The Long Version

I keep telling myself I need to update this thing but I never feel inspired. I'm just kind of floating through life, which is very much driven by the daily routine that comes with being a college student. It's okay though. I think that I never really grew out of that stage where you crave routine. Routine is good, and if routine is good, then I have nothing to complain about.

My last update took place, like a month ago, so I have lots to catch up on. If you wanted to hear the short version of what happened in that time then I would say something like, "I had three really good weeks, and one pretty bad one." But the fact that you are reading this tells me that you want to hear more than that. You want to hear all the details and see pictures and stuff. You want The Long Version. Right? Right.

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Okay. So October 28th was my friend, Rebekah's, birthday. I have not seen her in months and months so I was so excited when Jenna asked me if I wanted to go see her. It was so great to get to go to her house in Idaho Falls and catch up for a few hours. It was a short visit, but it did not disappoint. Any night that involves good friends, mexican food, and awkward waiters is an automatic good time.

 As I'm sure you can tell, she was overjoyed to be the receiver of so much attention. 

One night, I went to Guitars Unplugged to hear my friend Chelsea play the guitar and sing. She sang so well, and played like a champ. Her and her roommates sang "One Voice" by the Wailin' Jennys, which is one of my favorites. 

Sitting next to Sierra was quite the fun experience. She is definitely not shy :)

Last weekend Becca and Johnny came up from Provo. We had limited time together, so we decided to go to the Self Reliance Fair :) We picked up some tips on cookie making, food storage, the dangers of technology, and budgeting. It was fantastic! (I may sound sarcastic, but it really was pretty cool. Becca's dad helped put the whole thing together, and it turned out very nice.)

 This picture of Johnny is the only one I have from the whole weekend. Kind of a disappointment. Sorry Johnny.

This is a genogram I made for my Family Relations class. I was very proud. And this isn't even the finished product. My teacher was even impressed with it! I walked out of the classroom doing fist pumps that day. 

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This all took place during the "good weeks." But then things took a turn for the worst. Dramatic, I know, but I don't know how else to explain it. It's not even like anything happened. I just sunk into a slump of laziness for the whole week and didn't do anything. Ever. And that's never good. 

Then, to top it all off, I got in my car saturday night, drove two feet, and realized I was experiencing the familiar feel of a flat tire. I got out to investigate...I definitely had a flat tire. Completely flat. I stayed pretty calm, which is saying something, because remember I was having a bad week already. And that was my third flat tire in a month. Yes, third. Not a big deal. The next morning my parents let me use the van to get to church. I drove up the street in a hurry (because I was late, of course) turned the corner, and once again experienced that familiar feeling of a flat tire. I got out to investigate...I definitely had a flat tire. Completely flat. Off the rim kind of flat. 

Kind of a big deal. Because obviously, I am cursed in the tire department. No joke. 

Luckily for me, things got better the next week. School has been good and I am really liking my classes. For my Social Work class we went to the family crisis center and organized all their supplies for the food bank. It was lots of fun and it felt good to give help where so much of it is needed. 

This weekend I went to dinner with Becca Noack. 

We also went to a dodge ball game and to our relief society activity. Afterwards, we decided to dress up like we used to when we lived together in Tuscany last winter.

Then...

And now...

I don't think things will ever change. Do you feel awkward? I do... 

Yesterday, something tragic happened in my house. Anyone who has ever used our basement bathroom is familiar with this...

My brother, Griffin painted it when he was 13 or something. It's been a wonderful feature in our house for over 12 years now. But it is no longer. 

That's right. We painted. It was very sudden. I had almost no time to prepare myself.

 I'm really going to miss this guy.

The bathroom is going to be a lonely place from now on.

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Last night I got to go to the Golden Dragon Acrobats From China show on campus. These people are amazing! My heart was racing the whole time because the things they did were so intense. I cannot even imagine having that much strength, focus, and precision.  

 Lookin good, Sierra.

 Colby, Mykel, and I after the show.

Me, Sierra, and Hannah walking home in the freezing cold icy weather. I am really going to miss summer time... 

Life is really good. I am learning a lot about a lot and I feel so blessed. I have so much to be thankful for-- even if I do have a bad week every once in a while :) I seriously don't know why I got so lucky. 

Until next time,

So long

I Love...

Whenever people ask me what my favorite season is, I automatically say summer. But then Autumn comes around, and I routinely change my mind. I love the crispness of the air, the smells, and the pretty colors. Autumn time has a feel all its own, and I love it. 

A while ago, my friend and I went to Mesa Falls to enjoy some of this Autumn weather. We had lots of fun, and the scenery was sooo pretty. Unfortunately, neither one of us had a camera... but we did have a cell phone :)

I Love Autumn. I love Mesa Falls.

It was a good day.

Until next time, 

So long

If You Ever Get Called For Jury Duty...

Don't. Forget.
That's a lesson I learned the hard way today.

I have never experienced such a rapid increase in my stress level.
I have never been so flustered about not being able to find a parking spot.
And the words,
"I'm sorry, Judge. I forgot"
have never sounded so stupid.

Thank goodness for nice people.
Tonight, I'm thankful I'm not in jail.



Until next time,
So long

Meet the Guitar

I feel funny posting a picture of myself on here. Like one of those high school girls that labels her album "*tHiS Is mE*," or something along those lines. Please, don't get the wrong impression. I didn't take it of myself, and I'm not doing kissy lips. That counts for something :) Okay, I'll get to the point. Tonight I discovered this picture on my sister's computer.

I have been teaching myself how to play the guitar now for about a year and a half. I begged my parents for my own guitar last Christmas, and I was so overjoyed (and surprised) when I walked up the stairs and saw one of the prettiest guitars I've ever seen sitting on the chair. I love this guitar, and since I got it, I have tried to teach myself some new things. My progress is very slow, but it is happening. Lately I have taught myself a couple of new songs that I really like. In this picture I am playing Holding Us Back by Katie Herzig. It's really simple, but I think it's pretty. I have had this song, along with Lost and Found  (another song by Katie Herzig) on replay for three days now. It's true that I obsess over songs that I like. Anyway, hopefully one day I will be an old time pro at the guitar. Once I've accomplished that, I'll work on the singing :)

Until next time, 

So long

Second Chance

I feel like I should make a post regarding my previous post. I had a second chance to talk to this "jerk," as I called him, and it turns out he is not a complete jerk. He, I learned, is actually an okay guy, and there is probably a lot more to him than the bad side I saw the other day. I think he just might be lacking in the tact area. He's very nice though. I probably judged too quickly.

I had to clear my guilty conscience.

Some People

Today I was talking to a boy in my cousin's ward. I had been introduced to him by a mutual friend, and he seemed like a nice guy.
After the introduction, he immediately asks me something like, "So what apartment do you live in?"
I politely respond, "I actually am not in your ward, I'm living--"
"Oh. Then get out of here." he says with a literal wave of his snobby little hand.
He's got to be joking, I think to myself. I give him a little laugh and try to continue the conversation.
He stares at me blankly for a few seconds as he leans against the wall with his arms folded. After a few weird moments, he lets his eyes drift elsewhere.

Seriously??
Ok. I guess he's not joking.
He's just a little bit full of himself
Jerk.

I slowly turn around and begin talking to someone else.

Hazard Reunion 2011

About a month ago, I was in California, camping, relaxing, and playing with cousins, and enjoying the annual Hazard Reunion. Of course, I could write extensive details about how much fun this week was. I could write about every little thing that we did. All the memories we made, and how much I love each person that was there. But instead, for all our sakes, I am just going to write about some of the highlights. And even that is going to get quite lengthy, so bare with me. Just know that every minute of every day was a blast. In retrospect, I can even say that freezing my feet off while listening to what might have been Big Foot prowling around my tent in the middle of the night was fun. Or at least a memory :)

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On our way to California, we stopped in Flafstaff, Arizona (my new dream town) and stayed in a hotel for the night. In the morning, we got ready and headed for the Grand Canyon. 

Of course, people always talk about how amazing the Grand Canyon is, but I guess I never really imagined how crazy it is until I was standing there looking at it. It is HUGE! This is one thing that I can honestly say took my breath away. It may be cliche, but it's true. 

To help you get an idea of how big it is... look at the person in this picture. He's standing on the rocks on the left. He's that tiny black speck. 

We drove all day and got to Aunt Betty and Uncle Kimball's house that night. It was fun to see them again. I think that Aunt Betty is one of the funniest people I know. And one of the best cooks. It was a very short visit, but very fun.

Finally in Bakersfield! 

The next morning was the official first day of the Hazard Reunion. That afternoon, we drove on some very exciting roads to a campsite called Big Meadows. Our site was surrounded by huge pine trees. I had forgotten how soothing it is to sit in the silence and listen to the wind blow through big pine trees like these ones. Right on the other side of all these trees was a big meadow. Anyway, we spent lots of time around the fire, talking, arguing, reminiscing, scaring people about big foot (Donnie) and laughing. It really doesn't get better than that. In my opinion. 

 Here I am recovering from one of the coldest nights of my life.

 Here are the big trees. And there is Tanner-- waaaaay up there

 Cousin love

 Grandpa retrieving his boxers :)

 He's such a good sport.

 I was challenged to make a spear out of a stick. Here I am attempting. 

This is Grandma washing Jeffrey. There were lots of "accidents" going on.

Here is my team for the scavenger hunt, and yes we did win, in at least one of the areas :) We had a fun time, and had lots of fun in the car!

Of course we had to play at least one wiffle ball game. There were only a few minor injuries.

I have always wanted to go see the redwoods. On our second day, we went to see the 100 Giants. They were incredible! And so pretty!

 I'm standing in a tree!

 Girl cousins!

Later that night we went to some natural water slides. They were very pretty, and they looked like lots of fun. If only the water wasn't freezing cold, I might have done it :) It was only for the very brave.

 My dad is so brave.

 Tough, tough people

The next day we went rafting down the Kern. My cousin Donny and his wife Alyssa have a river running company (Runoff River Adventures) and we got to take part in it on this particular day. It was lots of fun. For most people. But not all, right, Natalie? :)

While we waited for everyone else to get done, we spent our time learning about Justin Bieber and Celina Gomez. FYI they are the richest couple in Hollywood right now. I love People Magazine.

We also passed the time by playing basketball, sleeping, swimming, and just hanging out.

It was a very good day.

On the last day of our reunion, my grandma, Aunt Leslie, Sierra and I went to LA to pick Krystalee up from the the airport. After we got her, we went to eat at a Mexican Restaurant called Baja Fresh in Beverly Hills. It was seriously the best Mexican I have ever had! I still think about it! After lunch we went to the street mall in Santa Monica and then headed to the beach.

 Look at her. So BYU-Jerusalem

Yay for shopping!

 It was a long day.

I love the beach!

Overall, this reunion was so much fun! We made lots of memories, and I can't wait for next year. 

Until next time,

So long