HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its MIDNIGHT!!!!! Welcome to 2012!  Lets all hope the Mayans were wrong and the world doesn't end in 11 1/2 short months.  (cause if it does...I SERIOUSLY need to make some DRASTIC life changes before then!)

Shall we sum up?  Review the CRAZY year that has been 2011?  It has been a little out of control that is FOR SURE!!!

(Thanks to my new bloggy buddy for the link-up party :D)











January:
Cabin trip/sleepover: Getting through rough times with my FAVORITE person! : Figuring out what real fear was : Strengthening friendships with AMAZING friends : My first 2 in 1 week : BASKETBALL GAMES : Basketball LINES : and of course TONS OF HOMEWORK STRESS AND CLASSES

February:
Practical jokes : visit from an old friend : DECISIONS : The beginning of Sunday night chats : MORE GAMES! : Amazing experiences at the Crisis Nursery with some of the cutest kids EVER : Legit dyed my hair for the first time : Finally giving up on a completely hopeless case : and of course TONS OF HOMEWORK STRESS AND CLASSES

March:
Discovery of the creepy Jesus statue, the Jane Austen house, and the haunted house : Game parties at Marin 4/ SWEET 16!!!!!! : FLASHMOB!!!!! : Decisions : TONS of CLASSES HOMEWORK AND STRESS : Hanging out with people no matter what...cause I knew I would be leaving

April:
A cabin trip : THE first date : DECISIONS/FREAKING OUT : Graduation : A night at Rock Canyon : Too many goodbyes/see you laters..and too many tears : A 5 hour car ride from Chicago (thanks tornado) : Being bummed I was no longer in UT

May:
Lived at home for a while : Lots of late night phone calls : A whirlwind weekend trip to UT (CRAZY!) : Baby shower : Moving to Columbia : FREAKING OUT ABOUT THIS NEW PROGRAM

June:
More stress of school : adjusting to the new place : HATING it! : More late night phone calls/ skype chats : A broken heart..............

NO PICTURES HERE  :(

July:
An AMAZING holiday weekend with the family : still hating Columbia : escaping as much as possible : STUDYING STUDYING STUDYING : Spend HOURS AND HOURS at the pool : decide I prolly shouldn't hate Columbia...since I will be stuck there for 12 more months : make some friends

August:
DONE WITH NURSING SCHOOL FOR THE SEMESTER : Family comes to visit : Brother leaves on his mission : Fly to UT to drive to Montana : Fall in love with MT : Remember how it feels to be totally and completely happy again : Cousin's wedding : Held my "nephew" for the first time : Reluctantly return to CoMO

September:
Strengthen friendships in Columbia....trying to increase my level of happiness : FREAK OUT : STRESS OUT : Study a lot : go to clinicals : discover how much I LOVE women's health : got lost in the woods...and was found by search and rescue :)

October:
Go home for Conference Weekend : Visit from my aunt and uncle : Start dating a guy : Stop dating that guy : Start dating a different guy : Halloween fun : Pumpkin festival : Studying and stressing : Bonfires and cornmazes : FINALLY get a chance to work on the peds floor

November:
Had a MAGICAL birthday weekend : Stop dating a guy : Roller coaster emotions : STRESS and STUDYING : Early mornings and late nights : First ever kegger : Many late nights at Club VIP : home for Thanksgiving : used my city girl skills

December:
FINALS and CRAZINESS : magical trees : new friends : old friends : long late night chats : First Mizzou sporting event : Home for the holidays : visits in StL from CoMO friends : talk to Elder Willyerd via skype from AFRICA

Its been quite a year.  A rollercoaster of love and loss....stress and success.

Through it all I have had my friends.....old and new to get me through.

Distance has played a big part in this year.  But no matter how far

I have always been close to the people who matter most.

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne ?

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

Lovely...

So the other day I played you guys this song.  But I didn't really explain why.  So let me explain.
And let me give you the song again.....in case you didn't listen to it the last time.



Have you ever heard a girl completely scandalized at the prospect of being called "hot".  They are offended and feel "objectified".
Now ladies..lets tell the truth,  We don't mind it that much.  Its kind of complimenting.
To a point........

I was talking to an old friend recently and was told that in our group, I was considered the "hot one" and another friend of mine was considered the "cute one"  And for some reason...this kind of upset me.

Whenever a guy I have been dating has told me I looked hot that day, I have been flattered.  But for some reason....when its a larger general group...and they are taking about overall, general, all the time?  I am not really flattered.

All "growing up" (meaning my late adolescents and early adulthood) I wanted to be considered "hot".  And now that I may....(that sounds prideful....so I will insert the obligatory) or may not....have achieved that I'm less then satisfied.

"Its like finding out your favorite love song was written about a sandwich."

I'm not saying I don't want to occasionally be considered hot.  But my problem is that this is what I am apparently known for.  I look through my wardrobe and feel like I have nothing that is "pretty".  I go shopping and there is NOTHING that is remotely "pretty".  The world seems to be in the same boat as me.  Stuck in this cycle of attracting people in the wrong way.  Everything is overly accentuated.

I don't want to be thought of as hot.  Or attractive.  Or pretty.  Or gorgeous.  Or adorable.  Or cute.

So your question is...What then, Miss Whiny-Pants, do you want to be thought of as?  How do you want people to see you?

WELL...since you asked.  Lovely.  I want to be lovely.

Lovely is all encompassing.  It means you dress well.  That you are neat and clean and put together.  It means that you carry yourself well.  Lovely means clothes that aren't skin tight or super revealing, but that are flattering.  It means modest...both in the "covered-up" sense, and the "appropriate" sense.  Lovely is confident, but not prideful.
And it involves personality. Lovely people are kind and caring and sweet...mild mannered.
Lovely people have an aura.  People notice them.  And the only word to describe them is...lovely.

So I want to be lovely. I'm not sure how to do it to be honest. I think I'll have to start from the inside out. I have to change my attitudes...and my habits. But in this new year...along with being kinder...I am going to try and be more lovely.

And I am going to use as my muse for this endeavor-MY FAVORITE actress....the epitome of lovely....Audrey Hepburn.

 

Even as she aged....she stayed lovely!

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner...I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."

"The greatest beauty tip: 

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his / her hands through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed, never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others. Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." 

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years. "

The Theory of the Flares

Several years ago I was sitting in Mission Prep with Bro Bott
(A legend at BYU....seriously its more like LIFE prep than Mission Prep...AWESOME!!)

This particular day he was talking about relationships and missions....before, during, and after.
Of course we could go into each...but lets just talk about the one that matters to all the people reading this.  AFTER!!!!  So basically normal relationships that have the possibility of progressing in a normal fashion.

Ever heard of the idea that opposites attract?  Well I would like to debunk that right here, right now. 
Picture it....you are a bookworm who loves to sit in a dark basement playing video games.  Are you attracted to a person who loves to hike and kayak and do other outdoorsy things??  Not really......you would have nothing in common. 

So like attracts like.  Do you know why this is?
Because every person sends out flares...
every day as you walk around campus...work...even the grocery store

(please excuse the Mormon jargon that is about to follow)

You read your scriptures...you send out a "I read my scriptures" flare
You go to church....you send out a  "I go to church" flare.
Prayer flares...treat people kindly flares...pay tithing flares...I have a temple recommend flares...you get the picture.
And its not just habits that fly from your overall hot ball of gas.  Things you like....things you are interested in....views....values...beliefs.  They all come together to shape the "first impression".

So what is the point of these flares you may ask.  Well-you attract people with them. 
You really can tell a lot about a person by their "aura" ....so to speak. 

Haven't you ever had one of those moments when you start up a conversation with someone and realize you are crazy alike?  That is because you subconsciously saw their flares...and they saw yours...and a conversation began. 


So here is the take home message.  You want to attract someone great.  You better send out great flares. 

Basically make yourself great....and you will do just fine. 

(Another disclaimer.....just because you are sending out great flares doesn't mean you will automatically get someone great.  There is timing involved too....this is not an all encompassing theory)


AND....ps.....shout out to Andrew....this theory sounds strangely like one of your "Philosophies of Relationships"  You really should agree to guest blog!!!!  My followers would love to hear from you.  Can't you hear them shouting??  ANDREW ANDREW ANDREW!!!!!   hehe...I'll persuade you sooner or later ;)

I LOVE WEDDINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DRINKS ALL AROUND!!!!!

So...this morning I woke up and got on my Dashboard to see what all my blogosphere friends posted while I slumbered haha....
And I got on Elise's (yes she is prolly right now my number one blog obsession at this moment).  She went to a wedding...caught the bouquet...and fell in love with the videographer.  And now...I have too!

seriously watch this!

Jordan {+} Ansley // Salt Lake Temple Highlights from Chris McClain Productions on Vimeo.

AND THIS!!!

Ansley {+} Jordan // MillCreek Inn // Reception Highlights from Chris McClain Productions on Vimeo.

And so dear Chris McClain...thank you for entertaining me this morning as I have now watched all your Vimeo videos!
Also...be prepared to get a call from me in a few years when my dating luck magically changes and I need to HIRE YOU!!!!!


I love weddings.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!  I'm like that girl from 27 Dresses who reads the wedding articles.  I look at wedding pictures.  And watch wedding videos....of total strangers.  Yes I am a COMPLETE loser/creeper/stalker.
This I know :)

Don't tell my future husband (whomever he may be) but I have our whole wedding planned.  I will CONSIDER his wishes...but prolly ignore them ;)

I have thought this through VERY VERY carefully!  So here is a list....what will be at my wedding and what WON'T.

WARNING WARNING!!!  Its long...sorry!

WON'T HAVE
(disclaimer....I don't diss any of these things if they were at your wedding....they were likely VERY lovely for you...but I can't pull them off!  I'm not cool enough!!!)

1. Organized dancing...the cha cha slide that never ends...the awkwardly uncomfortable conga line....the dorky chicken dance.  sorry...no go!

2. CAKE SHOVING!!!!  Heck if I can get away with it no cake FEEDING.  So lame.  And messy.  If it MUST be done.  Very neatly and very calmly

3. The kissing picture where everyone cheers.  Its just looks silly.  I'm pretty sure MY specific grandparents AND parents won't really be excited to the point of cheering at the prospect of their little girl kissing a boy :)

4. A never ending reception line.  We will come to you...or you can come to us.  But we will be floating (unfortunately I might have to give in on this one...but there will be a TIME LIMIT...that will be FIRM!)

5. Food that I don't like...like those nasty cream puff things.  NO THANK YOU! Also food I don't get to eat.  ALSO NOT OK!!!

6. It will not be in a Cultural Hall.  I am simply not talented to make it not look like a cultural hall.

7. Picture collage invitations.  I want one picture and an invitation.  Sorry family...you will have to stuff  envelopes :)

8. The groom in a light grey or brown suit.  I'm just not hip enough to pull that off  :( ...We are going to need black or dark grey

9. EXTREMES in weather...no cold...no hot......no wind....no RAIN!  (too bad I can't completely control this one)

10. Chocolate fountains.  They are lovely...but a PAIN IN THE BUTT!  Pain to start...pain to maintain...pain to clean.  And often make a HUGE HUGE mess.  You're welcome nice Relief Society sisters who will be in charge of food


WILL HAVE
1. Lots of time.  No RUSHING from place to place!!!!  I'm thinking a Friday afternoon ceremony...Pictures....Friday night dinner....Saturday morning pictures???....Saturday early evening reception  But if it happens all in one day....Lots of time in between!!!!

2.  Cupcakes instead of cake (no forks/cutting required...plus they are cute!)

3. A theme...still to be determined....this one I will have to decide on based on the time/season/groom/location...right now I am thinking something involving LACE and vintage-ness

4.  THIS DRESS!!!!!!

I don't mean to sound prideful....but I have tried this dress on before...and I look better in it then the model :)

This is it in white....not as good as the ivory in my sinful opinion :)
BUTTONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. THIS photographer for engagements......maybe for the temple.....we shall see http://taraphotographics.blogspot.com/

6. CHRIS MCCLAIN THE VIDEOGRAPHER...of course :)

7. Pictures that aren't a ton of people standing in a line.  Depth and dimension!!!

8. Ties that are not solid colors or even necessarily matching...groomsmen will all match.  Fathers will be similar.....Groom will be all on his own

9. My two little sisters and any younger sisters he has in the same dresses...knee length and pretty....not too formal that they cant wear them to church.  Any older sisters potentially wearing something different so that they look their age.....

10. Any friends who can come....same tops...and just a certain color skirt.  So they match but aren't matchy matchy...I'm kinda tempted to not have any one the same....like this one...tempted

LOVE LOVE Sierra's pics...her style and charm are delightful :) love ya sweetie!

11. A shorten father daughter dance.  Its weird when they are out there for 3 whole minutes.  I'll shorten the song :)

12. Colored shoes under my dress...yes fo sho....also fo sho taking them off at the reception

13. DANCING!!!!!!!!!!!  There will be LOTS OF IT! I will be...you will be....it will be EPIC PS there will be at least one song by the BACKSTREET BOYS...don't judge ;)

14. Instead of flower petals....rice...bird seed...bubbles...sparklers.....how about colored flashlights....it will be like leaving a rave ;)

15. A Yummy treat...with our name ALL OVER it for the car ride home....something that matches the theme

16. This hair style!

17. Pearls....not bling

18. One of these temples:
    

19. FUN....I don't want a boring stuffy wedding that I can't wait to leave :)

20. Natural smiles and happiness.  This is the most important.  I don't really care what happens...just as long as my family and my future family are all THRILLED and LOOK IT in the pictures

Linky Party (aka an excuse to trash on the guys in my life hehe)

Elise is gonna do Dear Boys posts EVERY WEEK!!!!
GET EXCITED!!!!!!
I might not have enough boys in my life to link up every week. But I'll get to read Elise's and all the cool people who link up......so :)

And now.....onto the real business of the day!




Dear Old Fling
Glad to have you back.  I didn't figure you to hop back into my life.  Unexpected....but not unwelcomed
Love
Smiley Girl

Dear W
Glad for our talks.....I'll always be around if you need it
Love
Listening Ear

Dear Clark Kent
You have chosen to leave.  That's alright.  I'll always keep the memories. You were there for me many times when I really needed you.  Thanks.  Sorry things could work out the way we had hoped they would.
Love
Suzy

Dear Hoops
Hey Hey!  Fun talks....fun times.  Glad we are friends.  Slow as molasses....very slightly?  NO PROBLEM!  I'm in no rush to jump on that train.
Love
PPP

Dear Peter Pan
You need to grow up.  No more playing around.  You are kinda old to be acting the way you do.  Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust are great...but it can't be everything.  So its time to get a big boy job.  Strike out on your own. Away from mom and dad and the safety of home.  Do you really want to be stuck in Neverland forever?  I know its safe and seems fun.  But its NEVER going to happen for you there.
Love
Wendy....when she is grown up and you come back to hang out with her daughter

Negativity....No Thanks :)

Push play first!





There has got to be some scientific theory that supports the idea that surrounding yourself with something will eventually become a part of you.

Diffusion or something like that.  

When you surround yourself with negativity guess what happens.....you become a pretty negative person yourself.

Here's an analogy....Plants need sunlight...water....good soil.  An overall good environment.  

People are just like plants.  We need good environments.  Surround us with sunlight, water and good soil...we will bloom and blossom and grow.

But something different about us.....plants can't move.  Plants don't have as much control.  We as humans can create a good environment.  We can put ourselves in good soil.  We can make sure we are getting enough sunlight.

These past few months I have noticed that I have been allowing myself...and sometimes even putting myself....into negative environments.  Environments where humor is always at someone else's expense.  Environments where people are not always treated very kindly....where I am not treated very kindly.

And I have let myself be part of this negative environment.  Perpetuating it and allowing it to spread....spread into my life and others.

So I am making a resolution.  I am going to limit the negativity in my life as much as I can  
This is going to mean two things.  I am going to have to stop putting myself in negative environments.  It is going to mean a pretty drastic change in my social life.  But it is going to leave me a better person....

But even more important.  I am resolving to not create or perpetuate a negative environment.  So often I try to create humor out of other's misfortune and at the expense of others.
I've gotten a taste of my own medicine being the brunt of jokes.  And it has to end.  I can't cause others to feel the way I have felt.

Its going to be hard.  And I might not be nearly as funny as I used to be.  And I am going to have to break the habit.  But I'm going to do it!

How about you?  Wanna try it with me?  Just for one day....don't make a single joke at the expense of someone else.  Its HARD!  But sooo worth it!

Its a Day or Two Late...But It Came

You ever seen the Grinch?  Not the live one with Jim Carrey.  The classic cartoon.  Remember how Christmas comes 'without ribbons...without tags....without packages, boxes, or bags"

(skip to the 5 min mark)

This year my Christmas came without many of those things.  And I was a little Grinchy about it.  I didn't have the Christmas spirit. 

But its snowing....its a day and a half late for a White Christmas....but its snowing.  And I am now sitting by the light of the Christmas tree....watching the snow gently fall outside the big glass doors in our living room...blanketing my little corner of the world in white.
And the snow seems to have brought me a little bit of the Christmas spirit too.  Its still not the magical, childlike wonder I had years ago.  (Although I am VERY VERY tempted to go out and play in the snow EXACTLY like a child would!)

A couple weeks ago I talked about having a grown-up Christmas list. 
I guess I have graduated to a grown-up view of Christmas and the Christmas Spirit too.

Tonight I am thinking about love.  I'm thinking about family. 
Presents and treats and decorations and music are all great parts.  But they just are supposed to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. 

I suppose I could go on and on about the love that is intimately and deeply woven into the Christmas story.  But its 3:20 AM.....and I really should be sleeping!

So for now I will just say this.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
(John 15:12-13)

Despite all the emotions this Christmas season has been full of for me.....despite all the trials and emotions and joys the coming year will bring.....He came.  And not a day too late.

"Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world" (3rd Nephi 1:13)

 And He isn't going anywhere. He will be there to celebrate our achievements...and wipe away the tears of our sorrows.

So thanks snow.  I'm glad you came. 
And I'm even more glad a little babe....wrapped in swaddling clothes...with just a manger for His bed...came to save us all.



Pay attention to the end. 

A simple invitation...not with words....with a simple melody...."Come Follow Me....the Savior said"

What Do You Want To Do? I Don't Know

You can be scared. Thats ok But you're not gonna walk away from me cause your scared

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas Blogger People!

I just wanted to hop on real fast and say a quick hello!

I hope your Christmas wasn't like this....

And more like this!


It was a good day for me.....tomorrow I will tell you all about my chat with my brother and the stuff I got and the many adventures this Christmas brought.

Thank you all for your support of me and my crazy rants...and total silly-ness.....
I hope you all continue to read...and if you haven't yet...follow!
And if you have your own blog....tell me about it...cause I would LOVE LOVE to read it
Also keep commenting!  I love to hear from you!


Merry CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

Favorite Things Friday Christmas Edition

MERRY CHRISTMAS BLOGGING PEOPLE!!


Our FOUR DOLLAR Christmas tree

Convincing my mother we should continue our tradition of having a REAL tree

Decorating the tree on Christmas Eve (we kinda procrastinated this year) with my sissys and my mommy

Making Christmas cookies and banana bread... I refuse to touch the peels of course

Planning our HARD CORE caroling trip.  We are talking harmonies...people are going to want to record us...and sell CDs

Having a slightly runny nose....for the 3rd Christmas in a row......(I think I am allergic to Christmas trees... but will that stop me from being a firm member of the real tree coalition in my house?)

Going to the Rising Generation Youth Chorus concert and having flash backs of hundreds of Thursday nights and dozens of cold/hot/long/AMAZING performances

LOO LOO singing the HIGH soprano part :)

Hillary keeping the altos in check...SECTION LEADER :)

GO ANDREW!!!!  Represent the OLDIES :)  

Pardon my trip down memory lane :) 

 

 

 

Hitting one of the high Gs in the Messiah sing-along  (it wasn't pretty...but I hit it!!!!!!)

Singing the Hallelujah Chorus in a room covered in Stars of David.....irony...I think so



Catching one of the choir member "scratching" their nose on video :)  (hey when you are told not to scratch you are psychologically more itchy...its part of the territory)

The fact that it is FINALLY cold.  We aren't going to get a White Christmas :(  But its ok.  At least its kinda winterish

The amount of information I have been getting from Columbia.  I don't even have to be there to "know all"  (not being there does kinda decrease my abilities though....I am prolly still missing important info...SPECIAL THANKS TO MY INFORMANTS!!!!!!!)

Talking with my mother about the Columbia YSA dynamic/drama.  She can totally keep up.  And seriously her reactions are PRICELESS!!!!!

Jay Leno's Good/Bad Caroler----"In Latin!"  hehe

Late night texting conversations with good friends!!!!!!

Taking silly pictures with my sissys  :)

We are the epitome of attractive

To redeem ourselves!!!!!!!!!

A Letter to You

I first want to apologize for the more melancholy nature of this blog lately.
Its been a little short of pith and wit lately!  :)
Don't worry....its just that nothing too funny has happened.  But I am home with my sisters now...something hysterical is BOUND to happen :D


(NOTE!  This was written a few nights ago...but since it was 1 AM, I decided to wait for morning light to "edit")

Anyway...I can't sleep tonight....so I am going to try and get it all out...so I can sleep.  So I can stop tossing and turning...stop replaying everything in my head...stop writing and rewriting all the conversations I want to have.
So here is a letter to you....this is what I want to say...but can't really say....to the person I am thinking about.  Who knows if you read this blog anymore.  But if you do......read away...this post is for you.





Maybe thats a little overly-dramatic.  But dial it down a little bit...and thats where I am.

I don't know what happened.  I don't know if I should call.  I don't know what you are thinking.  Don't know what I did.  Do you hate me for some reason? I'm not sure why you have completely cut me out.
I thought we had something.  You said we did.  You told me a million things.  Were they real lies...or accidental lies?

Can I tell you something?  I'm really not mad.  Which is weird.  I tend to go the bitter angry route.  Its easier usually (not of course productive...but no matter!)
I think the best way to describe this feeling is bewildered...confused...and hurt.

I don't have bad memories of our time together.  Nothing but good ones.....
Remember the time I caught you looking at Red Mango....the time your marshmallow dropped in fire....when you accidentally discovered how ticklish my feet are..how you loved to make fun of my "rules" but always respected them...the look on your face when you walked into the Halloween party...how antsy you were at Stake Conference.

All those good memories.....of course I still want to see you.  I still hope your name will miraculously come up on my caller id.  I still foolishly hope you will show up at some activity or church.

Of course there is a part of me that wants it because I want us to pick up where we left off.  But I know thats not really realistic.  I just want to see you...just so that things end on good terms.  Or at least better than they are now.
I just want to see that you are ok.  That we are ok.

I'll hold on...I'll be around if you want.  Cause I still like you.  And after that...you are still someone I want to be friends with.

You know how to find me.............

Debunking a Theory

Ever heard the Theory of the Champion?

In a tournament they say it is best to lose to the one who is going to win it all.  Of course you were going to lose!  You were playing the one who could beat everyone else!

So that is supposed to make us feel better about losing???

I'm what a former friend liked to call a "Good Luck Chuck"
Meaning...I am a good luck charm for any guy to find his special someone.  Date me for just a week even...and the next girl will be your wife.

Seriously.  I'm good.  I should charge for this.

I should be proud.  I help guys figure out what they want.  Get their heads screwed on straight.  Help prepare them for eternity.  Lofty eh?
You're welcome girls.......


But you know what this is implying.  That I am NOT what they want.  That their heads were sooooo crooked they chose to date me.........

I'm not mad.....just a little miffed.  Ya know?
Some people go with the idea that all those guys weren't ready and couldn't handle the commitment.  But I don't think its that.  Cause they were quite quick to jump into their engagements (1 and 2 months my friends). So its me.......

And so I stand...slightly miffed...in FULL opposition of the Champion Theory.  Cause it isn't that great to lose to the winner of the whole tournament.

Musical Mondays Spotlight: My Christmas Playlist

So today you all can get a little....and I mean a little....taste of what I listen to this Christmas season.

too bad not all of these are on Grooveshark....it makes my playlist slightly less awesome........

These ladies sing like angels!!!!!!!!!

One of my favorite LDS Christmas songs...makes you really think right???

An old leader of mine showed me this the first time.  

Its pretty great to combine the two (Luke 2 and Breath of Heaven)

DAVID ARCHULETA!!!!!!!  One of the GREATEST BESTEST Christmas albums EVER


A little bit of what we all need right?


ACCAPELLA!!!!!!  plus funniness??  AWESOME!!





I love love songs about Joseph


Fun song....I like Glee...don't judge me.


Makes me cry...almost every time!


Pretty pretty for sure


Beautiful...the unknowns are often the best


This one has become a classic!


Again...no judge about the artist....this is one of the best versions of this song


Beautiful


very nice


Cool arrangement EH?


NICE NICE


Good song..you know how I feel about this song!


I listen to this song EVERY EVERY first snowfall.  Great song!


Don't judge me for my liking this song


Love this song...Mannheim Steamrollers reminds me of my brother too


Carpenters...a must for Christmas season!

Where Are You Christmas

I dedicate this post to my lovely Tessa-Britt.  Hugs my lovely!
The other day she talked about how Christmas has become something totally different since we have grown up.
It got me thinking.




Christmas is different now.
Now my list is full of practical things like new scrubs, cooking things, socks, and money for rent.
Now finals come right before Christmas...and its hard to get in the Christmas spirit when you are stressed OUT OF YOUR MIND!

When I lived at BYU it seemed easier.  There were Christmas parties all the time...trips to Temple Square...we started singing Christmas songs in class and church the minute Thanksgiving break was over.  Every corner of every building had a Christmas tree decorated to the nines!  All the trees outside were dripping with lights.  Literally the place was almost VOMITING Christmas.  Many of the apartments in our complex including ours had lights, and trees, and wreaths and stockings and all manner of decoration.
And it snowed.  There is something wonderful about December snow.   Its magical Christmas snow.

This year I had a roommate who really didn't want me to decorate our apartment.  I went to a university much more diverse in its religious background and had little Christmas decoration.  There was no ward Christmas music fireside, Christmas service project and Christmas party.  There were less Christmas movie nights...and no caroling trips that ended with cookies and hot chocolate.


So this year I found myself in a bit of a Scrooge/Grinch mode.  I wasn't feeling Christmas.  It has been missing for me.  That magical romantic wonderful time of year really just isn't there.

Is it because I am old?  Cause I am an adult who has to be all responsible?
Where are you Christmas?  Have I lost you?
I hope not.  I hope its just this year...I hope that this next week before Christmas I will be able to find the wonderfulness I have been missing.

We need a good snow storm.  I need to go caroling.  I need to bake Christmas cookies while boogy-ing to peppy and cheerful Christmas music.

Our House...In the Middle of the Street......

Our awesome ghetto kitchen....at least its functional haha

See this tiny closet??  SOOO not good for me.  I had to get a shoe thing just to have room.
SOO SOO BAD!!!

One side of the room....pictures and school books.....I never have enough room for everything

Window and bed....LOVE LOVE this part of the room haha

My studying corner.  I spend a lot of time here haha

My desk...also spend a lot of time here :)

Our cute little couch....like the pics?  All Steph originals  :)

The other corner of our Living Room

Our little eating space...darling right??