Tuesday, December 15, 2009

dream realized

I've discovered what I want to do with my life. I want to be a ballerina. They are beautiful, small and graceful. And they get to express themselves in such an artistic and personal way. I was watching SYTYCD (go ashley and ryan!) and I felt as though I missed out on my calling in life to be a dancer. Maybe in my next life ....

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

things i'm thankful for

This is 21st Thanksgiving, therefore to honor this, here is a list of 21 things I am grateful for (in no certain order). I am grateful...

1. BYU is only raising their tuition 3% while California raises theirs 32%
2. For
MLIA- which continuously keeps me entertained at work and during long nights in the library
3. My awesome family and the fact they live so close
4. I only have one more semester of French after this one is over
5. I have a great job and great co-workers
6. I have two awesome roomies and a great apartment
7. For my Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement
8. It has yet to actually snow
9. I have a car
10. I am receiving a college education at BYU
11. BYU Men's Basketball season has started
12. Old friends
13. Friends who know how to make me laugh
14. The opportunity to be part of an awesome major (and eventually career!)
15. Nice people
16. The beautiful Utah mountains
17. My cousins, sister and close friends who have chosen to serve the Lord on a mission
18. The ability to pay for things without my parents help
19. The Holiday season- when everyone is a little kinder and more giving
20. My testimony of the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith
21. The opportunity I have to teach Relief Society
22. Two wonderful home teachers who actually come every month
23. The wide variety of people I've had to chance to associate with throughout my life in multiple states and countries
24. The Constitution of the United States and subsequently my freedom
25. The men and women who have and do sacrifice to protect my freedom
26. Two parents who love each other loads and love their kids- and express it!

So I realized that as I was about to write the 27th thing I'm thankful for that I had surpassed the allotted number. But ya know what? I'm so thankful for so many things- the list could go on. What are YOU thankful for?

Monday, November 23, 2009

confessions

1. My roommates and I decorated our apartment for Christmas yesterday. I usually have a strict No-Christmas-until-after-Thanksgiving-rule. But this year, I let it slide.

2. I am currently obsessed with the music from the show Glee. The show itself is kind of eh but the music is phenomenal.

3. I recently discovered a site called My life is average, and have proceeded to waste much of my time on said site. It's hilarious.

4. My roommate Jamie and I bought Jimmer Fredette basketball jerseys on Friday to wear to the men's basketball games this season. If I could I would sleep in it. It's a sight to behold.

5. I skipped French class Thursday and Friday. Both for very good reasons. Thursday- lunch with the parents and Angela. Friday- a meeting with Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae. Very worth it.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

at long last

Team Captain Jackson Emery
BYU Men's Basketball is underway. We're 2-0 so far. With some good returning starters and two very talented freshman- it's going to be a great season.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

numero 27

image via espn.com
The Yankees won the World Series last night, 7-3. It was beautiful. I think they lost game 5 on purpose so they could win in NY. This is their 27th World Series win. And there's plenty more where that came from...

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

a leap

earrings via here
Earrings like these really make me want to pierce my ears again. But after a bad experience the first go-round, I'm rather nervous. However, I think they are so feminine and beautiful and they can add so much to an outfit. I think I'm ready to take the leap...

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

papa dunn

A week ago today my Grandpa Dunn died. Although not entirely sudden, it did throw me off a little. He'd been sick for about two years and sometimes he'd get a little worse but he always seemed to recover. However, after suffering another stroke he stopped eating, drinking or responding at all and last Tuesday around 10:00 am he passed away. It was fairly bittersweet. I am sad not to have either of my Dunn grandparents around anymore, and I am even sadder that Johnny and Joey won't know such fantastic grandparents. But I am happy that Grandpa was reunited with his wife and son as well as his parents and siblings who all preceded him in death. The funeral was surprisingly really good. It was fairly short, which is always nice, and it was great to hear my uncle's share some stories and memories. I am extremely grateful for such wonderful grandparents who raised such wonderful boys (one of which grew up to be my pops!) and although I'm sad that they're gone, I know that I'll see them again, and for that I am so grateful.

crazy

BYU is doing construction- right outside my office. The noise is deafening and obnoxious. I think I might go crazy. Seriously. If I weren't a student employee, I would have left long ago.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

crisis

I'm going through a crisis of sorts. I won't graduate until April 2011 (which is a crisis in, and of itself) but I have every semester planned out until graduation. My schedule is jam packed full of English and education classes. I made the mistake of looking through all the English courses offered. I then proceed to look through the History and Political Science courses offered. I have concluded that I could be in school for a very long time. There are so, so many classes that I want to take. I have no time to take anything other than what I have to in order to graduate. I'm feeling quite sad about it. I really wish I had come to BYU knowing what I wanted to do. I could have graduated on time and I could've had time to take the classes that I'll never again get the chance to (including religion classes!) I'm quite bummed. I was trying to find a way to fit a minor of some sort in- history, psychology, or political science- but I can't. I wish I would've taken greater advantage of my opportunities here. I still have time I know, but there are so many things I let pass me by. Forums and devotionals I didn't go to, classes I didn't take, lectures I didn't attend. I won't really have these opportunities again, and I wish I had realized that sooner.

Friday, October 23, 2009

parlez-vous francais?

The only good thing about French is the food. Image via here
I feel rather like giving up. I am now in my third semester of French, and it's awful. Just awful. Foreign languages and I do not get along. So why am I taking it you ask. Well, it just so happens that the greatest major on campus (that would be mine- English teaching), has one little flaw- it requires you to take four semesters of a foreign language. I understand that it should theoretically help me be better at English. But it realistically is not. And I hate it. I have an oral exam that I have to take today at 5 (t-minus 2 1/2 hours), and a written exam to be taken on Monday (the last possible day). I thought I understood, and then today I went to class and realized that the majority of answers I wrote down on my review sheet were incorrect. And I wanted to cry. I almost did, but I didn't want to give my teacher the satisfaction. (Actually, he's an ok guy- I'm just not really a fan- and he doesn't hate me, despite what I may like to believe). So, after spending an hour with my teacher yesterday trying to understand the concepts I am to be tested on, and still not comprehending them, I want to give up. I do not care about French, never have. I don't understand it. I can't read, write, or speak it and I certainly don't understand others when they try to speak it. For example, today I asked a quesiton in class (in my broken French) and my teacher responded (in his non-broken French). I didn't understand a word of his explanation, but I felt too stupid to say so, so I just nodded and said 'okay'. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to get through this. But I guess we all have our trials right? And I guess this is mine.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

the haps

I realized I haven't put up pictures of GC. My friends and I went up for the Sunday afternoon session- so good! (all pictures courtesy of jamie) On a completely different note- look at how stinkin' long my hair is! I don't ever recall having it this long. And now it's driving me crazy. I'm in need of a good stylin' and new dos. Anyone have any advice of where I should go?

let the countdown begin

image via espn.com
College Gameday is coming to Provo. It's going to be amazing. T-minus 2 days. My friends and I are planning on camping out Friday night to get a good spot. And thanks to some sweet connections, we already know the secret location and might get some sweet hookups. Like they say- it's all about who you know.

Friday, October 16, 2009

deep thoughts on a friday afternoon

Working in the American Heritage office, I am kept up-todate on the recent happenings around the world that have an effect on this small community in which we live. Tuesday, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a devotional at BYU-Idaho. It was entitled "Religious Freedom". It is a brilliant, inspiring and thought provoking talk in which Elder Oaks discusses the importance of the First Amendment of the Constitution and how we as Latter-day Saints must do all in our power to protect and uphold it. Very powerful. Especially seeing as how Elder Oaks was previously a member of the State Supreme Court and was a clerk for the US Supreme Court. He is a very brilliant man. However, after his devotional, many people attacked him. They attacked his references to the unjust treatment of LDS supporters of Prop 8 in California and how he compared it to the intimidation of black voters during the Civil Rights movement. This is one of the most enraging, and sickening things I have watched and seen regarding this issue. I count it as a sign of the times for sure. I just want to say that I am proud of Elder Oaks for addressing such a controversial topic, and for sticking by everything he said. He had to know what would come as a result of some of the things he said, but that did not disuade him. I am proud to belong to a church that stands by moral truths and declares them with boldness and honesty.
I strongly suggest that you read Elder Oaks talk. You will be inspired to be a better US citizen and member of the Church, and he has some insights that I had never thought of before.

there's one in all of us

image via here
Where the Wild Things Are opens today. I bought the book on Monday in preparation. I love how simple it seems on the surface, but there's really a little more there than meets the eye. And now Spike Jonze has made this beloved book into a movie. And it looks stellar (as I've already mentioned). It has gotten great reviews. The move review article in the NYT is beautifully written. Seriously. I know I am English major, and it's nerdy to same that movie review is a beautiful piece of writting. But it truly is. Read it. You'll be inpsired and you will be itching to go see WTWTA. I know I am.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

picnics

I love picnics. I think they are such a lovely creation- eating+ sun + friends= a wonderful time. These pictures make me want to have a picnic in the park. And the weather today would be quite conducive for it I must say. Joanna over at Cup of Jo just posted these pictures from her wedding picnic brunch and I think it is a fabulous idea. Relaxed, calm, fun and loose- everything getting married ought to be (in my personal, unmarried opinion of course).

Friday, October 9, 2009

check me out

image via here
Check me out here. I am featured as a Friday Favorite on My Favorite Things!

ps: happy friday

Thursday, October 8, 2009

lovely

i couldn't resist- this image is perfection itself when capturing fall. Image found here

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

wild thing i think i love you

spotted via oh joy!
I can not tell you how excited I am for Where the Wild Things Are. It looks stellar (which, ps- is my new word). Urban Outfitters has come up with some genius ideas of pillows and t-shirt prints to honor this beloved classic. Brilliant!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

my happy thought

Right now, October is my happy thought. I've decided it's my favorite season. Beautiful fall colors, good food (pumpkin pie and caramel apples- need I say more?) and lovely clothes. Plus, football season is in full swing. What's not to love? (Besides midterms...)

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

they called it puppy love

I finally got a picture with my beloved Jimmer. It's going to be a great season.

Monday, September 28, 2009

smile like you mean it

Best concert ever. The Killers are amazing live, and Brandon Flowers is quite a showman- very entertaining. The lighting and effects were great. So, so good.

They opened with Joyride, followed by Human- stellar

The new love of my life- Brandon Flowers
Finale- When We Were Young
thanks to Melanie for the pictures via fb.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

a good good night


Saturday night- 7:30 pm MST I will be rockin' my pants off to the Killers. So excited. I bought my ticket back in May- that's how long I've been waiting for this. And the weekend has finally arrived (well, almost- tomorrow will be the weekend).

something in the air

I've been in a bit of a style rut lately- I haven't found much that screams "buy me"- and then I found these two lovely pieces courtesy of J. Crew. And now I'm having a love affair with cardigans, jackets, coats and tights. Fall must be here.



Aren't they beautiful? They are the epitome of the style I think I'm going for- classy but cute with a touch of flair. Loves.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

and so it begins....

I know we lost miserably our first home game- but I can't help but be excited for the remainder of the season. Lots of good Cougar Football to come.

a letter

dear lovely tas,

I promise I'm a very nice person. Please talk to me. Work is so boring without conversation- I sit at my desk for 4 hours and surf the internet and wait until Erica can think of things for me to do. You are the highlight of my day. But then you walk right pass me, and don't acknowledge me. Why? I want to be your friend. I'm not scary- I don't tell Erica your secrets. I like hearing about your labs, and your students and your lives. Feel free to share!

love,
me

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

the highs and lows

my dream fridge- for the low price of $3,399.00 courtesy of Lowe's

the past few days have been a rollercoaster of emotions- here's a summary:

Friday: Parker's high school team kicks the trash out of Maple Mountain (or something like that) AND
P had some great tackles on the kick off team and an interception! Way to go Babs.


Saturday:
I woke up feeling slightly sick

I got free Brick Oven pizza (courtesy of my roommates family)
I went to the pre-game Tailgate party and got to fulfill one of my life goals of riding around campus in a golf cart- thank you Stu.
We (and by "we" I of course mean the BYU football team) suffered a crushing defeat at
the hands of FSU

I got to see my good friend Sean who gave up from LA for the game

I got to play Beatle's Rockband- at which I am awesome- thank you Candy Lou for getting me hooked.


Sunday: I wake up feeling even more sick
We have combined Sunday School and our Bishop gives us the chastity talk (lovely)

Monday: I feel gross and never want to wake up- same goes for today.

The shining beacon in all of this however, is that for the past TWO WEEKS our fridge has been broken. That's right- 2 weeks without a way to keep our food cold. I'm here to testify that the refridgerator is a beautful invention my friends. And today, after much whining and complaining- it has finally been fixed. I can now revert back to my eating habits of cold cereal for every meal. Yay!

Friday, September 18, 2009

i heart headbands

courtesy of A Cup of Jo
I used to have a headband fetish and for some reason let it die out. I've decided to reinstate my love of headbands and use them more. I was inspired by this blog post. Lovely.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

this one is called avoidance

I can't do it. I'm not back in my "school mode" at all and I don't really know how to rectify it. I have yet to do any real homework. I've done some homework sporadically and mostly just between other things- such as classes, or naps (ok, that naps part is a total lie- I only wish I had time for naps). I think part of my problem is that I'm busy literally every second from 8am-5pm. When I'm done with classes and work, I don't really want to do anything else- I just want to watch me some Seinfeld and relax. So, as we speak I'm avoiding doing my French homework, and have been for the past three hours. What have I been doing? I really have no idea, but for some reason I find it much better than homework. Although I think tomorrow, when French class rolls around, I'll be regretting my decision.
On a happy note- for my education class I have the opportunity to go into schools and observe teachers and work with them to learn what being a teacher is really like. I've been at Centennial Middle School for a week and I'll be there for about two more. I've taught twice and I LOVE IT! I definitely chose the right major. Those 8th graders are such a hoot and I love hearing all their ideas and comments. In two weeks I'll move up to Lone Peak High School. I'm thinking I'm going to end up preferring middle school- it's just such a great age. But only time will tell.
On a sad note- my beloved Federer lost the men's US Open tournament to some 20 year old from Argentina. Normally I love the underdog, but there's just something about Roger that keeps pulling me in. He hasn't lost in 5 years, and he took defeat very well, therefore, I still love him.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

roger


I love this man. Sadly, he is married with two children. But- he is the world's greatest tennis player and he is set to win the US Open- yet again. He's so amazing to watch, his backhand is beautiful. AND I watched today as he made what he called, the greatest hit of his career, backward and inbetween his legs. Amazing. And he's got class. What's not to love?

Friday, September 11, 2009

remembering

2001 seems like so long ago. I was 13 years old and living in Reading, England. It seems like a whole life time ago. And yet- 09/11/01 is a day I don't think I will ever forget. Due to the time difference between NY and England it was the afternoon. When Marshall and I came home from school Mom met us at the front door and she was crying. She said something awful had happened. She explained that some men had taken airplanes and flown them into the Twin Towers in New York City. We didn't have a tv so we went next door to our neighbors house. I watched on live tv as the second tower fell. I was people jumping out of the building in hopes of saving themselves. I listened as New Yorkers were interviewed and longed to be there with them. I longed to be back in the United States. I hated that I was, what felt like, a world away. My nation mourned for the loss of lives and for this awful act and I was in a foreign country left on my own to soak in the events and process the aftermath. Back in the US the country united together. The next day I went to school the next day, feeling sad and alone. I knew that everyone would talk about what had happened and because Marshall and I were the only Americans in our school I was sure people were going to be pestering me all day. Sure enough, I felt unable to escape. Our school had lots of Muslims from Afghanistan and Pakistan and I will never forget one girl's comment about how those men who hijacked the planes were brave and did what they believed was good. It broke my heart. I talked to my friends back in New York who told me about how everyone had banded together and I felt abandoned. But today, I am so happy to be back in the wonderful United States of America. I am so happy to live in a democracy. I am so grateful for the Constitution. I am so grateful to worship freely. And I am so grateful that no one can take that away from me.

Monday, August 24, 2009

all kinds of weather, we stick together


Angela's home. It was wonderful to go to New York to pick her up. She's speaking in church on Sunday, August 31st at 1:00. It's nice to have her home and have our family be all together again. More details about NY to follow.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

it's calling me

In less than 24 hours I will be in my home state. I feel it calling to me. I know that home is where your family is, and therefore home is now Salem, UT but I can't help but think of NY as home. When people ask me where I'm from I hesitate ever so slightly before saying "my family lives in Salem, Utah" (notice the phrasing- very carefully worded). I have a love for NY that won't go away. I love it- all of it. Yesterday at work I was putting pins in the map on the wall of where all the TAs and the people in our office are from. I ever so sneekily put my pin in Ithaca, NY. I think I'll end up moving it, just so people don't get confused when I tell them I'm from NY and yet somehow my dad is a professor on campus (it's happened many a time, and therefore I've reverted to the above phrase). But I look forward to a brief return to my home state, and even though we'll be six hours away from my town, I'm quite please to once again inhabit this lovely place, if only for a few days.

grateful


today as i walked up to campus i was impressed by the beauty that surrounds me and how much i have to be grateful for. here are a few of the things i'm grateful for today:

a lovely campus full of beauty

nice people who make my job easier

jamba juice

a good job

a fabulous new apartment complete with the best roommate ever (since my previous best roommate ever got married off to her hubby)

a dad who works on campus in the building next to me

my wonderful sister whom i get to see in less than 24 hours

the gospel and how i'm continually learning new things

the Beatles, who keep me company at work in the lonely basement of the SWKT

Sunday, August 16, 2009

sign me up

It was recently pointed out to me by a friend that all the change taking place in my life is due to the growing up process. Something, may I just say, that I am not a fan of. As previously stated, I don't like change. Well, let me correct that. I don't like change that I'm not a part of. Many friends are getting significant others, thereby forcing me to make new friends. Which is really a blessing in disguise since making new friends is good and force is really the only way that I do it. As we were chatting I couldn't help but think of this interesting Op-Ed piece I read in the Times by Molly Ringwald entitled "The Neverland Club". It's about director John Hughes who just passed away, and how he never wanted to grow up- he was essentially Peter Pan in her eyes. Read it if you get the chance. And it made me realize that I don't really want to grow up either. I love my life right now. I LOVE college. I love most things associated with college. I love my independence. I love my friends. I love that I'm close to my family (but not too close). BUT I've come to accept the fact that no matter how much I fight it, I will grow up. And so will everyone around me, and that means change is a comin'. But that's ok. I'm now working on having a positive attitude and embracing life as it comes rather than hiding from it in my imaginary land of Neverland.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

hello beautiful

Guess where I'm at. I'm sitting in the living room as I watch Gilmore Girls. That's right. I'm watching tv in the living room while simaltanously using my computer. My dreams have come true. I now have in my possession a laptop. Thanks to some help from my lovely parentals (who I am paying back just for the record) I went to Best Buy and made the purchase. I know nothing about computers but after some research I picked one out and I'm in love. I named her Scout but I'm still not sure about the name (ps- you get bonus points if you know where the name comes from).
And that is only the tip of the iceberg. Today was wonderful. I got off work early due to graduation which was a much needed break. AND my boss informed me that come fall I get a $1 raise! Booyah! That puts me at $9.50 which is really good for an on-campus job. And because it was such a wonderful day I had to celebrate. I stopped by Cafe Rio for a delicious dinner of pork salad. Lovely. Life is good my friends. Life is good.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

my picks

two movies I'm dying to see.... (i'm addicted, i know)

I'm hoping my lovely mother will take me to see this one. It just looks so cute! Plus it's directed by Nora Ephron who is one of my favorites. (She did You've Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle).


Oh Hugh Dancy how do I love thee? This movie looks amazing. Hugh Dancy plays a man with Asperger's Syndrome, and from the looks of it he does a great job. I love original movies with good insights (see post below about 500 Days of Summer). It's kind of an independent film so I don't know if it'll be playing around here anytime soon, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

If anyone gets the chance to see these before I do- let me know how they are. There's nothing worse than getting your hopes up and having the movie disappoint you.

Monday, August 10, 2009

tis true

I finally saw the movie I've been dying to see for months. (500) Days of Summer. It was amazing. Everything I dreamed of and more. I highly recommend it. However- I'd like to give a warning. It is not your typical romantic comedy at all. Boy does not end up with girl (I'm not giving anything away- it tells you this at the very beginning of the movie). And that's what makes it so perfectly wonderful. It's real. At first as I was sitting in the theater I was heartbroken, because I love happy endings. I wanted Summer and Tom to be together. I felt gypped and robbed of the happiness that these movies are supposed to provide me. But then I realized- this is how it really goes. You don't always end up with the person you wish you could. And ya know what? That's ok, life goes on. There's some heartache, sure, but it's not the end of the world. That's what this movie showed. So, combine a fantastic soundtrack, an adorable (well dressed) boy and a cute girl with a fantastic style and you get one original, creative movie- which is how I think it should be.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

my favorite things

People sprinting across campus. Does it get much better than this? I submit that it does not. They're desperately trying to gain control of the giant pack on their back which is weighing them down while dashing frantically to their unknown desitnation. In essence, they end up in a semi-waddle. It's hilarious. As I was on my lunch break yesterday, a boy was running at full speed with a paper in his hands (it was 2:34 and I assumed the paper was due at 2:30- but I could be wrong) towards the south end of campus. I couldn't help but smile.

(sadly, there are no pictures I could find that do such an event justice)

highlights

I thought I'd share some of the highlights of the past few weeks with you

1. Shot gun shooting with Sean- my last two shot I hit my targets right on. It was fabulous.
2. Cooking myself an amazing meal. I never cook real food so it was a big deal. Thank you food network
3. Visiting Jamie in Ogden for the weekend

We ate breakfast at Jeremiah's and got caramel pecan french toast- so good.

4. Going to my first drive in movie! (My dad claims I've been to one when I was little- but I have no recollection)
5. Going to the Sherwood concert at the Velour- one of the places I've always wanted to go to in Provo but never have always wanted to. The music was great- I love discovering new bands to listen to.
6. Going to Zupa's for dinner with my best friend Misty from high school who I haven't seen in about a year and eating a delicious salad and reminiscing on the good ol' days and catching up on the present.
7. Debating with the American Heritage TAs about school vouchers (and mom and Marshall)
8. Seeing Parker advance in the priesthood to the office of priest- he's growing up so fast!
9. Finally seeing UP (it's SO cute ps- go see it if you haven't. You'll love it)
10. Playing Mario Kart Wii for the first time. I got my trash kicked but it was way fun.

11. And lastly- buying my all sports pass- football season is just around the corner. Season opener against OU is September 5!

Monday, August 3, 2009

welcome august

These two buildings are my second home- the SWKT and the JFSB.

August is officially here and it is with mixed emotions that I enter into this month. Fall semester begins in less than a month. I have to be honest and say I am excited. I love the new semester and new classes and new adventures. I love the return of students to campus and the constant buzz and flurry of excitement between classes. I love that I'm going to be a senior and that I know campus like the back of my hand. I love that I'm going to begin my education program. I love that my friends who moved away for the summer will be back. I love that I get to move into a new apartment with my best friend and meet new people. I love that all the TAs I work with will be back. I love that football season begins. I love the cooler weather.
But I do not like all the reading, tests and homework. But I guess they balance each other out. I love learning. I like going to classes and coming away with a deeper insight into a piece of literature than I could have had on my own.
August also brings the return of Angela. This is probably the most exciting thing. In three weeks (August 18th to be exact) I will be on a red eye with my parents on our way to the city that never sleeps to pick her up from her mission. I can't believe it's been 18 months. Time flew by. We've grown closer since she left, as weird as that may sound. But through our weekly e-mails I've told her everything about my life and I can't wait to have my best friend back. Although, I'm sure things won't always be as peachy keen as I'm envisioning I'm looking forward to the adventures we'll have together.

Friday, July 31, 2009

things that annoy me

I couldn't resist compiling this list. A few things recently have really started to grind my gears (Marshall's favorite phrase) and I just needed to share. So- in no particular order....

1. All the Michael Jackson coverage. Seriously?! It's still going on. Enough already.
2. Jon and Kate. Never seen the show and never plan to but I think it's ridiculous the amount of press attention they're getting and the way they're handling it all.
3. The Henry Louis Gates arrest. Really Obama? You felt the need to comment and interfere?
4. The fact that some of the greatest baseball players of all time- including Sosa, Bonds, A-Rod, Ramirez and Ortiz are all involved in the doping scandal. I feel betrayed. Sammy Sosa was the man when I was growing up and (even though I hate the Sox) Ramirez and Ortiz got the Sox out of their funk. And it's all a lie!

5. Parents of incoming freshman. American Heritage is full for the fall. There really is nothing I can do about it. Calling and telling me your son/daughter's life story and why they have to take American Heritage this semester will not change the fact that the class is full and there really is nothing I can do. Please believe me when I tell you this and don't treat me like I'm stupid just because when you were at BYU (20+ years ago, might I add) things worked differently.

The end. Well actually, that's not the end. There's lots more I could add but chose to refrain.

Monday, July 20, 2009

neat

This is one of the coolest things I've seen/read in a long time. In the middle of New York City a bunch of people came together to create this awesome oasis. And the best part is that the swimming pool is made out of dumpsters. Amazing. I love creative people.

i heart ny

Lately, I've really been missing my home state of New York. Despite my family living in Utah I still claim Ithaca, NY as home. It's where the majority of my childhood took place and where many of my best memories are. I loved Ithaca. I love the east coast. I loved living near a lake and I loved the falls with the beautiful leaves. I LOVED our ward, and miss it constantly. I had the realization hit me that this past week was the Hill Cumorah Pageant which our family went to every year. It broke my heart to realize that I missed it. My goal is the summer after I graduate to go back to NY and be in the pagent. I think that'd be lovely. I think in my mind I've slightly idealized Ithaca and what it was and is. I know my parents don't hold quite the same fondness for it that I do. But I'm ok with that. I think that when I go (notice it's a when, not an if) I may be slightly disenchanted, or I may fall in love with it even more, it could do either way. I'm hoping for the latter.




Friday, July 17, 2009

food for thought

"I must learn to love the fool in me--the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool." -- Theodore I. Rubin, MD

(quote and photo via A CUP OF JO)

i heart matt clayton photography

I discovered Matt Clayton photography a few weeks ago and I LOVE everything he does. It's so unique and beautiful. I couldn't resist sharing. (And he's from Utah!)