C.O.L.D.

Crippling
Overrated
Lame
Dull

I hate the cold. I hate walking in the wind all over campus. I hate that my eyes water in the cold and so when anyone looks at me they look at me with sympathy, as if I was actually crying about something. I hate getting bundled up and then getting to class and sweating myself to death because of the layers. I hate wearing my hood, and having my hair messed up. I hate having to put my hands in my pockets or else they would begin to freeze off. I hate that my nose gets super cold and it stays like that for the next couple minutes while I'm inside. I hate the cold.

Gentleman?

I am really am not a fan of this single time of my life. Its filled with let downs. Sometimes I wish all guys could be gentleman at least. Can't guys have the decency to just make a girl fill like they are appreciated?

This is probably a vent blog...but really...a year and half into college and I haven't been asked on one date. How come no one dates any more? It is all about hanging out. And texting! Everyone uses it as this blocker instead of going out and interacting with people. I just wish someone would give me the chance...

Sorry this is just a soap box for me. The end.

Keep in touch...

I have lived in 3 towns, been in 7 different wards and have met a lot of people. A lot of them have meant a lot to me. So how to "keep in touch" with people is the problem I am faced with. Then on top of that many of them have left on missions or have gotten married and it makes it even harder. I feel deeply about people. I really look at the impact they have had on my life and I forever appreciate them for that impact. I feel the need to keep in touch with them...but it is not easy. Maybe by just living my life by the things they have taught me will be enough of an appreciation. Jefferey Lietchy showed me music and books that are now my all time favorites. Anne Rutherford introduced me to Gilmore Girls and made me realize how unique everyone is and to accept others. Hilary Larsen showed me how to be me and not be ashamed of that. Brandt Nichols motivated me to be the best me at all times. Adriana Ampuero is one of the main reasons why I love to dance my heart out. Bryan Brown has made me realize all the reasons to be happy and love life. Chris Hamilton showed me what it means to really listen and be a good friend.

There are so many more people that have been an influence for good in my life. I love each one of them! A couple of my favorite quotes are:

"Things don't matter...people do"

"Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you have"

I believe people do matter. And I am happy because all I want is what I have had in my life...I couldn't ask for anything better.

Don't know why this post ended up where it did...but I hope that those in my life that I haven't been the best at keeping in touch with...I hope that they know that I think of all of them often because you guys have all become a part of who I am today.

Feelings of Fall

Fall has never been a favorite season of mine, even though it is filled with some of my favorite holidays, I still have never loved it. Fall is a mixture of weather. Some days it will be so cold and snowy that you don't want to leave your house. Other days will be so warm that the heat teases you because you know winter is around the corner and there are snow storms in the way of next spring and summer. Fall is also a mixture of changes. I got out my winter clothes and put my summer ones away. I have started into my midterms which means I am spending more time at the library. And lastly the year is coming to an end. The end of the year is always exciting to me, with a hint of sadness. I like "starting fresh" with the new year, but I also get sad because I know everyone I know is going to be another year older. I love getting older and seeing what each age brings, but I want everyone around me to stay the same. Kristy and Lisa are applying for college right now. My oldest nephew will be 4! And my parents are about to reach 50. Sometimes I wish I could slow down time. Life is always moving and I just have to try and keep up with it.

Because the new year is on its way I have decided a couple of goals that I hope I can accomplish starting them now. Why do we have to wait for a new year to set goal? Here they are:

1. Do P90X for 90 days

2. Go off sugar while I do P90x

3. Run a half marathon in April

Hopefully I can do all these. Wish me luck!

Feelings of the new semester: Not loving school this time around. I feel like my tests and everything are going well, it is just that this semester is the first time I have questioned what I am really going to do with my future. I think that once I know what that is I will be more confident and love school. Also...social life...what is that? Haha. Yeah haven't really found a "group" here yet...still working on it.

Goodbyes and Hugs

Yet again I have had to say goodbye to another friend.

However, I have figured out something. Goodbye hugs are the best and the worst. They are so sincere and meaningful. In those brief moments of embrace you have a connection that is unique. Its sweet because its a sign that you are appreciated, and you feel safe. Hugs are really amazing.

They are simple yet profound way of saying I will miss you, or thanks for being such a great friend. On the other end goodbye hugs are the worst. It is hard because you know this is the last

hug from them in who knows how many days, months or years. I have experienced many of these hugs in

the past 2 years. I am getting down to the last of my guy friends from High School to leave on their missions. I am ready for them to start coming home! Can't wait to experience "Hello Hugs."

Thanks to my cute niece and nephew they have showed exactly the happiness a hug can bring. (Thanks Monica for amazing Photography)

Bucket List 9. Go to New York City

Well I have successfully started fulfilling my bucket list. Here is a bit of an overview of how my trip went.

We (Denae, my mom and I) left SLC Wednesday morning. We had a bit of a layover in Chicago, which ended up a bit of a long layover.

On the plane ride from there Denae and I got a bit impatient wanting to get to NYC!

Finally we arrived :)

We checked into our hotel--Hotel Pennsylvania--and met up with Kyle and Monica (my older brother and his wife). That night we decided to walk up Times Square and to this restaurant called Stardust! It was this dinner that had people trying to get on Broadway as the waiters and waitresses. They sang while they served us and we ate an enjoyed their show! It was really fun and I loved it!

The next day we did a lot! We went to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero, the memorial building/church for 9/11 and canal street. It was all so fun! My experience on canal street was quite the experience. Everyone was so sketchy but I found it so entertaining. I did get a knock-off Coach bag.

So later that night we went to Red Lobster for dinner and then saw Wicked. It was my second time seeing Wicked but I loved it just as much as if I were seeing it for my first time! The singing was incredible. I just love the music from that musical.

On Friday (9/11) it was raining. We went to the Bread Factory for breakfast. I really thought it was way good for good prices. After breakfast Denae and I went to the Empire State building. Since it was raining we couldn't see much from the top but we could see some of the city while looking down. I was a little disappointed but there was a man up there that was working as a tour guide and I found him pretty funny--he helped lighten my mood about it!

Then the rest of our day was filled with going to the Manhattan Temple, Central Park, Serendipity and lots of rain. On the subway down to the Manhattan Temple we met a guy whose father had died on 9/11. It was a really memorable experience to talk to someone who had a first hand experience with the attacks on 9/11.

The Manhattan Temple was a very spiritual experience for me. We had just left the subway when we saw the temple. We then got to go inside. I have never had a more dramatic change before. I felt the Spirit so instantly it brought me to tears.

Serendipity was a little restaurant that was famous for their Frozen Hot Chocolate. So we had to go there and try it out. I liked the place because it was full of random things. The environment was way chill and I probably would go back if I ever went to NYC again.

The last night we got tickets to see Marry Poppins on Broadway! It was soo good!! I would recommend anyone to see it. It was fully magic, happiness, smiles, dancing and singing!

Overall I feel this trip couldn't have gone any better! I loved spending time with my mom, Denae, Kyle and Monica. I hope this isn't my last visit to New York City because I loved it!!

And so it begins...

Fall 2009.

New Apartment

New Classes (mostly)

New Roommate

New Social Scene

New Ward

New Friends

I think it will be a good semester.