Only in dreams

I have been doing a little bit of research in to dreams recently and am finding, when it comes to this, I really am a child because of my lack of knowledge on the subject. I took Psychology at BYU but must have been in a dreaming state during any discussion that happened on dreams. I found this quick blurb online and have found it very interesting...back up, this research and sudden interest is coming from the fact that I'm starting to dream (I know technically we all dream-I've just never remembered mine) and the subjects, themes, and setting of my dreams have been verrrry intriguing to me. Some seem to have no significance at all, but on pondering I realize they areweighted to the things and people I care about, the things that I want the most, my routines on a daily basis, and the things that I am uncertain about and thus create fear. Anyways, here's the quick excerpt...

Although dream dictionaries give meanings to dreams and various ways of dream interpretations exist, dream psychology believes that the association between objects dreamt and their meanings is subjective. What is indicated by a particular dream depends on what the dreamer associates the elements of his dream with. It is suggested to write down your dream and decipher what each of the constituent of the dream conveys. It is important to understand what you associate with a particular thing you dreamed of. The thought or emotion that you get in relation to a certain color, object or a person in your dream, can serve as a clue to interpret your dreams. After having a dream, you can make its write-up, identify your psychological associations with the dream images and link all of them. More than what the elements of your dream symbolize, it is about what the elements mean to you.

Cool, right!?!? And I've found it's absolutely true. The last little while at work has either been slow or insanely busy and so I've had those still moments to kind of analyze and see what my dreams mean to me...as I've been counseled before though, I think I should write them down because the wide range of dreams I've been having and I want to remember them. This is not going to happen on my blog. Those of you who know me know that I'm not really a big talker/sharer on personal information. I much prefer to listen and help-which is probably another reason why I slack writing on my blog. I want to hear about all of you and just give small updates about myself along the way. Also because some of the dreams have been very personal or shaking-so this isn't really the forum I want to do that...but maybe one or two will come out along the way. Jeffrey and I actually discussed one the other day and were trying to analyze it-just know it involved me being a very important part of the lives of every member in the Will and Jada Smith family (Jada, Jaden, Will, and Willow. That one was pretty entertaining! Anyways...to end on a lighter note and a song from Cinderella (in my head I hear Chloe singing it...)

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true

Chicken Soup for the Country Music Lover's Soul

Ok-so I love all kinds of music-those of you who know me know this. Because I love so many different kinds I go through phases where one dominates my life. This summer involved a lot of country-thanks to a few friends who I have found also appreciate it. Usually country music gets a bad rep from people my age. Honestly, if I did not have some Nashville roots, I'd probably had never given it a chance. Some of it is out of control with cheesy lyrics that don't hold a lot of depth (lets be honest though how many rap songs do...think about it & I like that too), but it's the twang that gets to me-just can't handle it. However, over the last couple of weeks, some lyrics have been speaking to my soul. Some of these songs I have loved forever and they are just resurfacing and now have a little more perspective on life than that pretty awkward girl (10-15) who lived in Nashville. So...I want to provide a quick sample for those of you who doubt or have no opinions on this...a little chicken soup or what have you...remember how those books used to be a big deal...haha! Also please note the best time to listen to these and we all know I recommend listening to at full volume in the car with windows down!


This is the song that inspired the idea for this post but gave me a good motivating boost that day...may have some cliche notions but don't judge. Timing: When you need to get through the yucky, grey stuff

Jo Dee Messina "That's The Way It Is"
"...Well I know from expirence nothin's ever gonna make perfect sense
Oh, one day you get what you want but it's not what you think then you get what you need...'

This song...maybe a lil more targeted towards the girls and conversations we've had recently...timing: when you've been on a really bad first date...just remember...it's gonna happen...these terrible dates won't last forever.

Rascal Flatts "Bless the Broken Road"
"...I think about the years I spent, just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand you've been there, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true"

This song has been a teaching point for me recently-I have not always been good about opening up on things I need help with but as of this summer and needing a lot of help many friends have come to my aid, have gotten me to open up and although I still have a very hard time with it, I am thankful for those of you who this song represents. Timing-I dunno to realize who your "people" or "person" are...

Lady Antebellum "I Run to You"
"...This world keeps spinning faster into a new disaster so I run to you, I run to you baby
When it all starts coming undone baby, you're the only one I run to, I run to you"

This song...timing: realizing that through any of the bad that is going on that there is also some really great and when it comes down to it...really, honestly, you and your life and the way you live it and the way it's going if you're staying motivated and working hard and surrounding yourself with great people-is pretty dang great!

Keith Urban "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me"
"...And the sun is shinin' this road keeps windin' through the prettiest country from Georgia to Tennessee
And I got the one I love beside me my troubles behind me I'm alive and I'm free who wouldn't wanna be me"

Okay-maybe this one is more unique to me because most girls just get mad when a boy is dumb or hurts them...I just really do question what they're thinking (not because I think that they'll never do better than me or anything), but usually its over stupid things and I can't be mad but just wonder why they'd ever take it as far as they did, sometimes if they knew all along how they felt.

Taylor Swift "A Perfectly Good Heart" (one of her few that I don't feel is laced with boy hate)
"...Maybe I should've seen the signs, should've read the writing on the wall.
And realized by the distance in your eyes that I would be the one to fall.
No matter what you say, I still can't believe that you would walk away.
It don't make sense to me, but:
Why would you wanna break a perfectly good heart?
Why would you wanna take our love and tear it all apart, now?
Why would you wanna make the very first scar?
Why would you wanna break a perfectly good heart?
It's not unbroken anymore. How do I get it back the way it was before?"

Take it easy: listen to this one and realize that some of the things that seem soooo monumental and that they may break you or make you a crazy person are going to pass-now this is just for the little things...the bigger things take a little more work but...this should help for the little things...really I want to post all of the lyrics to this song because they are funny and make a few crazy things seem a little more light.

SheDaisy "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing"
"...Ever sat yourself down when the seat is all wet
Or see your "ex" sucking face with a little brunette
Don't worry 'bout it, no don't worry
Ever lost your religion, ever lost your best friend
Or found your last record in the bargain bin
Or been stuck in a divorce like crazy glue
Or scraped someone else's gum off the bottom of your shoe - Boo hoo!
Life is funny, life's a mess sometimes a curse, sometimes a blessing
Don't worry 'bout a thing, don't worry 'bout it
Life gets sticky, life can bruise sometimes you win sometimes you're losing
No matter what it brings don't worry 'bout a thing"

Okay-this one makes me cry every single time but one thing that we can say about family is that they do talk about family (2 of my other favorites are Martina McBride's "In My Daughter's Eyes" and Tim McGraw's "My Little Girl," but this one talks about the whole fam...maybe I wouldn't advise to listen to this-I usually switch it when I miss my family-I have a love/hate relationship with this song...

Carrie Underwood "Don't Forget to Remember Me"
"...This downtown apartment sure makes me miss home
And those bills there on the counter keep telling me I'm on my own
And just like every Sunday I called momma up last night
And even when it's not, I tell her everything's all right
Before we hung up I said "Hey momma, don't forget:
To tell my baby sister I'll see her in the fall
And tell me-maw that I miss her Yeah, I should give her a call
And make sure you tell Daddy that I'm still his little girl
Yeah I still feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be don't forget to remember me"

Okay...those are just a few random tidbits-enjoy! I loved researching this-hope it helps-helped me-and maybe I'll do this again with another form of music-so much to go around!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Start of Something New

Ok-so though I may no longer be in school, I still use it as a marker in my year.
1. It is the time I have to realize that my friends can't just play whenever I get off work.
2. During finals it's the time I wonder I have any friends at all.
3. It's the time I realize I am and forever will be sorry for ever going to a school dance because things like Homecoming and Prom take over my life and I don't even get to dress up for it.
4. It's the time Provo goes crazy again (I like it during Spring/Summer because there are less students).
5. It's one of the times I really miss my parents (My mom would always write us this back to school note that encouraged us for the year and focused on our strengths and abilities and my dad would give us a blessing with the same motivation of the note in mind)
6. It's the time I really really wish I could get new school clothes....I remember this happening every year but I guess then I was waiting all year for it whereas I go on little shopping sprees year round now----yes Carly & Jenna---little ones!
7. It's the time, like New Year's, where I renew big goals...Andrew and I brainstormed on several this week and I decided my big two for this year are going to be....dah dah dah dah...learn to ski & renew my piano skills.I have had access to both for years but have yet to take advantage of the "Best Snow on Earth," and during my last move to UAC, lost the power cord that connects my keyboard but after realizing that my skills are quickly fading, I have decided to start back at it...get ready roommates (although Marci independently requested that I get a chord as well).

24/7. 3-6-5!

So close to being my birthday again! 2:49 a.m. July 14,1986. I have so many things to be happy about this birthday! I am going to miss being with my family, like usual, but I am so happy Carly will be here. Also, with my birthday being right in the middle of the summer, it is rare for many people to be around. My friends have been all over this summer (Europe, California, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, and all their homes etc) but I am so glad so many will be around tomorrow. We'll see what the day brings! Raegan was already nice enough to give me an early bday present and went behind my back and switched around the schedule at work to where I don't have to be there all day-really excited! I have some planned skype time with the fam to open my presents that arrived a few days ago, all wrapped, ready to go, and tempting me. Dinner plans to be announced in full detail tomorrow and maybe something for the weekend-we'll see

We are the World

I feel like this week has been great! I worked more than I wanted to but I had some serious highlights throughout the week. The biggest highlight was Special Olympics. I had the chance to go with Carly, Kyshel, Raegan & Joey, and Jake and volunteer on Friday. I purposefully took off the morning so I could go. Best decision ever! We got to go and cheer and hang out and dance in the beautiful weather with people who could lift the spirits of anyone around them. I had a overwhelming number of declarations of how beautiful I was and then kind requests if I would be their girlfriend. I had to leave for work eventually and then went back for the dance with them that night, and even though I ended up having a very long day, I felt completely energized & would love to do that again next year. (Pictures to come-Kyshel had the camera).

And just a little thought. I got to be a part of 2 amazing lessons today. Kath gave a great one in my ward and I visited Carly's really quick to hear her lesson. Kath shared a great lil poem/thought thing that her Nana had shared with her when she graduated from high school and I loved it so I'll just post that and be out, but it's just made me think that even though my life is not always in order, I'm doing pretty good because of the things/people/thoughts I surround myself with. So....check....life inventory list today=good!

After A While

Author: Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while
you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't always promises
and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers
And you learn that you really can endure, that you really are strong and you really do have worth and you learn and you learn
With every goodbye you learn.

Return to Me

So...much time has passed since my last blog. My favorite posts to read are flashbacks so I'm going to write one. It occurred to me the other day that I have now lived in Provo longer than most places in my life. Kind of a scary thought. However...looking back, I wouldn't change a second of it. Lots of experiences-some good, some bad-but all worth it. As I am trying to figure out exactly how to live out my life's dream and figuring out how to get there, I've had the chance to look back on how great time has been here. (I'm taking the GRE in a month & hopefully going to do architecture so I can do a complete project-design the building, decorate the inside, and design the landscaping as well!) My life is pretty dang great! So here's a little snip-it of my life in the last 5 years...

1.AMAZING Freshman year-came out not expecting anything and starting off new and making some amazing friends, had an amazing roommate

-Highlights: getting mono(insert very sarcastic tone), MANY volleyball games, getting to see Reed off at the MTC with Mom & Joni, climbing trees for the 1st time!

2. Sophomore year: not so hot-almost didn't come back-not the greatest year of my life-lost most of my boys to missions (obviously okay but i didn't like getting left behind)

-Highlights: Sixin'it up, home for Lake of the Ozarks, amazing experience at G. Conference

3. Junior year: spur of the moment decision to come back to Utah-best decision yet! Loved my roommates (Chelsea, Caroline, Whitney) and started to figure out what I wanted to do with my life

-Highlights: The Holiday (every few days with Chelsea), "Parties," Job at the Flower Patch, late night food runs + temple stops, introduction to the NBA (always loved college basketball but thought the NBA were sell-outs with no heart: The Suns changed that for me), summer dinner group (Chelsea, Lindsay, Liz, Whitney), Floral Design with Lara, 1st full summer away from home :(, tonsils removed, D.C. vacation

4. Senior year: Added on a 2nd school interest (landscape design) and wrapping up school with a full load for 4 semester

s in a row-i was very tired but very happy to be done at the end

-Highlights: Time with the E-Z girls, time with Reed, Chelsea's wedding/roadtrip, 1st speeding ticket ever, Journey concert, Summer of Meggie, Reed/Meggie's wedding, graduation (the whole family + Ben) came, St. George with the McArthurs, MEXICO CRUISE!

5. 1 year later: Being the manager at the Flower Patch and taking lots of time to play has left so many highlights but a few would be...VP 9 and my disappearing act from time to time (Cody & Liz being my parents & scolding me for it & Kandis making late night calls), game nights, St. Louis time (not time in STL but time with my boys!),lots of concerts, lots of trips, my MINI, little trips home more often, not V-day, Mothers Day, or Christmas really with work and how it keeps me up to my eyeballs in flowers, visits from Carly & Jenna, Skype, beautiful new computer, building my library, lots of time at Barnes& Noble, Mexi Tues, AZIAN weds, 'merican Thurs,

Casino night, hot springs (death march)

...honestly, those only touch the surface and have no details at all but I am so glad i decided to brave it and come to Utah, despite never having had the desire to be here-I love my life and can't wait to move on to the next part!

Peter Pan

As said before, and I hope to say many more times-this year has been so much fun! I can't believe it's already March! I'm looking back and trying to figure out what I've been doing with all my time. I work a lot and I go to the gym and...I'm going on a lot of little mini trips and having soooo much fun with my friends and family. The Vegas trip was great! Some highlights...The McArthurs in St. George totally treating Liz, Emily, Linx, and myself like queens. They had a full feast prepared when we got there the first night and it was so good for me to be able to see them and catch up with them. Sarah drew us some great pictures in church on Sunday which are definitely kept in a safe spot for forever! In Vegas we rode all the roller coasters on the top of the Stratosphere, which was great! And we did work shopping there! I was the designated quote keeper-this picture had to be included because Emily was the main contributor-some of those gems were...

"I wombed you..."

"Liz...what if the toothbrush is in Kahoots with that thing...?"

"Who is Lady Gaga...?"

"Invert Sugar= 1/sugar"

Mostly this picture captures the best part-her constant mocking of the crazy men who stand on the side of the road and hit their lil flyers trying to get you to take one of their trashy lil papes.

However, recently I got to take a little trip home. I was so overdue for a visit and loved every minute I was at home. My little gems included...

-Seeing the Hissongs:It was great to be able to see them after so many years and spend some time with friends that you can laugh that hard with.

-Nauvoo: I haven't been since I graduated and Fran had never been so it was really good to be able to go and see the sights and do some family baptisms at the temple there.

-The Massimini's- They are such good friends of the family-I'd like to be selfish and claim them for myself but they have become a part of what I look forward to when I'm home. Laughing about how Shane truly has a brother in Brian (& having our own personal chiropractor), spending time with Whitney who ALWAYS listens, is a true friend, and just fun to be around. And the kids!!!! Chloe and I had a lot of fun drawing in church on Sunday and listening to her sing her Disney songs. Playing with Henry & having him come to the door Sunday night after they had left for an extra hug. Getting to take care of Leah during Sunday School (happiest baby ever!)

-Cribbage-even though I lost this trip (which is such a rare occurrence), I love looking forward to that one on one time with my mom. I don't think our level of competition has ever gone down from those first games of slug bug in high school.

-Seeing a new side of Jenna that is not new at all but just took the right boy to bring it out in her-I love Fran because he makes my lil sister so happy!

-Sunday dinner with Pompa & Grandma-I am convinced I have the most loving, adoring grandparents known. I love Pompa's jokes and maybe use them later and being able to look at Grandma and see how serious he actually is. Mostly they just make me feel 100% loved!

-Lunch with Daddy

at The Bristol: One on one time with him is kinda rare so I love that I got to have a lunch date with him. It was really good to have time to just talk. I feel like he and I have such similar personalities & temperaments. It's probably why in his Sunday school lesson he told the ward I was the favorite in my family (cuz in looks and personality we are so similar which obviously means I'm my Mom's favorite too!)

-Cassie is always sooooo sweet and I was really lucky for her to be my buddy in Nauvoo and really all weekend long. She sat next to me at Alice In Wonderland and makes sure I am always taken care of!

-Shane-man is always my buddy. He did really well helping me stay awake as I tried to drive home from Nauvoo, took my teasing as Cassie and I blasted his favorite singer (Justin Beiber-haha), chats basketball with me constantly, and likes to remind me on a regular basis that my "little" brother is in fact much bigger than me & I just hope I won't always lose right now we're matched evenly in our wrestling struggles....

There are so many other little things about my home that make it the trip I always look forward to and make me want to turn the plane around as soon as we get in the air and never be a grown up again. But...I have made my home here and am so lucky to have 2 homes with people that love me in both places. I do wish for the days when I was a little kid and it wasn't so complicated and I could have a little more freedom doing what I want, when I want and not have the complex thought of constantly wanting to be in two places at once. No Hannah Montana life for me with the best of both worlds BUT... "To live will be an awfully big adventure."

A few of my favorite things...

It has been a month and I feel I should be recovered from the holiday at this point and have been putting this off far too long. I made a trip to Vegas/St. George with the girls, which deserves its own post and will come soon, but during the trip I encountered many things that made me reflect on the things that I just absolutely love! Some of them were not encountered, but just reflected on or discussed. They may be random and my reasoning may be weird but hey...can't help what you love, right?!?!

1. Roller coasters-I love the thrill! Most of all though, I've discovered, I'm not a screamer at all. All I can do is laugh... hysterically! (which may be the reason I love them-because laughing would be another love on this list).

2. Car washes-I can pretty much guarantee that my car will always be clean because of this factor. I know, because of my very loving, car-savvy Grandpa (Pompa), that automated car washes just simply cannot get the job done. They just can't get that sparkle that you need. However, this winter, I have resorted to them to make sure that the snow and salt and dust and pollution that are so prevalent this winter in happy valley stay off my car on a very regular basis. These have become therapeutic for me. Turn the music off, the air all the way down and listen to the water on my cute lil' car. My own personal rainstorm.

3. Books! - I can't even describe to you my love to read. Barnes and Noble is obviously, as said in previous blogs, an escape/safe place for me but in the end, has nothing to do with the place and everything to do with its contents. A good solid, moving story has been harder for me to find recently so I am revisiting the classics and stocking up my own personal library of hard cover classics. Right now I am rereading To Kill A Mockingbird (my absolute favorite) and as I read each phrase and follow the story, I cannot help but saying (in my head or sometimes out loud to an unsuspecting group) how much I love this book. There is nothing more beautiful than when the words literally weave a picture of a story that you seem to be a part of-physically and emotionally. And this book is an amazing story to be a part so engrossed in.

4. Music- This category has so many subcategories that I just need to keep it simple. Chill music when I'm getting ready, pump up music when I work out, soft music as I go to bed, singing music so I can belt it in the car (that came from you Mommy), instrumental music when I just need to reflect or regroup and many more. I used to cringe when people asked my favorite type of music, my favorite group, my favorite song-I still feel like I don't have most of those answers because when there is so much to love and so many occasions to listen to each. However, my favorite song of all time is Moon River. I like all versions but prefer the simple beauty of Audrey Hepburn's version. If I had to listen to one artist for the rest of time...that is so so hard for me but I truly think I'd choose Jason Mraz. His music fits into all of the above categories for me and there's something about it that is sooo good to me.

5. Dressing up- Here, sometimes, I have a problem. I am actually maybe a little bit crazy about always leaving the house in a presentable fashion, but hey, I'm from the good part of the south, where all that southern belle stuff is truly a part of who I am. However, I work at a job that tends to ruin clothes with pollen stains, dirt, chemicals, heels get scuffed and scratched and dresses are not always a good idea when going in and out of a very large cooler. But...I do it anyways and love any occasion and try to create occasions where dressing up is involved.

So...it is late and one thing I DO NOT love is waking up as early as I do every morning so, I'm going to go to bed. And more of my favorite things for another day....

Look-alike

I now know! Everyone has been changing their profile pictures on facebook this past week and putting up their celebrity look-alikes. I feel like I'm not one of those people that has a very generic look so I have been having a hard time figuring it out. I have been told, on occasion, as people are flashing back to one of the greatest movies of all time, that I look like Sloan from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. My mother has recently informed me that she thinks I look similar to Ella from this season of the Bachelor. And...as of my trip to San Francisco Mr. Loel Renshaw informed me that I looked familiar to his sister-in-law because he has figured me out. I am a mix of Fergie and Princess Di. You decide. Any other suggestions welcome!

Envy of Audrey

I remember the first time I ever watched My Fair Lady, which is still one of my favorite movies/musicals to this day. We were visiting Grandma Jo and Pompa in St. Louis and I remember thinking how absolutely beautiful Audrey Hepburn was. I wanted to look, sing, act, walk and do everything as she did. She started out a little rough on the edges, but I remember thinking, even then, how beautiful she was then as that humble little flower girl and how she aspired simply to speak a little more "genteele" so she could work in a flower shop.

So the time has come and Valentine's Day is coming quickly. Work has already started ruling my days and nights once again. From the very important to the very mundane tasks-it's time. Pre-cutting ribbon, ordering hundreds & hundreds of vases, stapling packets, pre-booking all the flowers, deciding how many of each arrangement to make, deciding which designers are going to do what, cleaning the store from top to bottom, organizing the upstairs we never use to accommodate for all the room we need, hiring temps, scheduling, greening, flowering, thinking of when I am going to be able to sleep, eat, breathe, relax, work-out, or just have a life in general.

And then I step back and realize: the preparation for all of this is going to be worth it. The next 2 weeks are going to come and go before I know it and I'll be done with the madness for a short while. The stores will be happy again after this slow time in the economy. Valentine's is my Christmas-it's busy but it gets me through the year. And I have to just keep remembering, it's all going to be over soon and it'll all be worth it. I love my job and why not?!?! After all, who wouldn't want to be the envy of Audrey.

Something random this way comes...

Ok-so I have been very excited to start this blog ever since my first post. However, with the other blogs I follow, I feel like I have to wait for a miraculous occurrence, a funny story, or just something crazy random to happen to me. Thus why I have been putting off my next entry. I feel like my life is pretty average. I wake up, go to work, come home, go to the gym, hang out with friends, and anything else random that comes my way...not too much variation, but this week in review I realize that I had quite the week.

Sunday...I helped Jenna pack 2 VERY large suitcases, loaded up a storage unit and made our way back to good old Provo. We, as we usually do when we are together, had to watch The Burbs starring Tom Hanks. Jenna and I love this movie. It makes us laugh no matter how many times we've seen it. In fact my silent/smoker laugh is usually involved because I am laughing just that hard.

Monday...I had to go into work for a little while to take care of the usual Monday madness with money, paperwork, scheduling, ordering and such. After Jenna and I headed up to Salt Lake...she left me :( but we did drop off her bags extra early so there would be less stress when I dropped her off and more time to play. After, as I love to do when I am in the area, I stopped in and saw Gentry and we had a little Cheesecake Factory and Fashion Place date. She definitely helped lift my spirits with Jenna leaving. I realize more and more how alike she and I are-just a East Coast/West Coast version of each other.

Tuesday...work as usual...not too much variation there but I got to make not only one, but two trips to Barnes & Noble. Bookstores have ALWAYS been one of my favorite places to go and just browse, read, and relax for a little while. And, yes Carly, I have switched from the Borders team to Barnes.

Wednesday...I kind of felt like I was all over the place. Everyone around me seems to be getting sick this week so I took some time and slept in and then headed into work. The shortened day there was very nice because I know the madness of Valentine's is soon to come in full swing. I've already started the prep work and have several meetings and a lot of hours to go before that goes down, but it's a good kind of craziness that gets our business through the year. After work, went to dinner and went and saw Avatar with Jeffrey...excellent, crazy, totally new concept of a movie! Then, I went over to have a sleepover with Liz for the events of the next day.

Thursday...went to Spanish Fork for Habitat for Humanity. Liz and I helped build a house! It was very very cool. I got to do some framing work-which involved several different kinds of saws (apparently, according to Liz, I almost cut off my fingers with one of them), a router, nail (not staple) gun and yeah...I plan to do this weekly as soon as I get through the Valentine's Day rush. I was covered in sawdust and had to go into work as such, but I loved every second of it! It was followed by the first week of American Thursday. It has been a tradition among our group of friends to go to dinner, with a different country's theme. We've hit Mexican and Asian foods the last two semesters and now on to American (full of burgers, barbeque, and such...) Also had some good quality time with Emily and SAC with a drama in our TV time.

Friday...work, dinner with Andrew & Lara, good nap, frozen yogurt, and another glorious trip to Barnes & Noble. Watched Angels & Demons with the crew, came back home, dove back into my book until it was too difficult to keep my eyes open.

Saturday...I woke up early in excitement for my book (I'm happy to consider myself a nerd for this fact). I love all sorts of books: one of the reasons I was most excited to graduate was because I was going to get to read whatever I wanted: spiritual, fiction, nonfiction, yadda yadda yadda. Read in bed til lunch time. After lunch: one of the highlights of my week-Andrew and Jeffrey are coaching a 5th grade boys basketball team. They looked so professional-I was so proud of my guys in full suits and the perfect coaches for these kids. They had an excellent game and won! We brought drinks and fruit snacks-pretty sure they love us! Rest of the night-housewarming party at Cory's house and whatever else.

Week in review: I need to write on this blog no matter what, need to get a camera so I can illustrate my life here, and need to thank Heavenly Father every day for the random things in my life that make up my routine, that make me happy, that make me feel part of something, make me know that even though my family is far away that they love me, and make me realize, despite the "average" appearance-I am having the time of my life!

Flashback

It's official...I'm ringing in the New Year by finally creating a blog. . First I want to do a quick recap on 2009. I may have decided that 2010 is going to be my year but 2009 was my year of 1sts (some good, some great, some not so good, some not so great)...

1. Stitches-I had an incident at a bridal fair which involved a very clumsy individual or someone trying to sabotage our booth. Either way it involved lots of broken glass and a pretty nasty cut on the back of my thigh, thus...first stitches!

2. Graduating-Ok so not a first for me and technically I graduated in August '08, but thanks to a late submission of a grade from a teacher, my diploma makes me a proud graduate in April '09.

3. Death- I have known very people who have died and even in those experiences I have not been close to the individual who died, but my Punkin (Dad's Dad) died this year and it was really the first time I have had to deal with death in my life. I remember how he used to always tease us about when he was a little girl, how he let us play with the new baby chicks, and how grateful I will always be to him for baptizing me.

4. Work- My first Valentine's and Mother's Day being in charge, it was crazy and stressful, and I may have been a zombie for lack of sleep, but I got through them and love the girls that work for me!

5. Transportation- After way too many incidents and repairs with my previous car, I decided to finally get my own. I love love love it! 2006 electric blue Mini Cooper! It has been the source of a lot of fun drives with very loud music, lessons for sisters who are learning to drive a manual, and many more things to come.

6. Roadtrips/Trips- While I was in school, I had a lot of very good friends, however, I don't feel that I really took as much time as I should have to just do what I want and have fun. Well, this year was the year for a few very random, quick trips that I plan to do many more of in the future. I got to visit Chelsea in Denver. I made a surprise visit home to STL for my birthday along with one for our annual summer Lake of the Ozarks trip and another one for Christmas break. I drove to Arizona with Liz for a quick weekend trip to get out of town, see her family, and Selena Gomez in concert. Another quick trip to Wyoming with Gentry and co to go camping/white water rafting.

Overall-it was an excellent year. I have realized I have so much to be thankful for. I have a family who is so supportive and loving and friends who have become my home away from home. It really has been an amazing year with so many fun moments to recap on. I'm excited to start the new year off with another 1st with this blog and can't wait for my year 2010.