Confession: I'm an avid 11:11 wisher.
Yeah, some people claim they wish on 11:11. Whatever.
I go so far as to follow the rules of 11:11 wishing...Which are as follows:
1. Don't say what you wished for. EVER. Or else it won't come true. Go ahead. Ask me what I wished for. I dare you to. Many have tried. All have failed. I'm not telling you my wish. I'm not playing around with this.
2. Don't sit around waiting at 11:10 watching the clock for 11:11 to happen. That's like cheating. It's like babysitting the base in tag. Or goaltending in basketball. Whatever, just don't do it.
3. If someone tells you it's 11:11 and to make a wish...then freaking do it! Jeez. Consider yourself lucky for having someone care to share the opportunity to make a wish with you.
4. If you are within sight of a clock, it's always helpful (but not always necessary) to kiss the clock. For extra luck. And who doesn't want extra luck?
So I realize this kind of makes me crazy. But I have reason to be!
In 10th grade, a dear friend of mine made me a "wish bracelet." She said to make a wish when I put it on, and when it fell off...the said wish would come true. At this time, we had just moved to Arizona, and were living with my aunt. I wished to find our own house. My bracelet fell off in February. The Friday after it fell...we moved into the house we live in now.
WHAT. Yeah.
Ever since then...I've believed in wishes.
Okay. Maybe that whole thing was sheer coincidence.
Maybe the bracelet fell off because I had showered and swam with it...for several months. Maybe it was just it's time.
That very well could be.
But that doesn't stop my believing in 11:11.
Wishes give us hope. We've been taught to wish since we were little, each year blowing out our birthday candles..."MAKE A WISH!"
It gives us hope that although our dreams and aspirations may be a bit far fetched, there's a slim chance that it might just happen. It might just come true.
I'll confess that my 11:11 wishes are typically the same. Or some derivative of the same wish. I have this wished tucked away in my brain, and as soon as I see that it's 11:11, I wish it. And you know what? It will come true. Or maybe it won't, it's really not entirely under my control. But it keeps me motivated. It gives me hope. What's life without a little something we want to pursue, or achieve, or fulfill to keep us motivated, and to keep us from living without a purpose? And who's to say my wish, or anyone's for that matter, could NEVER EVER be granted?
Anyway, I'm going to keep on wishing.
Because it can't hurt.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
"19 is the new 35"
I hate that I don't blog as much as I should.
And I hate that when I do blog...or crave it...it's when I'm procrastinating something.
Anyway, now that I'm here, let me cut to the chase.
I turned 19 on Sunday! AHH.
I have to say though, this was my favorite birthday ever. And I've had some pretty great birthdays.
Like my Quinceanera:
Or this super cool (3rd?) birthday party at Chuck-e-Cheese:
Or my 1st birthday, where I obviously developed my love for cake:
But really. Over the years I've had some good times. And I've had some bad. (cough, last year, cough) But this year. Was just great. For some reason, I had this fear, that no one would remember my birthday...that I'd just sit in my dorm all day Sunday and have my own little party watching football or something.
Didn't happen.
Basically, I had SO much fun with some of my best friends. Had 2 birthday dinners. Capitalized on as much free stuff as I possibly could. There wasn't really a dull moment.
And even though I wasn't at home, my family made it just as great. They made me videos and sent me cards, which meant just as much as anything else I could've done at home.
My mom, though, made me a video that made my cry like a baby. Like, I'm tearing up just thinking about it. She scanned a bunch of my baby pictures, and compiled it into a slideshow that went to an acoustic version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. So then I started to feel really really old. Which yeah, I know, I'm not old at all, really.
But here's what freaks me out:
People my age get married.
What.
Yeah, okay, so it's typically mostly only in the Mormon culture. Aka Mesa/Utah. But still. Even 20, 21, girls get married.
"19 is the new 35. You're in your PRIME!"
Um. How can someone like me get married? That's what old people do. Well. Not old people. But people who got married were always so old compared to me. One of my dear friends is engaged. She's a year younger than me.
Uhhhhhh.
There's no turning back now. It's full speed ahead. I have to be responsible from now until forever. From now until forever I have to worry about jobs, and money, and housing. Grown up stuff.
GROWN UP STUFF.
I shouldn't have to worry about that. Can't I just party at Chuck-e-cheese some more?
I need to stop. There's no point trying to grow up too fast.
For now, I'm just going to enjoy my youth while I still can. That means drinking too many energy drinks, listening to music incredibly loud, and eating more sweets than is medically acceptable.
So here's to being 19:
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011>2010
Top 10 Lessons Learned in 2010.
10. Krispy Kreme donuts are made for consumption...not for throwing out the windows of cars.
9. You can sleep when you die. It is very possible to run on very minimal amounts of sleep. ...Even on Game Days.
8. Procrastination works!! Although, it can be quite painful at times.
7. Some battles aren't worth fighting. Because as much as you want to win...you probably never will. Thus, stop wasting your time, efforts, and emotions and divert them to battles that you do have a fighting chance in.
6. Never throw snowballs without gloves on. NEVER.
5. When you find someone you can trust...hold on to them. These days, they are very hard to come across.
4. Hard work pays off. So don't quit.
3. Burning bridges is necessary sometimes, as difficult as it is. But some best friends will always be there...despite adversity.
2. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
1. Family is always going to be there. Through moving away. Through losing best friends. No matter what. So if you don't like your family...get over it.
10. Krispy Kreme donuts are made for consumption...not for throwing out the windows of cars.
9. You can sleep when you die. It is very possible to run on very minimal amounts of sleep. ...Even on Game Days.
8. Procrastination works!! Although, it can be quite painful at times.
7. Some battles aren't worth fighting. Because as much as you want to win...you probably never will. Thus, stop wasting your time, efforts, and emotions and divert them to battles that you do have a fighting chance in.
6. Never throw snowballs without gloves on. NEVER.
5. When you find someone you can trust...hold on to them. These days, they are very hard to come across.
4. Hard work pays off. So don't quit.
3. Burning bridges is necessary sometimes, as difficult as it is. But some best friends will always be there...despite adversity.
2. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
1. Family is always going to be there. Through moving away. Through losing best friends. No matter what. So if you don't like your family...get over it.
Monday, October 11, 2010
About time!
I used to be so excited to update my blog.
...And then I started college.
I mean, it's not that I'm not excited anymore, it's just a severe lack of time.
And I feel like I should probably be documenting everything that's happening. That I should've kept this updated to document the up's and down's and truly reflect the whole college experience. I mean, this is a pretty huge change right? This is a pretty significant part in my life. I probably should've expressed my feelings or something. I probably should've talked about the things on my mind, the concerns, the fears, all of that.
But quite frankly, I'm glad I didn't.
Truth: College sucked. (Past tense. Don't start worrying about me too much.)
I really don't want to get into specifics as to why it sucked, because I try to put the past behind me. I think I had a severe case of homesickness...something I didn't think would hit me too hard. But honestly, no matter how mature you think you are, no matter how much you've convinced yourself that you'll be fine, no matter how ready for college you think you are...you're not. I missed little things. I missed getting in a car and driving wherever I wanted because I knew where everything was. I missed walking into the pantry to grab a snack. I missed my dog, for goodness sake! And of course, I missed my family, my brother, especially.
College wasn't as easy as a transition as I imagined. For some reason I had it all blown up in my mind, glorified to be something awesome, that I'd instantly make tons and tons of friends and we'd hang out all the time and it was just going to be super awesome.
Well as it turns out, that's not the way it works, exactly. My dorm, Coronado, really is all it's cracked up to be. Bros and sorority hos. I'm pretty sure they broke the record for highest number of MIP's in one dorm...on the first weekend. And then there was marching band. Band camp was literally hell. Literally. I mean, it was over 100 degrees outside. It was so incredibly time consuming, because if I wasn't practicing, I was exhausted FROM practicing. And of course, I was a rookie again...I forgot what it was like to be at the bottom, and not know anyone, and have no one know you.
So after the first month or so I started thinking to myself, "Is any of this worth it?" I was so incredibly unhappy. I mean, there were definitely some good times, I definitely did have fun, but in the overall scheme of things, was I happy here in Tucson, did I belong here?
Oh, and then I started to question my major. MY MAJOR. Seriously? I love journalism. I was so ridiculously set on being a sports broadcaster, how could I question that. I'm taking a Principles of Journalism class and in the first classes my professor showed us statistics, about how many of us will actually change majors. How few of us will actually work in the field we want (aka sports broadcasting). How competitive the field is. How it's a dying profession. How so many people who graduate with a journalism degree, simply can't find jobs. Just super disheartening stuff.
Anyway, I re-evaluated myself and my situation. After talking a lot with my best friend in the whole wide world, I highly considered a transfer to BYU-Provo, something I have always always ALWAYS been against. (I realized that it would be a lot harder to transfer than I realized, first year transfer students don't qualify for scholarships, whaaat.) So after that was out of the question, and after a lot of conversations with my best friends (I really didn't want to tell anyone about my doubts, so I actually held it in for a while. I mean, I didn't even want to tell my family because I didn't want them to worry about me.) I realized that my attitude needed to change. Deep down, I knew things would work out...that's just the way it is. We're not given more challenges than we can handle, right? But I needed to be more positive. And that was my goal for September. If I was going to be here, I might as well enjoy myself and stop worrying...because things will fall into place.
So September.
I think things really started to lighten up when my family came down for Labor day. They were literally here for a day, but that was definitely the pick-me-up I needed. Having a pasta-fest with them at Olive Garden, catching up with my brother at the mall. Yeah, I needed that.
And from then on...things just kept getting better! I've been really successful in all of my classes, which has made me extremely happy. Band has become much much MUCH more enjoyable. (probably because I'm just so immune to pain now...) Football games are actually quite fun, and it's so great to walk to my dorm after games and have people literally applaud me because they're so impressed. (yeah, so much for band kids being losers, we're like frickin celebrities) Oh! And (this is such a cool story) I met a super awesome girl named Olivia in my ward. Who turns out, grew up around the same part of Florida I did, and who's sister is in the same ward I was in when I lived in Florida? Yeah suuuuuper crazy small world! Anyway, we've been having great times with Fat Fridays, Jersey Shore nights, fist pumping like champs, hitting the gym, and just having great adventures.
There's definitely significant people who really kept me going, who I really truly appreciate a lot, and they probably don't know it.
Like, my family, for just caring so much.
And Mary. Who skypes with me all the time. No really. ALL the time. Whenever either of us has a bad day, we can call each other in a second and we know exactly what each other is going through. I'm just seriously so grateful to have a friend like her, that even if we've moved forever away from each other, we've still grown so close to each other, since we were babies.
And Alan. Without this kid, I probably would've died in band. Probably. He know's when I'm upset even when I don't talk about it, therefore he cheers me up 99% of the time.
And Karissa, Alec, and Alisha. Because they listen, they're on my side, and they make me laugh. And they're really wise. All of them, in their own way. They are definitely way more mature than they should be, and I love that so much.
Truth: I love college.
I may have had a rough start, I may have had some unexpected changes, I may have had experiences that I definitely didn't anticipate, but I'm really happy where I'm at now.
Sure, there could be aspects of my life I wish were better, it is very possible to be happiER, but I'm content.
...And I know this is where I'm supposed to be.
...And then I started college.
I mean, it's not that I'm not excited anymore, it's just a severe lack of time.
And I feel like I should probably be documenting everything that's happening. That I should've kept this updated to document the up's and down's and truly reflect the whole college experience. I mean, this is a pretty huge change right? This is a pretty significant part in my life. I probably should've expressed my feelings or something. I probably should've talked about the things on my mind, the concerns, the fears, all of that.
But quite frankly, I'm glad I didn't.
Truth: College sucked. (Past tense. Don't start worrying about me too much.)
I really don't want to get into specifics as to why it sucked, because I try to put the past behind me. I think I had a severe case of homesickness...something I didn't think would hit me too hard. But honestly, no matter how mature you think you are, no matter how much you've convinced yourself that you'll be fine, no matter how ready for college you think you are...you're not. I missed little things. I missed getting in a car and driving wherever I wanted because I knew where everything was. I missed walking into the pantry to grab a snack. I missed my dog, for goodness sake! And of course, I missed my family, my brother, especially.
College wasn't as easy as a transition as I imagined. For some reason I had it all blown up in my mind, glorified to be something awesome, that I'd instantly make tons and tons of friends and we'd hang out all the time and it was just going to be super awesome.
Well as it turns out, that's not the way it works, exactly. My dorm, Coronado, really is all it's cracked up to be. Bros and sorority hos. I'm pretty sure they broke the record for highest number of MIP's in one dorm...on the first weekend. And then there was marching band. Band camp was literally hell. Literally. I mean, it was over 100 degrees outside. It was so incredibly time consuming, because if I wasn't practicing, I was exhausted FROM practicing. And of course, I was a rookie again...I forgot what it was like to be at the bottom, and not know anyone, and have no one know you.
So after the first month or so I started thinking to myself, "Is any of this worth it?" I was so incredibly unhappy. I mean, there were definitely some good times, I definitely did have fun, but in the overall scheme of things, was I happy here in Tucson, did I belong here?
Oh, and then I started to question my major. MY MAJOR. Seriously? I love journalism. I was so ridiculously set on being a sports broadcaster, how could I question that. I'm taking a Principles of Journalism class and in the first classes my professor showed us statistics, about how many of us will actually change majors. How few of us will actually work in the field we want (aka sports broadcasting). How competitive the field is. How it's a dying profession. How so many people who graduate with a journalism degree, simply can't find jobs. Just super disheartening stuff.
Anyway, I re-evaluated myself and my situation. After talking a lot with my best friend in the whole wide world, I highly considered a transfer to BYU-Provo, something I have always always ALWAYS been against. (I realized that it would be a lot harder to transfer than I realized, first year transfer students don't qualify for scholarships, whaaat.) So after that was out of the question, and after a lot of conversations with my best friends (I really didn't want to tell anyone about my doubts, so I actually held it in for a while. I mean, I didn't even want to tell my family because I didn't want them to worry about me.) I realized that my attitude needed to change. Deep down, I knew things would work out...that's just the way it is. We're not given more challenges than we can handle, right? But I needed to be more positive. And that was my goal for September. If I was going to be here, I might as well enjoy myself and stop worrying...because things will fall into place.
So September.
I think things really started to lighten up when my family came down for Labor day. They were literally here for a day, but that was definitely the pick-me-up I needed. Having a pasta-fest with them at Olive Garden, catching up with my brother at the mall. Yeah, I needed that.
And from then on...things just kept getting better! I've been really successful in all of my classes, which has made me extremely happy. Band has become much much MUCH more enjoyable. (probably because I'm just so immune to pain now...) Football games are actually quite fun, and it's so great to walk to my dorm after games and have people literally applaud me because they're so impressed. (yeah, so much for band kids being losers, we're like frickin celebrities) Oh! And (this is such a cool story) I met a super awesome girl named Olivia in my ward. Who turns out, grew up around the same part of Florida I did, and who's sister is in the same ward I was in when I lived in Florida? Yeah suuuuuper crazy small world! Anyway, we've been having great times with Fat Fridays, Jersey Shore nights, fist pumping like champs, hitting the gym, and just having great adventures.
There's definitely significant people who really kept me going, who I really truly appreciate a lot, and they probably don't know it.
Like, my family, for just caring so much.
And Mary. Who skypes with me all the time. No really. ALL the time. Whenever either of us has a bad day, we can call each other in a second and we know exactly what each other is going through. I'm just seriously so grateful to have a friend like her, that even if we've moved forever away from each other, we've still grown so close to each other, since we were babies.
And Alan. Without this kid, I probably would've died in band. Probably. He know's when I'm upset even when I don't talk about it, therefore he cheers me up 99% of the time.
And Karissa, Alec, and Alisha. Because they listen, they're on my side, and they make me laugh. And they're really wise. All of them, in their own way. They are definitely way more mature than they should be, and I love that so much.
Truth: I love college.
I may have had a rough start, I may have had some unexpected changes, I may have had experiences that I definitely didn't anticipate, but I'm really happy where I'm at now.
Sure, there could be aspects of my life I wish were better, it is very possible to be happiER, but I'm content.
...And I know this is where I'm supposed to be.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Once upon a time...
I hate chick flicks.
Nicholas Sparks? Yeah, hate him, and his books, with their pathetic movie renditions. Yes, that includes The Notebook. Oh, and the Twilight saga? Hate it. The cheeziness oozing out of every scene. You know, the boy brushing the hair out of the girls face ever so gently. The million dollar lines that every guy uses. The way everything works out for everyone...
Gag. Me.
Because let's be real. It doesn't work that way. How many girls have really been kissed in the rain? How many girls have really been fed the line, "you're my exception". (Which by the way, I would pretty much DIE if someone said that to me...) How many girls can really say that they had a prince charming sweep them off their feet and live happily ever after?
Not many. And kudos to you, if you're life is like a movie. A movie with a happy ending, that is.
But as unrealistic as they are and as disgusting as the cheezy level is...I throughly enjoy them. I get so into them too...clenching my fists, throwing pillows, yelling at the tv, and of course...bawling my eyes out. I know I'm not the only one, either.
Why?
Because every girl's life is like their own personal chick flick. Every girl watches these movies with a boy in mind. Every girl wants that happy ending. Every girl relates...somehow. Girls are analytical, it's a fact. And instead of wrapping themselves up in their own drama, they escape into the movie...which is probably why girls just love chick flicks.
I think they should make chick flicks more realistic. Take the real life situations. Take the girl who likes the boy who's away a mission for 2 years. Take the girl who can't get over the boy who treats her like crap. Take the girl that has feelings for her best friend, for the longest time, but no matter what she does, doesn't stand a chance. Or take the boy, even, that falls in love with a girl who shreds his heart and gets engaged to someone she's dated for a mere 3 months. You know what I mean. And by the way...they might not even have a happy ending. But it's real life.
Maybe I'm just feeling terribly cynical. One of my dear friends said to me, "You know what? I'm just going to meet someone in college. A gorgeous returned missionary who's rich and a musical prodigy...and he's just going to give me everything I want and we'll have beautiful children and we'll live happily ever after!" Yeah yeah yeah. That's what we're fed, even as children. Cindrella. Sleeping Beauty. Snow White. Yeah, even the Disney Princess have perfect love lives. So where's my Prince Charming? My knight in shining armor? Let's face it. As much as a girl dreams about a Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice...she's probably going to find someone much like a Kevin from 27 Dresses, aka, the douchebag who drives you crazy but you just can't get enough of. Or maybe that's just me, whatever.
The point of my story, or rant, is that chick flicks are unrealistic. Almost everyone knows that's not what real life is like...for guys and girls alike.
But you know what? I love chick flicks...and so does every other girl. Because it gives us hope. Because even if we've never been kissed by a boy we like, even if we've never been in a real relationship, even if we've been completely rejected...we keep swimming to find that other fish in the sea. Because someday it will happen, because hopefully someday, every girl will have her happy ending.
And on that note...I'm going to go watch He's Just Not That Into You.
Nicholas Sparks? Yeah, hate him, and his books, with their pathetic movie renditions. Yes, that includes The Notebook. Oh, and the Twilight saga? Hate it. The cheeziness oozing out of every scene. You know, the boy brushing the hair out of the girls face ever so gently. The million dollar lines that every guy uses. The way everything works out for everyone...
Gag. Me.
Because let's be real. It doesn't work that way. How many girls have really been kissed in the rain? How many girls have really been fed the line, "you're my exception". (Which by the way, I would pretty much DIE if someone said that to me...) How many girls can really say that they had a prince charming sweep them off their feet and live happily ever after?
Not many. And kudos to you, if you're life is like a movie. A movie with a happy ending, that is.
But as unrealistic as they are and as disgusting as the cheezy level is...I throughly enjoy them. I get so into them too...clenching my fists, throwing pillows, yelling at the tv, and of course...bawling my eyes out. I know I'm not the only one, either.
Why?
Because every girl's life is like their own personal chick flick. Every girl watches these movies with a boy in mind. Every girl wants that happy ending. Every girl relates...somehow. Girls are analytical, it's a fact. And instead of wrapping themselves up in their own drama, they escape into the movie...which is probably why girls just love chick flicks.
I think they should make chick flicks more realistic. Take the real life situations. Take the girl who likes the boy who's away a mission for 2 years. Take the girl who can't get over the boy who treats her like crap. Take the girl that has feelings for her best friend, for the longest time, but no matter what she does, doesn't stand a chance. Or take the boy, even, that falls in love with a girl who shreds his heart and gets engaged to someone she's dated for a mere 3 months. You know what I mean. And by the way...they might not even have a happy ending. But it's real life.
Maybe I'm just feeling terribly cynical. One of my dear friends said to me, "You know what? I'm just going to meet someone in college. A gorgeous returned missionary who's rich and a musical prodigy...and he's just going to give me everything I want and we'll have beautiful children and we'll live happily ever after!" Yeah yeah yeah. That's what we're fed, even as children. Cindrella. Sleeping Beauty. Snow White. Yeah, even the Disney Princess have perfect love lives. So where's my Prince Charming? My knight in shining armor? Let's face it. As much as a girl dreams about a Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice...she's probably going to find someone much like a Kevin from 27 Dresses, aka, the douchebag who drives you crazy but you just can't get enough of. Or maybe that's just me, whatever.
The point of my story, or rant, is that chick flicks are unrealistic. Almost everyone knows that's not what real life is like...for guys and girls alike.
But you know what? I love chick flicks...and so does every other girl. Because it gives us hope. Because even if we've never been kissed by a boy we like, even if we've never been in a real relationship, even if we've been completely rejected...we keep swimming to find that other fish in the sea. Because someday it will happen, because hopefully someday, every girl will have her happy ending.
And on that note...I'm going to go watch He's Just Not That Into You.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Latress on the menjay
Ever since I moved here, some 3 years ago, I've had friends tell me that they'd come visit. "Oh my gosh, I want to come out there sometime!" ...but they never came. I mean, I don't blame them, tickets are terribly expensive, which is why I've never gone back to St. Pete myself. Anyway, when Allison told me she was going to visit, I thought, yeah of course you are.
Until she booked the flight.
Then it was for real.
So let me just summarize her stay here:
-First off, I compromised myself to babysit the Ellsworth kids. I moved into their house for about a week, drove their sweet Jeep (you can start the car by pressing a button on the key. what?!), and most importantly, took care of their 5, that's right...5...kids. We had Becca-14, Cami-13, Amy-9, Abby-6, Josh-3. They were great, no joke. Fighting was very minimal, they were very obedient, and very helpful. I think they taught me more than they realized. For instance, they taught me that I need to be financially ready for kids. One day one I took them to the movies. Then to get Coldstone. Then ordered pizza. Yeah, we spent about $80 that day. They also taught me that I need to be mentally ready for kids. One day, I woke up and found Josh upstairs by himself just singing and playing with trucks...naked. Where did his clothes go? Why on earth did he even take his clothes off? I do not know. All I know, is I'm too young to constantly be thinking for other people. I can barely keep track of my own life! But they did, however, help me realize that I can't wait to someday be a mom...I think I'd be pretty bomb at it!
...Oh, and they taught me to have respect for people with big families. Note to self: Have less than 5 kids. Kthanks.
-After the babysitting gig was over, Allison and I could do more grown up things. By grown up things I mean shopping. And by shopping I mean hitting every major mall in the area. Superstition, Fiesta, Tempe Marketplace...we hit them allllllllll. I never knew I could get sick of shopping...but I most definitely did. It was nice though, we got caught up on each others lives, I got a little taste of home. OH! She brought me the Longoria-Rays shirt that I've been dyyyyying for. We spent a lot of time listening to California Girls and whatever terrible music is constantly repeated on the radio. We hit Red Robin, where Alli experienced their glorious burgers. We hit Bahama Bucks which never lets us down. We hit QT, more than once of course, to get our caffiene on (and get headache pills, since she had this ongoing headache). On her last night, we hit Jack in the box, where the cashier couldn't believe that she'd never eaten there before. Afterwards, we took an adventure through Las Sendas. We nearly lost our voices from talking so much. We laughed hard...we went CRAY CRAY!
Anyway, it was really refreshing to have someone I grew up with come to visit. It used to get really hard for me when everyone around would talk about their junior high experiences...the memories they all had together and the crazy classes and teachers they endured. I would sit and listen, and even though their stories are interesting and entertaining, I never had any input. For once I could actually converse about my middle school experiences...the memories we had together and the crazy classes and teachers (or lack of) we endured. It was also nice that even though Alli and I hadn't talked that much, we could still get together and have such a good time...like we'd never been apart.
And for your viewing pleasure:
This is Abby. She's a diva. And she likes her boys. ;)
This is the first cherry stem I tied with my tongue. I was a little proud.
Allison was so fascinated by the amount of Jesus paraphenalia at Food City.
This is Josh. Yeah. Cutest kid of the year winner? I think so.
We went incognito when doorbell ditching/dropping off cookies.
Until she booked the flight.
Then it was for real.
So let me just summarize her stay here:
-First off, I compromised myself to babysit the Ellsworth kids. I moved into their house for about a week, drove their sweet Jeep (you can start the car by pressing a button on the key. what?!), and most importantly, took care of their 5, that's right...5...kids. We had Becca-14, Cami-13, Amy-9, Abby-6, Josh-3. They were great, no joke. Fighting was very minimal, they were very obedient, and very helpful. I think they taught me more than they realized. For instance, they taught me that I need to be financially ready for kids. One day one I took them to the movies. Then to get Coldstone. Then ordered pizza. Yeah, we spent about $80 that day. They also taught me that I need to be mentally ready for kids. One day, I woke up and found Josh upstairs by himself just singing and playing with trucks...naked. Where did his clothes go? Why on earth did he even take his clothes off? I do not know. All I know, is I'm too young to constantly be thinking for other people. I can barely keep track of my own life! But they did, however, help me realize that I can't wait to someday be a mom...I think I'd be pretty bomb at it!
...Oh, and they taught me to have respect for people with big families. Note to self: Have less than 5 kids. Kthanks.
-After the babysitting gig was over, Allison and I could do more grown up things. By grown up things I mean shopping. And by shopping I mean hitting every major mall in the area. Superstition, Fiesta, Tempe Marketplace...we hit them allllllllll. I never knew I could get sick of shopping...but I most definitely did. It was nice though, we got caught up on each others lives, I got a little taste of home. OH! She brought me the Longoria-Rays shirt that I've been dyyyyying for. We spent a lot of time listening to California Girls and whatever terrible music is constantly repeated on the radio. We hit Red Robin, where Alli experienced their glorious burgers. We hit Bahama Bucks which never lets us down. We hit QT, more than once of course, to get our caffiene on (and get headache pills, since she had this ongoing headache). On her last night, we hit Jack in the box, where the cashier couldn't believe that she'd never eaten there before. Afterwards, we took an adventure through Las Sendas. We nearly lost our voices from talking so much. We laughed hard...we went CRAY CRAY!
Anyway, it was really refreshing to have someone I grew up with come to visit. It used to get really hard for me when everyone around would talk about their junior high experiences...the memories they all had together and the crazy classes and teachers they endured. I would sit and listen, and even though their stories are interesting and entertaining, I never had any input. For once I could actually converse about my middle school experiences...the memories we had together and the crazy classes and teachers (or lack of) we endured. It was also nice that even though Alli and I hadn't talked that much, we could still get together and have such a good time...like we'd never been apart.
And for your viewing pleasure:
This is Abby. She's a diva. And she likes her boys. ;)
This is the first cherry stem I tied with my tongue. I was a little proud.
Allison was so fascinated by the amount of Jesus paraphenalia at Food City.
This is Josh. Yeah. Cutest kid of the year winner? I think so.
We went incognito when doorbell ditching/dropping off cookies.Thursday, July 1, 2010
42.
Fourty two.
-For the longest time, I'd wanted to go to the river...and I finally did! Alan and I were mattress buddies, which was super chill...even though we got completely destroyed by the sun. I also managed to be knocked over by a current and lose my flip flops. Yeah, I'm so graceful.
That's it.
42 days until I move out. Until I enter the rest of my life. Until I call Tucson home. Until I can do whatever, whenever, where ever, with whomever I want.
Pretty daunting, eh?
But really, where did June go? Day in, and day out, I did the same thing over. And over. And over. Wake up at 8:30, watch World Cup matches for hours on end, practice the piano a bit, hit the gym, watch more Sportscenter/PTI/Around the Horn than is healthy for a girl...and then finally at 3 am, fall asleep. But as I actually sit back and look at the things I've done this month... I feel pretty accomplished! I told myself that this summer had to be memorable...after all, it's the last summer of childhood I've got.
So here's the recap of Summer '10-Month 1:
-I successfully managed to get laid off for the first time in my life. It was rather frustrating, since I was promised a job until I left for college. Even if my paychecks were meager, and the hours scarce, it was a job. It was great that Kirsten had to text me and tell me my name was scratched off, and my hours were gone...Oh well. Thanks to Tropical Smoothie, I met Alec, who's one awesome kid. Oh, and free smoothies and cookie dough were great too.
-I finally hiked A Mountain! Every time I passed Sun Devil Stadium, I told myself I'd get to the top, and I did. The first time, in the crazy heat, with Curtis...where we decided to be adventurous and not use the trail. Then from the top, we found a pool over at a resort on Mill Ave. Yeah, we snuck in, no big deal. The second time was with Alan and Zach, at night...which seriously, is one of the coolest things ever. Just sitting at the top and seeing all of the city lights...definitely goes down as one of my favorite places to be.
-...and I hiked Camelback Mountain! So prior to this hike, I'd never really hiked a mountain with any sort of challenge. Not to mention, I did a hard leg workout the day before, not one of my brightest decisons. Anyway, I'm proud to say that Curtis and I made it to the top! An eccentric fellow (who was apparentally interested in me and my hair...) at the top gave us a rundown on all of the mountains around the area, so we have an idea of what we want to conquer next. (p.s. this is basically the only picture I have so far this summer. Depressing? I think so.)
-For the longest time, I'd wanted to go to the river...and I finally did! Alan and I were mattress buddies, which was super chill...even though we got completely destroyed by the sun. I also managed to be knocked over by a current and lose my flip flops. Yeah, I'm so graceful.
-I met one of my work out goals!!! I can now squat 55 lbs on each side...and my goal was 50 by the end of the summer. I was so excited. My other goal was to do 5 pull ups...and right now I'm at 4. Which, compared to the NONE I could do before, is really sweet.
-Karissa, Tony, and I finally made a temple trip. It was short and sweet, but refreshing nonetheless. We're going to try and make it a weekly routine!
-Eclipse midnight showing. Oh my goodness. Karissa and I had far too much fun that night...laughing at the cheeziness of the movie, squirming at the passion in the movie, Claire de Lune, "soaking up our awesomeness", making fun of squealing girls, drawing parallels and connections, mean ghetto people in the parking lot...I just love that girl to pieces.
-Oh, duh, I got oriented! Daddy and I spent two days in Tucson, which was really nice, since I never see him. We made fun of boring speakers, annoying parents, and had an overall good time. My dad's the bomb.
-In honor of World Cup month...Al and I played soccer! Which really isn't a huge deal...but since I never EVER get to play anymore, any chance I get makes my day. I usually school him, but this time he pulled some slick moves that I was actually impressed by. Anyway, it was a way fun afternoon.
...and those are just some of the highlights of June. There's been tears. There's been honesty. There's been lessons learned. There's been good AND bad times. But I can't wait to see what July has in store for me!
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