Sorry again.

Sorry all for the lack of postings... There just isn't enough time in the day. I will hopefully have some time tomorrow to blog a little!

Love you all!

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere I'd love to travel

Awe Man, I already did a travel post.... should have read ahead and chosen a different item off my bucket list to talk about on day 15. Oh well, I suppose I will go more into detail about my traveling plans and back em up with some photos.

This here is Peru. Machu Pichu to be specific. I was thinking about going on a humanitarian trip here a couple years ago, but never did. However, while looking into it I fell in love with the place and it quickly fell into the ranks of being one of my top places to travel to. Who doesnt want to go learn about the Incan culture and check one of the seven wonders of the world off the list at the same time?! I DO!

Then there is Greece. HELLO! can you say beautiful? I dont know how anyone can look at pictures like these and NOT want to go see it in real life.

After spending a nice day on the beach looking at all the cool buildings, then you can travel to Athens and check out this place... maybe learn a little about greek history and eat a delicious gyro. Sounds fun huh?

..... I will go there someday!

Day 19 - A picture of someone I miss

Happy thanksgiving everyone! What a perfect day for this post, being thanksgiving and a time for family.

These two are my grandparents. Bessie and Roland. 

Three years ago (august of 2007) they both passed away. My grandma had Lung cancer and she decided not to go through Chemo. She was given a short couple months to live, but she held on for a couple years. I think it was because of the love she had for my grandpa. Then in 2007 he got sick and passed away first. Two days later, my grandma let go and passes as well.

I cant believe its been a little over 3 years since they passed away. I miss them alot and look up to them in so many ways. They knew the importance of the gospel in their lives and the importance of family. They loved family gatherings, and it was one of my grandmas dying wishes that we still got together often. They loved each other so much! They set an amazing example to me by the way they lived their lives. 

It makes me grateful for the plan of salvation, to know that I will get to see them again.

Day 18 - A picture of the cast of my favourite show.

Im not much of a TV watcher, I prefer movies.

For some stupid reason I really love reality television.
I know its not real, but its so fun to watch anyways! 

Here are a few of my faves when I do feel like watching the tube:

This show is a knock off of an older one called 'most extreme elimination challenge' that was on some random channel on cable and i liked that one better because of the funny commentary, but honestly, who doesnt like to watch people make fools of themselves?!

So you think you can dance is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! They are so talented and the dances they come up with are insane! (I went to their post season tour this year when they came to Salt Lake City. It was so fun!)

I didnt love this dance when it was on TV, but it was SO good live!

I am a closet bachelor/bachelorette fan. I really get addicted to this show, even though it is ridiculous and most likely very fake. The new season starts January 3rd and I cant wait.

This is my most recent discovery. Community. My sister ranted and raved about it for like 3 months before I finally watched an episode and I fell in love. Its the new office, but better!

Day 17 - My favorite song(s)

Really? Just one... how about A couple? OK!

Here is an old favorite from the highschool days (for those that didnt know me then I use to be into screamo... weird I know, because i am the most chill person on the face of this earth, but my teenage rage came out with bands like Thrice... and cauterize.)



I went off of screamo music my sophomore year of colllege, but I still love some of the old songs. Now I listen to the most chill music ever! This is a recent favorite (and it even has a little country twang, which I usually hate with all my heart and soul)



Then there is Joshua radin. I discovered him about a year ago... and I love EVERYTHING he sings. He is amazing.



A favorite from the radio? Sara Bareilles, king of anything.



A singer with an amazing 'pandora' station? Jay Brannan



I also love the piano. This song is a little sad but SO GOOD!



WOW ok, this post is long enough... There are so many more!

wait one more..... this is my old roommate katie. I could listen to her sing all day long. I sure wish she would record some music and give it to me so i COULD!

Day 16 - Someone I would want to switch lives with for one day

I have two.... First I think it would be interesting to live the life of a homeless person. I dont know why, but they are so fascinating to me. I live a pretty great live. Ive never gone a day where I have unwillingly gone hungry. I have always had a house to sleep in and nice clothes. I know I take this for granted. One day in that life would be eye opening and interesting.

Second, I have always wondered what it would be like to be married to the prophet. You never hear what her day to day is like. What things she knows and has seen being married to him. I think this would take more than one day to really experience this, but it would still be really cool, even just for a day.

Day 12.13.14.15

Really four days? I have missed four days? I tell ya, its so hard to catch back up. Luckily its sunday and I dont feel like going out tonight.. So I have the time to do things like cleaning my room, writing friends on missions, and catch up on blog writing.

Day 12 A picture of something I love

Once again, So many things to choose from... But I think I will tell you about the love that has been a constant in my life for a long time. ART.

In the 5th grade I had a teacher named Mrs. Cook. She was one of my favorite teachers. I got to write a little blurb about her on our classes page for the year book and I wrote 'I love her because she loves art and so do I' 

In the 7th grade I had a teacher named Mrs. Gustdavison (spelling may vary) Who pretty much everyone hated, but I loved her, and she loved me... It was in her class that I realized that I was actually decent at art. 

In 8th and 9th grade I had Mrs Francis. She helped me understand the principals behind art.

Then it was on to high school where I took painting my sophomore year and half years of AP art my junior and Senior year. I had a teacher named Mr Aitkin. He was crazy, he loved to speak french and the phrase 'dont touch the paper with your dainty digits' still runs through my head everytime I see watercolor paper (because the oils from your fingers will mess up your paints if you touch anything but the sides of the papers) We listened to pink floyds 'money' almost everyday. He loved that song. It was in his class that I really developed my artistic skills. He pushed us by assigning the craziest of projects. 

I left for college and knew that I wanted to do art. I started the BFA program my very first semester, It was the perfect major for me. I continue to love art and I think I always will.

I found a folder of old pictures of artwork from highschool... no one has ever really seen this stuff. Some of them are better than other. 

Day 13 - A picture of something I hate

Its true what they say. Hate is a strong word. 

I strongly dislike when people lack respect for others and when people judge others based on one little glimpse of their lives. 

We never know exactly what people are going through. No matter now close you are to someone, you will never completely understand what is happening in their lives at that very moment. This is a really weird example, but i am going to roll with it anyways. There is a part of 500 days of summer where Tom just got in a fight with summer and he is running down the stairs and he runs into two girls on the way down. He is a little annoyed and moves out of the way but ushers them on up the stairs in a very sarcastic way. The girls walk past them annoyed that he was rude... Those girls had no idea what just happened in his life, they just know that one little moment when he was slightly rude to them.

I dont like it when people honk. There are few time when someone meant to cut you off, or when someone sat at a green light for 5 seconds before going. You never know what exactly happened...maybe they just didnt see you or maybe their kid just threw a cup of hot chocolate at them and they got a little distracted... who knows why, but no one likes to get honked at. :) 

I dislike it when people leave trash places for others to clean up (even if its their job) or leave a crappy tip (they might not deserve 20% but at least give them something). I dislike it when people dont give other the benefit of the doubt. 

I am in no way perfect in these areas.... But I do try my best. 

(i just read through this one, and my thoughts were a little scattered... sorry) 

 Day 14 - Picture of someone I could never imagine my life without

This one is easy! Let me introduce you to my brother, Sam. 

 

Sam and I when we were young

Sam is 2 years older than me and has become one of my best friends in the last 5 years or so. We were kind of close growing up, and by that i mean we didnt fight too much. But we became really good friends while he was on his mission. He wasnt getting very many hand written letters, so i decided to stop sending him emails and start writing them. After he got home I was living in logan, but he moved to smithfield for a few short months and we took an institute class together where we got to talk alot and grow even closer. We've had a really good relationship since then and now he means the world to me. We are both living at home in kaysville, and its not the easiest thing for either of us. Its been really nice to have him to talk to when I am feeling down and nice to be there for him when he is feeling that way too. I love talking to him and hanging out with him. He is so caring and such a good example to me. He has amazing qualities, and whoever the girl is that gets him is going to be super lucky to have him as her husband. I couldnt ask for a better brother!

Day 15 - A picture of something I want to do before I die

Ah the bucket list. So many things that cost alot of money have made my list. Lets hope that someday I am rich enough to do them! 

Before I die, I want to visit all the continents. (or at least the ones that people regularly travel to) 

So far I have been to North America (obviously because i live there). 

South America. Brazil to be specific, but I really want to go to Peru. 

Europe. (I've been to Switzerland, France, and Italy) My next stop there will be England and Greece.

So now I just have to get to Africa, Australia, and Asia. (and if someday I have ridiculous amounts of money and nothing to spend it on, I will find a way to get to Antarctica)

WOW, fun times catching up on this baby. See you tomorrow!

A little suspense for all 10 of my readers.

Day 12 is being postponed due to the fact that Harry Potter is way more important that writing a blog, SO you will hear all about things I love and things I hate TOMORROW!

G'Night!

Day 11 - My celebrity crush

I dont have any celebrities that I drool over, however I do think  Luke wilson

is cute and the fact that he is kind of quirky makes him that much better! His characters are always really funny and a little weird, which makes him a little more real i guess. But if I am going on pure looks we'll go with Josh Dumamel 

He is beautiful! and I also love the characters he plays.

Last night I saw wallstreet with shia labeouf

I have never found him that attractive, but I thought he was really cute in the movie last night. 

Well, there it is for ya, my celebrity list. I think I would add a bunch of guys from the bachlorette, but I dont know if they count as celebrities! 

Day 10 - A picture of someone I see myself marrying/being with in the future

Ive been dreading this post a little bit, because I dont know how to approach it. If I had any idea of who the guy that I wanted to marry was, I would be married, engaged or at least dating him.

I could give you a list of my 'perfect guy'... Tall, dark hair, the inability to grow facial hair (because its gross), nice teeth, cares about the way he dresses, smells good, super spiritual, hopeless romantic, makes me laugh, smart, driven, talks alot, loves to travel, spontaneous.... the list goes on. But we all know that the guy that is in my head is NOT going to be the one I end up with. I will have to compromise on some things, and I am ok with that.  He will probably be completely unexpected. He will come into my life and things will fall into place. At least thats how I am told that it happens.
 
 So without further ado... the Man I will be marrying...... 

Haha, isnt he amazing!?! but seriously... The more guys I date, the more focused he becomes... I learn more about myself and more about the things I am willing to compromise on (and the ones I wont compromise). I am waiting for whoever he is, but still trying to improve myself so that when I do meet him, I will meet his expectations and he wont have to compromise his list too much.

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten me through the most

I am a very independent person. I dont usually share my deepest feelings with people. I hold them in and cope with them on my own. That being said, there is someone that, no matter how much I bottle my feelings up, knows exactly how I am feeling.

I went through alot of my friends and family members trying to think of the person who has gotten me through the most, and although they have all been there for support... they didnt get me through it. It was Christ that got me through the hard times. 

I dont usually post about spiritual things, even though I consider myself a very spiritual person... The experiences Ive had are very personal to me, and things that I would rather not post for the whole world to see. But i feel like it is appropriate today.

I dont have as firm of a grasp on the atonement as I would like to, but I do know that it happened and that Christ died for me. I think as far as trials go, I have gotten it off pretty easy so far. But those times when I have been down on life or felt so alone, I knew and still know that he will always be there.. that all I have to do is pray. Prayer is very real. It is the principle of the gospel that has always come easiest in my life. I have had many prayers answered and I am grateful for each and every answer I have received. My faith in Christ grows everyday and I know that the happiness that i feel everyday comes from him and from living his gospel.

I dont think that there will ever be anyone that will get me through more than my Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Day 08 - A picture that makes me laugh

I laugh alot. 

I am an awkward laugher (the more awkward I feel, the more I laugh) 

Sometimes i have a shaking laugh. Sometimes I have a loud laugh. 

I tend to laugh at things long after they are funny.

Its usually the memory behind the photo that makes me laugh, rather than the photo itself.

I have so many memories that I would like to share with the world... but chances are you will see the photos and not think they are that funny, because you werent there.

I will share anyways. 

We took alot of jumping into the luvsac pictures. Marindas faces were always priceless. I had alot more of those to share, but I thought she might not want the whole world to see them all. But I laugh alot when I see those. 

This one is also marinda (she is just so freakin' funny)... One day she pointed out that she looks like one of the aliens from signs walking across our lawn, and from then on everytime i see this picture I have to laugh.

 This here is the turtle chicken.... See the movie below.

Day 07 - A picture of someone that has had the biggest impact on me

There are many people that have come in and out of my life that have made an impact on me. I learn from everyone I meet and ever situation I am in. Sometimes they help me realize that I never want to live my life the way they do, and sometimes they inspire me to be better. Whether it is for the good or the bad though, every person that enters my life changes me.

About 5 years ago a girl came into my life by default. I signed up for the Connections class at Utah State and about a month before I actually started it, I got an email from my peer mentor.

Her name is MJ Tran. 

Inside joke... She loved sheep, She always threw it into conversations and randomly sent me texts that said nothing but.. "sheep".

MJ's job was to make sure that everyone in her connections class was transitioning to college ok. That they liked their roommates and classes and that they were getting involved and loving utah state. Retention was the reason she was hired and she did a good job. 

I had a rough first semester of college. I moved in with my 3 best friends and we didnt do well living together that first year. There was drama and i hated it. Only I had no one to turn to because the people that i would tell my problems to were the problem. So I turned to the only person who i felt cared about what I was going through. MJ.

We emailed about once a week, and when I say email... i am talking novel emails. I told her everything I was going through and she gave me advice and listened to my complaints. In november she made the suggestion that I try out for the A-team. So i did. She put in a good word for me and I got the job. That is when life turned around. We became really good friends (because she was on the ateam again, so I saw her all the time).

I probably would have left utah state after that first year if it wasnt for the Ateam. I met some of my best friends that summer and even more importantly I met myself. I learned who I was and for the first time I didnt know anyone... so I could be whoever I wanted to be. I lived up to the person I was inside my head and I broke out of my shy little bubble i had been living in my whole life. I owe it all to this girl.

I have now been friends with MJ for about 5 years and we dont talk as much as we use to, but I can honestly say that she is one of the most selfless people I have ever met. She knew what it meant to serve others without any expectations in return. You could call her in the middle of the night and she would be there to help you. She is also one of the most positive people in the whole world. She taught me how to laugh and to find joy in every situation. I remember her calling me one day right after she got in a car accident and she was already laughing and joking about it. (for those of you that know how low my standard is for what I think is funny its all because of this girl.) I still look up to her alot and feel like I owe alot to MJ and I will always be so grateful to her for being there for me my freshman year.

Day 05 and 06

Its 1:45, but if i keep putting off my blogs i will never end up doing then and like I am with my journal I will be in a constant state of catch up. So I am posting regardless of the fact that I have to get up at 815 tomorrow.

DAY 05- A PICTURE OF SOMEWHERE IVE BEEN TO

I debated between posting my first big trip I went on, or the last big trip I went on. I settled on the latter... because the photos are more accessible. However I do want to mention that going to Switzerland three summers ago gave me the worst travel bug known to man. every 3 or 4 months I get ancey and need to go somewhere cool and see something new. I dont know if I will ever get rid of it. Its more of a virus than a bug.... anywho, Here is BRAZIL.  (click to make the panoramas bigger)

 

 

The nice couple we stayed with... gustave and danielle! 

 The college we went to talk to about doing service in their community

Some of the kids from the school we went to work in.

I loved brazil and learned alot there.. I hope to go back someday. Maybe to see the iguacu falls?!

DAY 06- A PICTURE THAT SHOWS MY TRUE SELF

So I chose a few... No one said I had to choose just one right?! I decided my profile pics on facebook are about as 'me' as far as photos go, So i pulled off a few to show you who i really am.

First and foremost I am a Mormon. I Love the gospel with all my heart. It is one of the things that definelty defines who I am and guides me through my daily life. Last summer I got the chance to be an EFY counselor and to teach the youth of the church. I loved every minute of it.

 I am generally a very happy person.

 I can be super crazy when I get with the right crowd.

I am an Aggie through and through. I love utah state with all my heart and soul. I bleed blue.

I hate the winter and would love to spend my days on a beach like this one.

See ya tomorrow I suppose!

Day 05- Postponed.

Due to the fact that its late and i am tired. I will be writing day 5 and 6 tomorrow.

Goodnight Neverland.

Day 04 - A habit that I wish I didn't have

Im beginning to realize that everyday I am going to want to start my blog off with "there are so many things to choose from". This one especially.

I am someone who has recently (and by recently I mean in the last 3 or 4 years) discovered the joys of self improvement. I finally figured out who I am and who I want to be. So naturally I saw all the flaws and terrible habits that needed to change before I ever reached that point in my life. I am all about the soul searching and the goal setting. On a day to day basis it really doesnt feel like I have progressed much, but when i look back a little farther I see just how far I really have come these last few years.

I wish I could say I am now the person I have been striving for, but still after years of work, I have a long ways to go. Although I am sure you'd all love to hear the list of flaws and bad habits I think I have, I will stick to just one:

If I have money, I spend it.

• I dont like to go to the grocery store because I am that person that walks down an isle and gets sucked into a product for the way the packaging looks. 

• I'd rather not spend 20 minutes racking my brain figuring out whether the 20 cents i might save by buying the cheap brand is really going to be worth compromising the taste. 

• I like to shop. 

• If I lend people money and its only a couple bucks, I tend to just let it go.

• Traveling is expensive

• Im a sucker for a sale, but in the end I spend more because I buy too many discounted items. 

• Craft and Thrift stores are a crafty pack rats dream. I cant help buying things I dont need for projects I will never finish. 

• Eating out is just too good. 

 

I rarely buy anything really big, but somehow all the little things add up and I never manage to save any money. 

This is one of the next aspects of my life I will be improving, So wish my luck!

Day 03 - A picture of your craziest friend

I have many crazy friends. I classify them as crazy when they bring out the crazy in me.... All my friends do that to some degree, but here are my top Three:

AMY (REESE) KLUDT

We have been friends since the 8th grade and back in my extremely shy days, She was one of the only ones that could consistently bring out the crazy in me. We still have great time and laugh alot whenever we get together! 

MARINDA WARD (SOON TO BE ZALESKI) 

I met Marinda a little over two years ago and called her Maranda for the first couple months I knew her. After mixing up her name so many time, we were destined to become great friends. I love this girl with all my heart. I can go from being completely calm to crazy and loud the instant I am with her. She has some pretty awesome accents and really small hands! 

TERA MARIE GRANT

or as I like to call her: Teradactyl. We were both  a little intimidated by eachother the first time we lived together, but bonded after spending a whole 4 hours or so of being cha cha guides together. We shared a room this last year, and I dont think anyone has seen as much of my true personality as her. Inside jokes fly left and right when ever we are together and I LOVE IT!