of two things.  We can either sink down into a depression and refuse to accept what is happening or stand strong and endure, looking for the blessings that we have inspite of the bad things.  I have never forgotten something my young women's president (Emily) told me a long time ago.  It doesn't seem like that long ago, but I guess it was like 4 years ago.  She said that when we ask the Lord to help us through our trials, He doesn't change our circumstances, He changes us.  He helps us to cope with our problems and get through them instead of just taking our problems away.  I guess we wouldn't learn anything if our problems were just taken away, right?  I think that is what has happened to me in this instance.  I feel this inner strength, and I know it isn't because I'm some amazing strong person, but because the Lord has helped me to learn to deal with my trials, and that knowledge gives me strength.  I guess that's what I've come up with so far this year.  I guess that's all for now!

Brand New Year

Well it's a new year.  It's actuall already mid- January.  The year is already going fast.  Time never stops I guess.  Well being home was good.  I didn't do much, but that's the way I like it sometimes.  I went to all the places and restaurants I wanted to go to, so that's good.  Christmas was good.  My aunt and uncle from KC came down for New Year's Eve, which was a lot of fun.  It was just weird being home though.  St. Louis will always be my home, but it just feels weird to go back since I pretty much live in Provo permanently now.  (At least until I graduate)  But it was good to see my family.  I basically spent all of my time with them, especially my baby brother, Ethan, which was a lot of fun.  We got guitar hero world tour for Christmas, which took up a lot of our time, lol.  And now here I am back at school for yet another semester.  I'm pretty pumped for this semester though.  I'm taking some good classes.  I have New Testament (the first half) with an awesome teacher.  I had him for Book of Mormon as well and he's just so great.  So that's going to be good.  Then I have a ballroom dance class which I was a little nervous about at first, but it has turned out to be really fun.  Then I have a French class and then a few history classes.  So I really enjoy all of them (except for my Utah History class lol)  We have to take that class if you are a history major, so that's why I'm taking it. 

Work is going well.  My calling is going well too.  I got new counselors, which has turned out to be a really great, even though I really miss my old counselors.  But it has turned out to be really good and I'm pumped for the new semester.  That's about all for now, I'll write more later!

2 More Days Until Freedom

Ok yes I know it has been quite a while since I last updated my blog, and for that I really am sorry, but December has been the craziest of crazy months.  I haven't had time to do a lot of things I need/want to do.  So what have I been up to this month you ask? Well it seems to all be a blur to me but I'll try and remember.  I turned 21 on December 8th.  And no it doesn't feel any different for all of you that are wondering.  I always thought that was a weird question to ask.  Nothing physically changed about me or anything just because I turned 21.  I don't feel any older, even though I guess I technically am.  21 does sound a lot older than 20 for some reason.  I guess I do feel a little older when I find out that girls I thought were my same age in the relief society are only 19.  And some are only 18! It is quite interesting to feel that way, but hey I'm used to it by now.  So my birthday was on a Monday so we celebrated the weekend before.  I wasn't really up to a huge party for some reason, so we just did something small.  On Friday night I went out to dinner with my roommates.  We went to CPK (California Pizza Kitchen).  I hadn't been there in quite a while, so it was really tasty and fun.  Then Saturday I worked all day and then went out to dinner and a movie with my coworker afterwards.  We went to Village Inn and then to see Australia.  I would highly recommend it, but just as a warning it is rather long.  But I have a weird taste in movies, so who knows if you can really trust me, right? lol

Then my actual birthday was really great.  My roommate, Hilary made breakfast for me and then decorated the whole apartment.  It was really thoughtful and nice.  My other roommates also gave me gifts, which was great.  Heidi gave me nail polish, which was awesome because I've been needing some new colors, and she actually got nail polish that stays on for more than day. lol  That's the kind I usually buy because I'm so cheap. haha.  Then Michelle gave me some stuff for scrapbooking that was super cute.  Can't wait to use it.  My family also sent me a birthday box with presents in it.  Then my dad sent me flowers that day which were beautiful.  I love getting flowers.  He also sent me cinnamon bears for some odd reason because I'm not a huge fan of those.  He loves them though so he said it was to remind me of him. lol.  But my roommate Hilary loves them so she has enjoyed them! :)  Hilary then took me out to my favorite restaurant - PF Changs.  Heidi and our friend Ashley came along, and it was really great.  At FHE that night we played my new game that my mom got me - Partini.  It was really fun.  Then we had cake and sang.  Overall it was a great day.  

That week however was crap because I had 3 papers due so I spent many sleepless nights working on those.  Fortunately my roommate Hilary was going through a similar situation so we stayed up together, which made it more fun.  Then this week has been finals, which is always extremely time consuming.  So I haven't had much time to do anything except study and take finals.  And I still have work this week, so that's been crazy as well.  But tomorrow is my last day of finals! So it will all be over soon and then I fly home Friday morning.  I absolutely can't wait.  Every year I think I can't miss my family more than I miss them right now (which is how I'm feeling right now) but I probably miss them about the same every year and have just forgotten what I felt like. lol.    But needless to say, I'm excited to see everyone.  

So that's pretty much what has been going on with me.  Busy Busy Busy! Which is why I need a long deserved break at home with the people I love most.  Well that's all I have for now, I don't know if I'll be writing on here much while I'm in St. Louis, so if I don't then Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! 2009 is going to be an awesome year!!!  I can just feel it.  

Christmas Time is Here

                                              

Hello all.  This is a video of one of the guys I work with dancing.  Yes it is sideways, and I have tried and tried and tried to rotate it, but to no avail.  So oh well, you can just turn your head.  Thanksgiving was a wonderful day (that's when I made this video.)  I worked at the house with the guys and made a huge Thanksgiving feast for everyone.  My coworker Tasha joined us around 3.  It was a great meal and enjoyed by all.  All of the guys were in a great mood, especially Kurt who ate so much food it was crazy.  Later on, another house of guys joined us to eat pie.  We had SO much pie it was intense.  I only ate one piece after everyone left because I was so incredibly stuffed all day.  But it all tasted good.  We also watched Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and did some Thanksgiving crafts.  Overall it was a fantastic day - one of the best Thanksgivings ever.  Here's a picture of all of us:

                                          

From left to right, it's Brian, me, Kurt, Tasha, and Scott.  Greg was having Thanksgiving with his family that day.  But overall it was a great day.  I worked until midnight, so it was a long day, but still a good day.  The next day I woke up and drove down to my Grandma's for the rest of the weekend.  When I got there everyone was eating leftover Thanksgiving dinner, so I joined them. The weekend was really great and very relaxing.  My two uncles that live down there as well were there of course, then my uncle from Logan was also there with his family.  We all had a lot of fun.  Friday night I went with my aunt and her daughters to a wedding reception.  They were just working in the kitchen so I was helping them serve food and such.  Saturday I chatted with all my aunts while everyone was getting their hair done.  (My aunt from Logan does hair)  We talked about everything from music to the new movie Twilight that just came out.  That night I learned to play Rook, and we played it for like 4 hours.  I never could win, but oh well it was still a lot of fun.  Sunday was another relaxing day.  I went to church with Grandma and Grandpa then had dinner afterwards.  I then left to go see my aunt who lives in Pleasant Grove.  I spent a few hours over there and then finally went home.  It was a great weekend. 

Now I just need to get through the next 2 weeks of classes and then its finals.  Only 19 more days until I go home! And I turn 21 in exactly one week.  I can't believe how fast it's all going.  So it's Christmas time officially now, and it's not even cold! And I live in Utah for crying out loud! It was actually warm today.... people were wearing short sleeve shirts and shorts... crazy.  Oh well it'll get cold soon enough so I should enjoy the warmth while I still can.  

Well Christmas time is coming, which means it's time for Christmas music!! Here are my favorite Christmas songs.  Getting ready for the season!

1. Do you hear what I hear? by Vanessa Williams

2. Let it Snow by Dean Martin

3. Believe by Josh Groban

4. Wonderful Christmas Time by Paul McCartney

5. All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey

6. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

7. Christmas Time is Here by Vince Giraldi

8. Christmas Don't be Late by Alvin and the Chipmunks

9. O Holy Night by Josh Groban

10. Still Still Still by Anyone really...

That's about it for now, the countdown continues for so many things, such as my birthday, finals, Christmas break, Christmas day, and then New Years.  December is the best month of the year! You can't convince me otherwise!