2011 Recap.

Since today is the last day of 2011, I decided to do a recap through my months the last year, So here ya go.

January

Honors Choir with my favorite people. Such a fun day and an amazing experience.

February

Turned 18 and had my last big birthday party. (Most of my bff's aren't even in this...)

Valentines Day with this cutie. <3

March

Ke$ha Night. because I did nothing in March...

April

Choir Tour in San Francisco! Best week of the year...till August.

Prom with Mike. and no eyebrows...

May

Spontaneous Dance. Best dance in all of High School.

Senior Sunset

Saying goodbye to these girls and Dolci all together.

Said goodbye to Grandpa Jack. miss you.

June

Senior Dinner Dance

Saying goodbye to all of these guys, Chamber, Smith. But Hello to having a life again.

Graduating! Entering the world, feeling as alive as ever.

July

Spending time with friends- sparklers.

Stadium of Fire tickets-for Free!!

My last Girls Camp. Champion.

Senior Trip that was basically a fail.

California with my whole fam. 

July was the month of travels...

August

Moved out of my house...

...and in with these girls. Made new best friends.

September

Met Jaron. Life=changed.

Celebrated Jenna's birthday- Chili's obsession began.

October

Chili's. again. This time with my new best friends.

Showing school spirit- Falling in love with Football games.

Murder Mystery dinner- I was a boy, these are my ladies.

Halloween- Trick or Treating.

November

Said Goodbye to Jaron Jason my best bf in the world...

Bonded with Britt... Enjoyed Fall

Bonded with all of our roommates for the first time. Bowling and Village Inn in Prom dresses

December

Had Christmas with the roommates.. said goodbye till next year

Came home for 3 weeks and spent it with the family.

2011 was a great year! I couldn't have asked for better friends, family, experiences, challenges or life. 

I loved every second of it. The good, the bad, the ugly.

2012. Bring it on.

Home for the Holidays

It was a good thing I moved out. I like family time more now and can bear it. That is a good thing with Christmas things the last week.
We started off with Christmas Adam at my Grandpa Joe's. Dinner, present swap, nativity, and the last night of Advent. It was a big hit. Most of that family lives in Texas so it was a pretty small gathering but still a good time.

Christmas eve was spent just with my immediate family. We went and saw Sherlock Holmes-2. It was fun. I hadn't been to a movie in a long time. I was confused through a lot of this one but it was fun. Then we sat around. We watched The Sound of Music which my dad proved to be a big fan of when he turned it into a sing a long. Then we opened our traditional Christmas Eve pj's then watched Pirates-3...4? The latest one. I don't know. I've only seen the first one....Then we all slept down in mine and Mal's room. We stayed up chatting and laughing. We obviously haven't gotten over being giddy on the Eve. 

Christmas day we always wake up at 7am to open presents. So the alarm goes off, we take our turns going pee then we can come upstairs after the awkward, I just woke up pictures, and stuff.

Yeah... Then we open presents for the next 2 hours or so. The big gifts this year were:

Mallory: Big comforter

Haley: Same thing. We always get the same big gift. It's a tradition.

Drew: iTouch

Jack: Bike

Spencer: Easel

Mom: iPod shuffle

Dad: Blazers? Pictures? I don't know.

Then of course we all got clothes, some games and toys and the basic Christmas things.

Since Christmas was on a Sunday this year we went to Church for the Choir program which was super over the top with full processional, bells, organ, 3 people playing pianos, solos, the whole she-bang. It was fun.

Then we went to Grandpa Jacks grave and saw his headstone up for the first time. It looks good!

Then we came home and took a family picture for once. It was a miracle really.

We watched the Grinch, took our naps then my mom's family came over for food, more presents and playing.  And the really awkward family Skype session. Uncle Chad keeps that one going. He doesn't like awkward times and apparently he had enough awkward dates that he's learned how to keep the conversation going or just to look stupid. Now luckily he has super cute kids to show off. 

I got majorly harassed by my family for having a boyfriend and why he never comes to parties or whatever. There are good reasons for this. It was horrible. I got embarrassed.

Then finally on Monday we had my Dad's family Christmas party with the usual. Dinner, gifts, pictures and Grandma's speeches. We did White Elephant and the best gift given this year was the book "The Art of Kissing" It can give you tips and how-to's for the "Vacuum kiss" the "Pain kiss" and "How to approach a girl."  It was a big hit.

 

So that was the Holidays so far. I've got 2 more weeks to be home and don't know what I'm going to do. But  I guess we'll learn. It will probably end up being like today. Sleep in till noon, watch tv till 6 with a nap in there somewhere, shower, get ready, then sit at home because everyone sucks at hanging out now. boo to that. I blame the NBA. 

Pre-Christmas Christmas Break.

So School is over! I passed my finals and my classes! All of them! I was pretty excited. No one seems to be very impressed with my C+'s but believe me, I was very much thrilled with these grades seeing as I had F's the whole semester. I'm feeling really good about having no school to do over the break. I can literally do nothing and I won't be behind.
So that's kind of what I've been doing. A whole lot of nothing.
Monday, Mal and I had eye appointments which went well. Dr. Bogus (yes, that is his real name) put that nasty yellow stuff in my eye that numbs it and I didn't like that but I got through it. Then one of my eyes went from 1.75 to 2.25. No wonder I couldn't ever see anything. Then my mom sent us Christmas shopping for ourselves. We went to a bunch of places and put things on hold for my mom to go back the next day and pick out what she would get us. This way we like everything we get, it fits and it's still somewhat of a surprise. We searched high and low for boots with still no luck. I'm not happy about that. But she promised before the end of the break we'd both have some.
Tuesday I babysat my crazy neighbors and we watched Hook. Love that movie. Then I went shopping for the cutest 4 year old in the world. Then spent the night with my big comfy bed and my pajamas watching Gossip Girl. I got to talk to my good friend Jake who helped my a lot with stuff going on. Welcome home buddy. :)

Wednesday I went back to the mall with Peter and helped him get some new jeans so he can look fly. The mall was insane. People are really good at procrastinating I guess. There was hardly any room to walk. Then that night I went with Mike and his wonderful family to the cutest little 4 year old's birthday party. Cute little Ellie had a Hello Kitty party. She is the cutest. She got one of those FurReal friends. It's a cat. Then I gave her some make up. Let's just say that cats look beautiful with blue eye shadow on. And Ellie is a great make up artist. whoops...
Thursday I babysat for a lot longer than I thought I would but it was fine. The 9 year old Sophie had told all of her friends the night before that we were having a Christmas party but didn't tell anyone, including me until an hour before. So we raced to the store and got candy canes and treats then we had a a lovely Christmas party full of musical chairs, freeze dance, and made hot chocolate. It was a good time. Then that night Mike took my to see the lights at Temple Square with him! It was so much fun. It was fun to have done that last year and talk about where we were a year ago. Love that kid. Then we do the gift exchange of course. I gave him a super cheesy Pillow Pet and  Brad Paisley cd to get him excited for the concert that I got him tickets for. (Which I had to make since they won't send me the real ones for 2 more weeks. boo.) Then what does he get me? Some school spirited mittens that kept me really warm downtown and a camera. Yeah that is right people. He gave me a camera. He is adorable. He knew I hated mine and that I've been slacking at taking pictures because of it. I just couldn't get over how cute he is. Then of course we watched Elf. So festive.

Today is Christmas Adam (Adam came before Eve...) so we're having dinner with my Grandpa and having our Christmas Eve festivities. Then tomorrow on the Eve, is family day. Believe me, I've been told this multiple times. They think I'm going to try and go somewhere..
Then it's Christmas and it better snow! I need a White Christmas. But I'm so excited for Christmas. Who doesn't love it though? I'm a little bummed it's on a Sunday though.. then I have to actually get ready and stuff..
Either way! Merry Christmas!

Finale.

This week has been a crazy one. It's finals week. My first experience with real, stressful, life depends on it schooling. I had to do well on my test to pass my classes and get credit.
You have to have a C- to get the credits for your classes at USU.
I passed my first final and was feeling really good about myself.
That made it so a passed the class with a C.
That's right. I pass and get credit.
I had a brief second of feeling bad for myself when I realized this was my first C of my life but then I realized,
 Hey! It's college. It's so much different then the schooling you've been involved in the last 18 years and you survived and get credits.
So I felt better. Yeah I didn't get straight A's like my sister did her first semester but I'm not my sister. And I still feel good about it.
College is hard and it's a lot of work. 
This week I learned how to work and study.
I studied my brains out. I did 4 reviews for biology and read 8 chapters for Institutions.
Mike, the little sweetheart he is quizzed me and helped me remember stuff that actually ended up being on the test! That's why I love him. What a sweetie.
I took a break from my mania of a week and drove down with him to SLC on Wednesday. We hung out with his mom, went to lunch, watched tv, the whole thing,
Then we went to out Alma Mater. Brighton High School's Christmas Concert!
It was weird.
Weird to be in the audience.
weird to listen to Dolci and not be in it,
weird to be an Alumni singing First Nowell-which I wrecked btw.
weird to see everyone for the first time since Graduation.
weird to just be back in that school.
weird to fight out way through the Seminary parking lot just so we wouldn't have to walk up the pit stairs. (Granted the stairs to Mike's dorm room are just as bad-or worse)
weird to hear what I was once apart of.
weird to know what was wrong, right, unbalanced, off-pitch.
weird to see how the simplest things really do make a huge difference. Like just smiling and enjoying it.
weird to see people that I hadn't seen for a good 4 months.
weird to want to just hug everyone like it was the good old times.
weird to go to Jamba after and not want to just be all over the place.
weird to feel blessed that I am completely done with High School. 

I just love college and going back to high school really reminded me how blessed I am to be where I am, going to school, living on my own, have great friends, and to be independent. Most of all to have things matter. I thought what I liked about high school was not having a care in the world. But I like that things matter now. That my decisions will effect my life now. Not just my GPA and my college acceptance. It makes for a good motivation builder.

Anyway, I took my Biology final this morning and feel GREAT about it. If I didn't do awesome on that test then something is wrong with this University. But now we wait and see.

I'm officially done with Fall Semester 2011. I did it. 

I will head home on Saturday and am excited to have nothing to worry about over Christmas break. Because I start a whole new batch of classes come January 2012.

Fall Semester? Check.
Spring semester? Bring it on.

Cazier from California.

I have spent a lot of my life in the library this last week-ish. All for finals. I'm pooped. First the library is huge and  there are always a ton of people. It's Sunday and Lynds and I walked around every floor for a place to study. Good grief. I have two finals and neither are completely comprehensive. Which is super nice! One on Tuesday and one on Thursday. The choir concert is Wednesday. Do I go down? I don't know. I really want to. We'll see. Either way my brain is fried. I am really excited that classes are over. I can sleep in and just do nothing all day really. Minus the studying part but only for the next two days then I'm done until January 9th! Can I get a wooty woot for that? But my brain hurts. Thats whats up. Hence my ramblings.

Either way. I had a really good weekend. Here are my top 10 moments.

1. I sold my books back and made some really easy money. Such a blessing.

2. I went to SLC with Mike for his wards Christmas party. 

3. Mike's neice Ellie, who is the cutest, loved me. Except when she told me if I pulled my hair back I looked like a boy. She told Mike he looked like a pretty girl though.

4. Mike's dad might be the funniest person I've ever met. Like father like son.

 "Putcha hand on the radio"

 5. Mike is a sweetheart to his mom and his dad. It was so cute. I like that they have mature adult conversations with Mike. What good parents.

6. Jenna and I went shopping and got 7 Bath and Body lotions for $24.99. Yeah. That happened. Merry Christmas to all my girls is what that is. 

7. We watched Friends with Benefits. I died. That movie was hilarious. 

8. I learned that I'm a bed hog and the Kyle talks in his sleep.

 "I don't like those guys"

9. Lynds came to church with me. That was fun.

10.  It's been a year, as of today, that I have dated Mike. How lucky am I?

and of course Christmas is coming! It's almost the 12 days of Christmas, my favorite. :)

Finals are a'comin

                             
That's right, I just suggested Marriage as an alternative to finals. That's how much I hate them.
This week I pulled it together and decided for one week I can drop everything else in my life and just focus on school. It can happen. So the last two days I've spent my life in the library.
Monday, I was in there from about 1130 until 530. I still wasn't sure what to really study and prepare with so I was easily distracted and Jenna was there with me. We just have too much fun with her iPhoto. That thing is the best.
                                
And yes, she brought Nutella to the library. What is a better study snack? There isn't one. I choose pretzels and string cheese but still.
So I spent most of Monday reading a book for my Institutions class that I was supposed to read about 2 months ago. I didn't because I hate reading and I just wasn't diggin' it. But I decided I could read 100 pages a day and I'd finish in 3 days. So I did. 100 pages of a book about Communism in Cambodia. It's really sad but  I couldn't get into it, like I said. Then I go to that class on Tuesday after Biology (which put me in a bad mood because that class is soo boring and Jenna ditched on me again. That class sucks alone.) and the Professor asks, Is the final comprehensive? and the class bursts out in excited NOOOO's!!!  I about threw my own little celebration party in that back corner. I didn't have to read that book and I didn't have to try and cram an entire semesters worth of info down my throat in a week. I've never been more excited. Then he gave us the topics for the make-up exam. Finally, I had something specific to study.
So I returned to the library, in the basement at my secluded table for the next 7 hours. That's right. 7 hours people. I read my text book, highlighted, took notes, read slideshows, and took more notes. I was a studying machine. I did 2 out of 3 of my mastering biology assignments and wrote my cover letter and resume for English today.
I did my homework, studied and went to SI. Yeah guys.
I had a realization. I feel much better when I get my homework done before I go home. I can do it in the library then leave school at school. It helps a lot. So next semester, that is what I'm doing.
I finally came home after 11 hours on campus, the freezing cold campus if I might add. Ate dinner, watched some Gossip Girl then I went to Mikes.
He got Kyle Hangover part II for Winter solstice? Yeah. They are weird like that. So of course we watch it. An of course I fall asleep. Like always. That movie just didn't do it for me. I don't think crude and vulgar humor is funny. at all. So I slept through it. Good choice.
I came home and got ready for bed and got in the shower. My apartment was freezing and wet hair was not helping. Then at about 2am my good friend Jake called. 
He left on his mission today. Reports to the MTC at 1:10. What a champ.
We had a nice chat and I loved it.
I'm going to miss that kid so much.
I held back my tears until I hung up because he was already crying after saying goodbye to his girlfriend.
What a sweetie.
It's weird to be at this time in my life.
My friends are missionaries.
weird.
But he is the greatest ever and he is going to do an incredible job.
Anyway, today I went to my last day of my leadership class and my teacher gave us the final to take home!
What?!
I was thrilled.
One class and one final. 
Done.
I'm almost done.
One week.
On the downside, I don't think I can go to the Choir concert this year.
I just want to sing the First Nowell. That is it. Oh well. There will be other years.

Frigid winters

So this week is near the end and I have nothing to blog about. But I want to blog. So I'm just doing a run down of the week. Cuz that's all I've got.

I babysat everyday this week, except Tuesday. But that was fun. I like those girls and they keep me from just being boring and lame everyday. However sometimes I just want to take a nap. But much to my embarrassment I'm going to admit that I can't wait to have a baby. Yesterday, I took Brinkley to dance and Presley fell asleep in the car. So when we got home I just picked her up and carried her in my arms. We sat down on the couch and she fell asleep in my arms. I loved it. It was so cute and I loved just holding her. I watched Toddlers and Tiaras. That show is a joke. I get to babysit from 130 to 1030 tonight. boo. But I do get to watch the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders marathon. Who's excited? I like that they have cable at their house. I only babysit them for about 2 or 3 more weeks then my school schedule will be too crazy.

I'm taking 18 credits next semester. Full time student. We'll see how that goes. I'm a little nervous but really excited. I'm hoping that by taking a lot of classes I'll be more committed to school and I'll study more and do better in class.

I didn't go to my Thursday classes because I hate them with a passion. And Jenna got me to talk about my stress and my next two weeks that are going to change my life forever on Wednesday night. And I cried like a baby. I got in the shower and bawled. I think. I couldn't really tell cuz I was wet ya know? But still. Stress. Then I woke up with a cry baby headache. I got up and was completely ready to go, dressed and everything an decided, no. I'm going back to bed. So I climbed right back in. Slept till 1230 then made waffles. Good idea.

Finals are coming up and I need to study. Basically I need to get A's on my finals to pass my classes. They suck and I don't know how to study very well. But we have discovered the joys of studying in the Library. It's super relaxing. I get a lot more done this way. I liked it. So next week I'll be spending my time there. Studying my life away. boo. Wish me luck on those satan tests.

Jenna broke my tanning virginity on Thursday because Hurricane Katrina hit Logan. It was freezing and soooo windy. And our roommates don't want to turn the heat on because we have to pay utilities. Okay. Well I'm freezing. It's so cold in our house that room temperature isn't warm enough to make our butter melt enough to spread on anything. It's a joke. So we thought we need a way to get warm. Lets go tanning. It worked people. I was warm. And now I'm slightly tan. Burned right now but that is keeping my warm. My butt is like my own personal space heater. It's great. So at least now we know how to survive the winter here.

It's December. And we still don't have snow. But December brought some other fun things. Our Christmas Countdown, Christmas music and decorations. I love Christmas! It just makes everyone so happy and excited. Brinkley always says, Let's count all the Christmas things we see because Christmas is fun and I love it. Santa is bringing my ponies and make up then I'll be pretty like you. She literally wrote on her Christmas list  Make up like babysitter Haley's so I can be pretty too. 
What a sweetheart. We did her make up the other day and she has such perfect lips. I know that is weird to say but they are perfect. Then the most gorgeous eyelashes. Gosh. She's 5. whatever.

It's the weekend and somehow this weekend went by faster then the speed of light. I don't know how that happened. But I'm excited about it. Only 2 more weeks of the semester. One week of classes then Finals. So like 2 more days of classes. I'm so excited. I'm ready for our long break then to start new classes.

What's my schedule next semester?

Monday/Wednesday/Friday

8am- Kickboxing (No Friday)

930am-Psychology

1030- Psychology Lab (Monday only)

1130-Masterpieces of Music

130- Math 1010

230- Child Guidance

Tuesday/Thursday

1030- Marriage and Family

1230-Pilates

I hate the length of classes on Tuesday/Thursday so I avoided taking very many. :)

I'm adding an Institute classes in there somewhere.

Exciting right? Who's excited for Pilates and Kick boxing?! Me.