Peace Love and Cupcakes

Save the Lobsters

2012-03-09T07:34:00.010-08:00

Phoebe: Hang in there, it's gonna happen.
Ross: What? Okay, now how do you know that?
Phoebe: Because she's your lobster.
Chandler: Oh, she's goin' somewhere.
Phoebe: Come on, you guys. It's a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life. You know what? You can actually see old lobster couples walkin' around their tank, you know, holding claws like...

I remember when S left on his mission. I was way more sad then I thought I would be...no offense S...Of course Rachel came to my rescue and made sure I wasn't alone that night. (Mom, you and D were in Canada). Rach and I went to play Bunco at one of her friends house and as soon as we walked in the door she introduced me and said "she just lost her lobster for two years today so be nice". I thought this was ridiculous because at the time I swore S would never mean anything more to me in my life except a friend. I did not love him and he certainly wasn't my lobster. How does that cliche go...? You never know what you have till its gone? Be careful what you wish for? S is definitely my lobster...I mean come on lets give the guy some credit. He stood by me through all the weirdos and all the wacko relationships and even the good relationships. He was there through the awkward phase and the biotchy phase. Yes I had one...yes I referred to him as dry toast. Yes he still talks to me. In fact he wants to marry me. So what to do what to do...Do I float in a different part of the tank? This doesn't feel like a solution...it feels like a way to get into some hot water pretty dang fast!

See if you can relate

Ever had one of those weeks where your a dog digging in sand....your trying to bury a bone but your hole keeps filling up? No matter what you do or how hard you dig you can't get that dang bone buried? Well that has been my last couple of days....so much digging and digging! My paws are exhausted and my tail is between my legs. However after I sat down on my haunches, caught my breath I had time to gain some perspective. Why do I want to bury my bone? I love this bone! I want this bone and this bone was definitely a gift so why the heck am i trying to bury it? Ok so weird analogy but its been a rough week....cut me some slack. Lets get down to the marrow....alright so I called off my engagement. It happens. I had good reasons...really good reasons. I mean the boy doesn't have his own car for goodness sake! But no one can look at me the way he can and no one makes me feel the way he does. So....predicament. Or is it? Maybe the best and only options is to decide that trials make you stronger...as an individual and as a couple. Most couples face trials in the first few years of their marriage. Well S and I have been together for so long that we are pretty far along on the getting to know you lets be friends road and we are pretty far along on the facing life's hiccups, deaths, births, sickness, surgery, failure, breakups and freak outs, so I suppose it is our turn to face something difficult together as a unified force. Time will tell but i am not leaving my lobster alone in the tank just yet....after all he would never leave me.

I always here people express how thankful they are for trials and difficult times in their lives. In my head I am thinking yeah right you are just glad its over. Well....I am incredibly thankful for this past week. I have never felt more loved, more supported and more protected than now. I hope and pray everyday that nothing bad touches the lives of those I love but I hope that I can be as good as a friend to CH, E, L, E, D, DA, K, J,A, R.....of course my Mom and Dad. Thanks for coming up and loving me up mom. Thank for the phone calls, love support, and trust that I will make the right decision Dad. Thanks to my sisters of course. Thanks for calling me every hour and praying and crying with and for me. My sisters were not given to me randomly. How lucky am I.

Ok so enough Miss America speak. I changed my major. Surprise surprise except this time its different! I swear! I am officially forever more with no doubt in my mind....drum roll please

An ENGLISH MAJOR!

don't sound so all knowing! come on you did not know that I would eventually come back tot he fold! let me have my moment! I am passionate about words and stories. I am passionate about paper pencils and books. I am passionate about the literacy of the world! AND I JUST WANT WORLD PEACE! But seriously...words can change the world. This is what I love and would like to become good at. No more flip flopping and no more dabbling in other lesser majors....just kidding. Kind of. I am just so thrilled. DOn't even get me started about how happpy I feel to see English Major under my name on my records. I feel sure and steady. Don't worry dad I will Graduate! at some point hahaha.

Alright so here's the plan. Study like crazy to end this semester really well. Come home this summer and spent time with my nieces and Jack and Delaney and Rachel and live at home with my parents. No that is not a negative comment. have you met them? I am way physched! Also on the agenda....some form of dance class, tanning, and continuing to build a relationship with my Lobster. Sounds good right?
My story isn't over yet.

xoxo
co

Pound It

2012-02-27T17:13:00.006-08:00

So today Lovely Mother Nature came for a visit and left me in the fetal position for an hour or three so I may have over dosed on caffeine. It was necessary considering my pending ASL midterm that day. Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen...Midol is the amazing concoction that gives me the energy I need when I can no longer stand...literally. So...thank you Mother M. Anyway...So I had this midterm and I had yet to actually shower today because I had been studying and writing ALL day long! So I quickly "got ready" and And say farewell to facebook. But as I was leaving FB i noticed that my sister had posted a you tube video of the Piano guys.I had TOTALLY forgotten about these guys so thanks Eeea for the rediscovery. My all time favorite song in the whole world is Somewhere Over the Rainbow and the Piano Guys have an amazing version of it. They mashed it with simple Gifts. But I couldn't find it so I will share this one. It kinda Cracks me up.

This is dedicated to Matthew and Connor.

Sweet isn't it? I thought so too
Anyway...I have been listening to the Piano guys play somewhere over the rainbow/simple gifts over and over today and it got me thinking about my Simple gifts.
1. Midol...very important
2. Cousins who bring me warm homemade Swedish bread
3. Co-workers/friends/bridesmaid who takes my shift at work so that I could study
4. A sweet Fiance who writes me love letters because he knows my dream couple is John and Abigail Adams. He also knows how much I love letters in general.
5. My mother who is planning my wedding. Its a HUGE job and she is doing it so so well
6. My Dad who will answer my phone calls just to chat with me about my life and his life...even if I have already called two times that day
7. For my sisters. Each one is amazing and a gift....especially this week. Karlea found my bouquet, Rachel is my life planner, And Delaney who always hey-tells me back and is always so happy and fun to talk to.
8. Chinese women who quickly made my wedding dress and shipped it to me a whole month early! Put your hands in the air!
9. Putin's safe delivery from the assination attempt on his life! get it together Ukraine!
10. Hot water....sounds silly but literally helped my life today

Now lets analyze somewhere over the rainbow....I love this song because every time I hear it I can't help think of life over this trial and life over this test and life over this sickness or life over this midterm! There is always a better place full of munchkins and floating bubbles after the hard bits of life. Not that the hard bits are worthless but just not as good as the giant lolly pops and Ruby red shoes....the hard bits are the flying monkeys and angry apple trees. Sometimes you just have to find the key so that the guy at the gate will say well that's a horse of a different color and let you into OZ aka the happy place. Not sure if any of this makes sense but I guess my point is that there is good in every day that looks like a dark scary forest full of Lions and tigers and bears...OH my!

So if my Wizard of OZ analogy didn't do it for you then here is my next set of crazy....if all else fails then put on a Zumba song and pound the pavement home from work. I literally used 700 East as my personal runway this evening and the world seemed so beautiful and perfect...even is Gasolina was blasting in my ears.

I even had the perfect amount of cold Utah Winter Gust for the wind blown look! So count your simple gifts, Walk like a model and if all else fails take two midol and write a blog post.
xoxo
co

Red Hott

2012-02-14T11:40:00.000-08:00

if you know me well then You are aware of my Valentine's Day obsession. I don't know when it started but if I had to guess I would have to say second of third grade. My mom always made such a big deal out of it. It started with cream of wheat with red hearts in it and progressed to waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. She also threw some amazing tea parties in my growing up days. Now I start thinking about it as soon as red and pink invade the grocery stores. To this day I still carry on a few traditions that my mom started such as cream of wheat and eating chocolate all day however I have a few of my own now. I heart attack Scott every year without fail...even on his mission he got heart attacked. I also make sure to watch a romantic sappy chick flick before I go to bed. Wearing red is not optional and covering myself in glitter....well I do that anyway but I fit in better on Valentine's day...and halloween. I hated in high school when people would wish me Happy singles awareness day...really ticked me off. Even if you are single that is no excuse not to celebrate love. There's just not enough of it inthe world. So Happy Valentine's day. Go eat some chcolate.

xoxo
co

Pass the cheese for my Whine

2012-01-29T12:16:00.000-08:00

I want my mother. More specifically I want the instruction manual she has of how to do everything and keep it together. I'm not trying to whine...ok maybe I am. I would like to start out this whine tasting on a positive note. I love my life right now. i love my schedule, my friends my time, and the rush I feel of having something to do every single day. I love all the new friends I have made. The girls at work are superb and we essentially are a huge family of sister friends. I love them all. Ok but lets just talk about the logistics of life. Essentially I live on campus or at work. I like it that way. I love being as busy as I am. I was just promoted at work and classes are going great and wedding plans are moving forward. However each one of these activities requires full attention, effort, and spirit. recently I have lost the time and spirit to clean; the kitchen my room the kitchen my clothes, the kitchen and my car. I need a day to just take care of these small matters of hygiene. It's called a mental health day right? well I need like three of them. I need a day for cleaning a day for planning and a day to lay on my floor and do nothing. That would be lovely. Except last night my amazing work sisters and I went out for dinner. I haven't laughed that hard or felt that carefree in a long time. I spent two hours not thinking about lists and things to do. It was lovely. I am surrounded by lovely caring people. All the way from roommates who probably hate my guts but none the less cleaned the whole house yesterday without me to my work sisters to katie who will always be my go to friend from years gone by to Christine who always seems to know when I need a cupcake and of course my own sisters. I don't feel like it is necessary to qualify my time to all of these people of explain to them what I do everyday and why but I appreciate the support and help that I am getting this semester as I plan to complete and conquer this semester.
So please raise your glass and clink to a messy busy four months ahead!
CHARGE!
xoxo
co

Heart Center

2012-01-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

I have this amazing friend Named Erin....she makes me go to yoga two or three times a week. The thing is...I really really love it. I always leave class feeling amazing...still craving ice cream but I feel good. I am pretty sure it is making me stronger as well. Not like I am trying to achieve a six pack by May or anything although that would be nice. Anyway....At the end of the practice you go into a pose called savasana which means corpse. It is meant to be a state of total relaxation. Not exactly a meditation but almost. In tonight's practice the thing that I ended up thinking about the most was the phrase heart center. This is an actual yoga term but being me I analyzed it and contemplated on my hearts center. Not going to lie but the thing that came to my mind first was the Valentines day York heart candies....they are pink inside and I LOVE them. After i stopped thinking about rich dark chocolate covering a gooey soft pink minty center I thought about my center. I thought about the things that make up the core of who I am and the things that are most important to me. First I thought about my religion and how important it is to me. I guess everything else about me stems from what I believe in a spiritual sense. Next I thought about my family...especially my sisters. I know I talk about them all the time but they are seriously my hearts center. When I am feeling off balance I know that they will ground me. My Parents are the best example to me because they have always made me feel like I can always do whatever I believe I can. As part of my family I thought about Scotty and how wonderful he is. Being engaged has been so much fun. Yes we have been engaged for a very long time by Mormon standards but I have loved every minute of it. People keep telling me how much they hated being engaged....I think we can both agree that we are enjoying our continuing journey that began so long ago. After that I immediately thought about words....sounds broad but not to me. You know the old cliche "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me"...? ok seriously? someone said that and thought ooh that's pure logic and for the rest of forever people will say it. Got to be one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. Words are the most powerful weapon we have. Whether being used for good or bad....words have the biggest effect...at least on me. My mom always worried I would fall in love with someone based on what they said to me. I have to admit that starting out dating this might have happened once or twice. So since words are so important to me I want to spent the rest of my life dedicated to words. I honestly just want to write a book or two or ten. Everyday I come up with a new idea for a book. However I feel like writing is a job. The best job but work none the less. I don't have time to spend three hours dedicated to writing right now even though I think its the most important thing I could be doing.
After this though my wandered to grapes and huge fruit platters so I will end here. I came to the conclusion though that God, Family, and words made up my center. Not exactly pink mint goo but I'll take it. In a way though I think I may be like the center of a York Valentine's Day heart. I'm a girl who likes life when things stick together and flow into a harmony of peace and consistency. Just like the center of a York. I think its important to ponder whats at the center of us whether it be caramel chocolate truffle or nuts.
Namaste Bloggers
xoxo
co

P.S. I feel sooo Balanced Right Now

Letters From Frank

2012-01-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

My Mom is essentially planning my wedding. I gave her a basic structure and let her run with it and she is doing such an amazing job. I like to refer to her as "My Frank". Basically we are planning this wedding via email. Emails will start out "Notes from Frank" Or Love Frank or Love you sweet girl mom. That's how I know when we are talking about life or the life of my wedding. I just want to give a cyber hug to all girls who had to plan their weddings alone or away from their mothers. It's hard stuff. Last Saturday I was having a little iceberg meltdown moment when I became over whelmed by my list. Scott kept texting me helpful antics like what cha doin can I come see you lets hang out...my response? I CAN"T SEE YOU TILL MAY I AM BUSY PLANNING YOUR WEDDING!!!!! GRRRRR. His response? Well give me some of your list and I will help. Ok Scott you can either keep searching for bridesmaid dresses my shoes or a photographer....I texted sarcastically. Next thing I know my inbox is full of pretty pink shoes scott has found. I love him. Needless to say we did hangout that night.

I feel like my life is somewhat consumed with weddings. I am a bridal consultant at Lauren James Bridal and Formal. I love my job but I am turning into a pink loving ruffle fluffing bow tying mush of a girl. Things I thought I would never do like wear a wedding dress and search itunes for romantic songs are now becoming my go to activity. Lucky for me I have Erin to entertain me during yoga.

A little over three months left! I know...I can't believe it either!

xoxo
co

Thoughts and Randoms from the Human Popsicle

2012-01-11T20:19:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it is 2012. Where did 2011 go? Even more so...I turned 21 yesterday! whats is up with that? I remember when I was born...ok not really but so many people told me that yesterday that I feel like I remember when I was born. I don't know what it is about January but it's like I have an alarm clock inside of me that rings at the stroke of midnight January first that screams "YOU ARE HOMESICK!!!" I don't know why this happens to me. I start feeling the need to call a sister or my mom or my dad at least once a day. I may even use the line "Hey saw that you called...sorry I missed it whats up?" They respond by saying "didn't call you babe sorry" I don't ever like to sound as desperate as I actually am to hear their voices. This January has been especially difficult for me because I know it is the last January I have until I am no longer a me and an I. Next January I will be an us and a we. In a sense I feel like my childhood is coming rapidly to an end. Not sure how I feel about this. This will be the last year my mom makes my stocking, the last year my parents will send me a box for my birthday....I have four months. Do I sound like I am getting executed in four months? Not what I am trying to convey at all. I am getting married by choice. No one is making me. Except Scott does have this smile that pretty much makes me forget whatever I am currently thinking so who knows haha. Nah I really love him and can't wait to become a we and an us. I feel like I talk about marriage all day long. I got a job as a bridal consultant at Lauren James Bridal this semester. If you are wondering what the heck is that then just go watch Say Yes to the Dress. That is what I do....and I love it. I don't mean to toot my own horn but I am pretty good at it. I also work with a bunch of girls that I instantly fell into like with. When no one is in the store it is basically a massive girl party...except we are surrounded by chocolate and ball gowns tiaras and love songs. It is the best. Sometimes when life is swirling around me I can't wait to go to work. It is like being in the eye of the storm. I love being at work. How many of you can say that eh? Hmm other milestones of the new year. Scott and I are trying to find a place to live...NOT EASY! Any suggestions are welcome. I have too many things to think about so I just let Scott handle it...however the kid lived in Uruguay for a while so I like it when he runs his "great finds" by me hahaha. I love how excited he is and how involved he wants to be with the wedding plans. Someone should be. People ask me how the plans are going...my response?...ask Franc aka my Mother. (If you don't understand the reference please go watch Father of The Bride STAT) She is doing such an amazing job. She gives me weekly tasks and that's really all I worry about. I should be worrying about getting to the gym so I can show face at my wedding but there never seems to be time for that these days. I love my schedule though. i love having places to be and people to see. People I don't see enough of though....my roommates! Jessica Royce and Mayla! and of course Scott. I keep telling myself that there will be a time in life for late lunches with the girls making cookies with Jess and watching a whole movie without falling asleep with Scott. Don't know when that is but praise Allah it will happen. I have been waiting to talk about this since Thanksgiving and I feel like it is Kosher now. My dear dear friend Mekeli is going on a mission. I am so incredibly proud of her. She is striking out on her own and dedicating 18 months to the Lord. I know she will be an amazing missionary. Hailey and I may be in a rut for a while but at least we have each other. Thank goodness for Hailey is all I can say. I am incredibly lucky. I didn't think I would come to that realization after some rough spots this week but tonight I feel so Lucky. My Cousin had a baby tonight. Baby Betty. She is so beautiful and perfect. I loved holding her. Mayla (her 17 month year old daughter) and I came home so she could go to bed so I had an hour of complete stillness to gather my thoughts and write them down. Thank goodness for the quiet. It doesn't happen much these days. Just to be able to sit and type, listen ting tot he hum of my computer and stroke of the keys is so soothing. I wish I had more nights like these. I hope to be around this blog more in the upcoming weeks. Hugs and Kisses to you all.
xoxo
co

Socks in My TOMS

2011-12-08T09:17:00.000-08:00

It is so cold in Utah. NO SNOW!!! if it is going to be this cold outside then the least mother nature could do is let it snow on me...shivering in my sixty-five layers of clothing.

The past two weeks have been fuzzy. Literally. Not only do I wear three pairs of fuzzy socks everyday but I have a cold. I head cold a nose cold a lung cold....a toes cold. hehehe. You know that feeling when your head feels congested? Not my favorite thing in the world. I have spent every free moment in bed. No big deal finals next week right? I can afford to sleep. Bah hahahaha.

However I am in love so everything seems to be ok even if I feel like I have resurrected the plague. Scott is pretty fabulous. I am a lucky girl. The wedding actually feels like more of a reality now that I have a dress. By the way....wedding dresses love me. Trying on wedding dresses was so much fun. I had a hard time choosing. I got to go with my mom for the first two days and we had so much fun together. That experience is something I will always remember. After i had narrowed it down to four dresses I brought in the panel of judges. That was so much fun. I am lucky to have so many people in my family who are interested in what I wear. Thank you sister....and thank you dad and brothers for watching all the kiddos.

I am so excited for Christmas. I can't wait to go home and sleep in my bed. i can't wait to go shopping with Delaney. I can't wait to go on the traditional Hailey and Mekeli Christmas Eve shopping trip. I can't wait to see all my nieces and Nephews. can't wait to cuddle with Rachel. Can't wait to watch movies with Karlea. I love everything about this season. It is easier to be kinder, easier to gain ten pounds and not feel bad about it, easier to think of others, easier to focus on Christ. I love it. I am counting down the days.

Anyway...that concludes my random thoughts of the morning. Hey...I have to find some way to make it through this ridiculously challenging COMD class with a professor who shall remain anonymous.

xoxo
co

Hear You Me

2011-11-16T16:58:00.000-08:00

ASL has become my favorite part of the week. I LOVE it. I love that I don't have to conjugate verbs or try to master an accent. I love using my hands and face to express what I mean. Today a friend and I went to an ASL conference at UVU. We were blown away by how little we actually knew. In class we feel pretty proficient but out there in the real unhearing world...we are quite silly. We deserve to made fun of. We were oogling over this cute Deaf guy who was a few feet away signing away. We planned out E****'S* wedding with this very attractive stranger in sign and words. After talking about their beautiful future children we noticed his hearing aid. Oops. We still decided to become frequent UVU. There is diversity and culture there! New study place? I think yes.

I am coming home soon! So excited to see my family....and my dog. I feel more anxious than normal to come home this time. My number one priority for this trip home? Find a wedding dress. I feel so bad for my sweet mama. I must send her a "new Dress-love of my life" sixty five times a day. Stupid Pinterest. I have never really been one to plan out specifics for my wedding so now that I actually need to...its hard not to flip flop back and forth from idea to idea. I can be nailed down on a few things though. The dress just isn't one of them. I am so nervous. I am scared of a dress. How hilarious is that? I know my mom will read this and completely understand because I know that planning a wedding with me has been one of her biggest fears for a few years now. I just have pictures in my head. I can see how I think it should be. I have done my best to open my mind and suppress every romantic notion I have and just go with a flo. So far so good. Probably because I know my mom is working so hard to stay with in the Glossy Painted picture I created for her. She rocks. Like she really just does.

Nothing else is too new in my life Other than insane tests that should come with an ice cream sundae and box of tissues. Which would be great except not since I am trying to at least maintain my curvaceous figure for the purpose of pictures and horrifying white dresses to come.

Sometimes I tell Scott we should just elope. We could wear jeans. i look great in my jeans. hahaha. He is so patient, kind and charming. Plus he thinks I'm hilarious which makes me incredibly happy. I always said I wanted to marry someone who was funny. I had that all wrong. I just need someone who thinks I'M funny. Way to be Scotty.

I have been getting lost in some wonderful fiction lately. I would have to describe everything I have read lately as pure "fluff". I just finished reading the Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen aka my author hero who I secretly think I look like. I read this book in two days. I couldn't put it down. I have this best friend....which is just not even the right term to describe the relationship we have always had. In junior high people described us as inseparable. We finish each other's sentences, and I know that she would kick tail end for me if need be...because she has. Anyway...I read this book and it felt like reading about our relationship. Not exactly of course but as we have had our ups and downs in friendship it was like reading a very romantic version of our story. Full of death and lovers and mystery. Well, Kricket and I never killed anyone...yet but we have had our share of love and mystery. Everyone should read it...just for fun. Then when you get done that book read her others. They are just so colorful. I feel like she is writing about me. I know that seems self centered but this is after all my blog and when I read fiction of course the heroine represents me. DUH!

Sigh...fun things keep getting in the way of my homework assignment that is due tomorrow. Goodnight blogging world

xoxo
co

Sparkly Glittery Fabulousness

2011-10-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

You are my anyway friend an anyway friend is the one person in your life who, no matter what they say or do, no matter what they've been through with you, they love you anyway.

I consider myself to be the luckiest girl ever to be in love. I am engaged to my best friend. He and I have been friends since we were eleven years old. It all started at the ward Christmas party when he broke my candy cane and ran away so naturally I ran after him. We have been running after each other ever since. Scott is the friend I would call after a bad day or a really good day. He is the one I told about my dates the good the best and the awful. When I tried out for cheerleading he brought me cookies. He knows all my quirks and I like to think I know all of his. I spent a lot of time swearing I would never marry him. Partly because I didn't think stories like this were actually true and partly because he is my best friend and a "Wardy". The night he got home from his missions I saw him through my front door window and just knew...he's the one. I knew instantly that I would marry him and it was basically love at first sight. The butterflies in my stomach went crazy and I literally went weak in the knees. We started dating that night and have been together everyday since. People keep commenting on how fast we went. Three months and we are already engaged! Those people just obveiously don't know our history. we have been together for years.

Alright enough Bla bla here's the story!

We went to the symphony Friday night. Scott is the kind of guy who would move heaven and earth to make sure I am happy. He heard he mention how badly I wanted to see the utah symphony this semester and surprised me with tickets. It was so much fun to get all dressed up. After the performance was over Scott suggested we go on a walk. I was a little bit leery being in heels after all. We went anyway. We are pretty famous for our weekly walks so why not right? he started leading me towards the temple when it dawned on me.....is he proposing? IS HE PROPOSING IN FRONT OF THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE? oh no....i'm gonna have to say no and push him in the pond if he thinks i'm that cheesy! luckily he knows me better than I give him credit for. We walked to the horses and carriages and told me to pick one and get in. I love horses so he was two for two that evening. We rode through Memory Park. I figured that any second he would stop the carriage and get out and propose. He never did and soon we were on our way back to the Temple. I decided he really was just feeling spontanious and would propose at Thanksgiving. All of a sudden he turned to me and said I just can't be patient anymore.....he asked me to marry him. I threw my arms around him, said yes, and he slipped this on my finger.....

I couldn't be happier and simply cannot wait to be with my very best friend in the whole world.

Rewind, Pause, Fast forward

2011-10-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

I feel like I haven't blogged in a while. Nothing new has happened in my life...lots of the same rinse cycle repeat days but hey...those needs to get reported as well.

I am still going to school at BYU studying Communication Disorders. At the beginning of the semester I really loved it...now midterm I'm wishing I was on my way to teach third grade. I remember third grade SO well. I loved third grade. Then I realized the main reason I want to teach third grade is because I want to assign journal topics conduct feather circles and most importantly read to them after lunch from all my favorite books. Probably not a good reason to switch my major again eh? Don't worry mom I'm not switching. I have deduced that I have No idea how to study for my classes. I read the material again and again and talk about it with girls in my classes....but that's pretty much all you can do. I'm a little bit frustrated by it all. However the one class that I still love is ASL. I think it is the coolest language ever. I have so much fun practicing and learning new words. I'm not sure if I have time to pursue it into ASL 102...plus BYU doesn't have a very good programme as is but I hope that signs and ASL is something that I will teach my children. The one thing I am missing this semester is an English class. I miss my women's lit class so much. I see some of them on campus and I feel like we have an invisible bond. I will probably have to try to take a literature class in the Winter. I also miss that big circle of smart humans who could tell me what to read!
***side note***
what should I start reading now? Has anyone read the midnight circus? HELP ME!
What else is new....I am currently trying to sell my Contract for my apartment. Not because I can't stand my roommates. I LOVE my roommates but because I want to move in with my cousin Jessica and Royce. Jess has basically become my best friend. If we haven't talked in a day then life is just too busy so we figured this could be remedied by me moving in. Good idea huh?
I almost bought a cello yesterday. It was just a $350 student cello but I'm a student I want a cello and that's about the max I could spend! I didn't buy it though. I am still Cello-less. The dream lives on. I will full fill it eventually.
Rachel's Birthday is tomorrow. I keep thinking how sad it is that I'm not there...makes me sad. What makes me even more sad is Scarlett is turning four on November first and I can't even think about that. I just wish I could apparate. That would be SO helpful! I could zap here and there. Anyway....back to Rachel my fabulous sister, I will most likely make her a cake in honor of her being born so come over tomorrow and have cake with me but you will have to listen to me blubber on about how wonderful my sister is and don't worry...I will tell you my Rachel stories. Sigh...good times. Love you Gosho.
On Friday I am being escorted to the symphony in Salt Lake by my sweet boyfriend. About a month and a half ago I mentioned that I needed to start watching tickets because that was something I wanted to go to and lo and behold...he went out and got tickets. We are going to a play next weekend too. We are a very cultured couple. I love that he got tickets to something other than a movie. Also...I get to dress formal. How fun is that?
Well that takes care of the then now and when.
If you didn't get enough of me in this post then check out the blog I Co write with my mom Pinterlust......can you guess what its about?
xoxo
co

The Nordstrom Who Stole Christmas

2011-10-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

I love applying for Jobs at Nordstrom. I ALWAYS check and I ALWAYS apply for them. Even though I have no retail experience and there is no reason for them to hire me I still have this Need to work there. Well I gota call back! I was so excited. I had three amazing interviews. Not only did I have amazing interviews but my work availability was pretty awesome. I can work Monday Wednesday Friday and Saturday. Seriously I was so thrilled because I figured there was NO WAY i would not get hired. I interviewed with the BP manager. The day after she called me and told me that she needed someone to work everyday but especially tuesday thursday but that she would talk to all the managers in the store because I had such an amazing interview and I obviously needed to be part of the "Nordstrom Team". So today the Human Resource Lady called me and offered me a job in the jewlry and accessories department...uhm hello that would be perfect. Too bad I wouldn't be able to come for Christmas at all. Sad story. I am now listening to angry rocker chick music jumping around my kitchen working it out. Such a Christina Moment...where is my Meredeth? nWishing my sisters were her. But what else is new.

Fall has Fallen

2011-10-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Claire, "What" and "If" are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: What if? What if? What if? I don't know how your story ended but if what you felt then was true love, then it's never too late. If it was true then, why wouldn't it be true now? You need only the courage to follow your heart. I don't know what a love like Juliet's feels like - love to leave loved ones for, love to cross oceans for but I'd like to believe if I ever were to feel it, that I will have the courage to seize it. And, Claire, if you didn't, I hope one day that you will. All my love, Juliet

this is obviously from Letters to Juliet. I watched that the other night, and yes Larlee Charlie does walk like a duck, but I still love this movie. Naturally my career of choice has changed and I want nothing more than to sit in a room of lovely Italian women answering heart felt pleas for guidance and advice. I loved that Claire still went after her Lorenzo after all their years apart. I love that love doesn't always necessarily die after a long separation. I love stories where love conquers reality. It seems to be a rarity in our doubting reality loving world. I just want to spend the rest of my life writing sapppy letters. Is that really so much to ask?

"Whatever happened to chivalry? Does it only exist in 80's movies? I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. Just once I want my life to be like an 80's movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason. But no, no, John Hughes did not direct my life."

It must be the sudden weather change that is melting me into a puddle of romantic sappiness....because its happening. Suddenly I am making the girl sound at couples kissing on campus....uhm ew? Who am I? Then i realized that I am one half of a couple who kisses on campus. The other half shall remain anonymous for now. Anyway....I use to be classified as an outword romantic....over the years I have done my best to keep my romantic views inward or on this blog...or just expressed to my mother. Well Its coming back out and I intend to embrace all the romantic notions I can. Life is more fun this way. Romance is not dead...at least not in my life. Plus I am so easily romanced. I walked to school today in the wind and felt romantic. What I think I am trying to say life is too short not to accept the everyday classic novel moments of life. I know I am
So here is to romance
Here is to wind
here is to fall
here is to rain
here is to swings
here is to ducks
here is to trees
here is to grass
here is to rainbows and butterflies and kissing in the rain and black and white photos and holding hands and notes and letters and puppies and stolen glances.

xoxo
co

Underwear Is a Basic Human Right

2011-09-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

I have never really been someone who enjoyed shopping. I think it is a depressing activity that usually leaves me and everyone in my path in a foul ugly mood. My experience has been that shopping leads to the mean reds. (If you don't understand this reference don't talk to me until you have watched Breakfast at Tiffany's). Anyway....Lets just be frank. I want things. Lots of things. I want to shop and I want to not stop. I could make a list longer than me. When did this happen? I can't go into any store without wanting like ten things. Now....this pretty much excludes clothes. I want jewelery and makeup and underwear and dishes and butter dishes pillows couches art shoes....colored pencils. What has gotten into me? I am not allowed to get into my car because driving = a destination which equals money spent on things I don't really need. Amazon is my new enemy. I had to take my account off. I just want books and movies....it seems so cheap until you order like five things. The Internet has become another hazardous place for me. But just in case you were thinking you needed to send me a care package or spoil me with random gifts here is my short list.
MAC makeup...I am in desperate need of new makeup but MAC calls to me.
FRY boots
Sparkly chunky jewelery
A butter dish
A rice cooker
movies
nail polish
mixing bowls
Victoria Secret sweat pants/yoga pants
This awesome tube band bra from gap
Awesome socks
A red beach cruiser
yoga pants
tennis shoes

Ok So I sound like a complete spoiled brat....because I am so so blessed and have tons and so much excess but someone needs to help me get over my wanting....I blame pinterest. It is an axis of evil that spurs on coveting and envy....and ingratitude.
So here is my current grateful list
New shoes
amazing roommates
Sisters
Jessica and Mayla
Email so I can talk to my mom all day
Awesome dad who can fix my laptop all the way from Mesa
Smart phones
my grill pan
my health
The fact that I finally settled on a major
Ruby blue aka my Tahoe
Utah in September
Lunch with Katie
the mountains
My gym membership
Cocoa Bean
Mekeli
Green Grass
Books

I feel a little bit better now about my coveting/wanting problem. Any help and or advice and or care package full of MAC would be most appreciated! I love you all
xoxo
co

The Versatile Blogger Award

2011-09-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend Allie Davis from The Best is yet to come Nominated me for this blogging award! I am so pleased that people enjoy reading about my life, thoughts, and silliness. To complete this nomination I will share seven hopefully unknown facts about myself.

1. I am a Heels Over Head Romantic
If you know me then I know you are thinking Duh Collett I have met you before...come up with something a Little bit more original. Well even if you don't know me I am pretty sure you don't realize the extend of my romantic soul....unless of course you are Mrs. Udall or my Mother. In every situation I am in or about to be in I Write an entire story in my head of how this situation should pan out. I pick my characters from within the setting and run with it. I have planned out every birthday, every date, every run in with a cute stranger, every sorrow...before it has actually happened. At first this made reality very disappointing to me. Nothing ever goes according to the wonderfully tragic notions that my wild imagination has concocted. Over the years though I have used this to Twist reality around my finger and subject it to the wiles of my thoughts and romantic ways. I feel like my life has a wonderful twist of romance fate and serendipity everyday even if the normal eye can't spot it.

2. Puppy Love
I love animals. I usually don't broadcast this around because growing up I thought the girls with the puppy folders and horse t shirts were a little weird....because my wardrobe of overalls in every color fabric and length wasn't. It is true though. I Would drop any plans I had to ride a horse or play with puppies. I love baby pigs and cows. I love the smell of farms and wet dirt. There is something so comforting about an animal. I feel like they are the most innocent souls on the earth. I feel very protective of them. I long for a baby elephant as a pet. I MUST have a yellow lab named Brinkley. In my lifetime I want to swim with dolphins, sharks, have an unusual pet, ride an elephant, and make a long trip on a horse. I think going to the zoo is wildly exciting but I always feel guilty and sad seeing the animals in caged "habitat" enclosures. Anyway...I have my own secret collection of puppy folders in my drawer.

3.Pins and Post its
I love school supplies. I feel there is something very magical about Fall. Target also becomes a new place of wonder. I love the smell of paper new pencils and perfect composition notebooks. I have an indescribable sense of excitement when I open a new notebook and hear the binding crackle. Weird I know But I love it. I also have a huge post it collection. I hate using them because I will be sad when they are gone So I only use them for special notes, special people, or exciting information. I know that post its aren't hard to find or buy more of but I worry about the paper in our world and I fear it will soon become extinct. I like maps. I always have a map somewhere close always. The bigger the better. I have white pins stuck all over my big one indicating the places I have seen...and blue pins representing basically the rest of the world. My map is a collage of white and blue pins representing hopes dreams and goals.

4. April 24
My idea of a perfect date would be Going out for dinner in a restaurant that is quiet so that intimate conversation could happen. Then I would think it heavenly to be set loose in Barnes and Noble for hours walking down every aisle writing down new finds and discussing old favorites. I wouldn't A yogurtland run either....but anything involving Barnes and Noble is high on my list. There never seems to be time set aside to simply wander around a bookstore with absolutely no time limit, no schedule, no rush, and nothing else to steal your attention.

5. Keep calm and Eat a Cupcake
Ok ok ok so this is not new information at all....but I feel like there isn't a problem big enough that cake can't ease the pain of. I love to bake. If I had money to spend willy nilly I would open my own cupcake Bakery. I have the name picked out, the logo, the menu, and most importantly the gimmick that will set it aside from every other cupcake store. I try to make something new every week. It doesn't always happen. Sometimes I just talk about what I Should make. Some people play an instrument, write in their journals, talk to a friend, or go for a walk to unwind from stress. I bake. Late at night, early in the morning, or right smack dab in the middle of my day. Cake makes me happy. If you turn your problems into something else, cover it in chocolate and then eat it...life is better, the problem is smaller, and life goes on.

6. "I could no sooner Choose a Favorite Star in the Heavens"
~Ever After~
Books are my greatest treasure. I don't have near enough and I will never feel satisfied until I feel as If I have a substantial library full of all the greats, the classics, the memorable, and the ones that have changed my life. I am not happy with a book unless I feel it has altered me in some way. There is nothing I find more comforting in this world than relating to a character in a book feeling how I feel, struggling my struggle, fighting my fight, Or falling in love the way I dream of. My best friends aren't real, and some of my role models belong to the imaginary state as well. I have been told that this is a negative...that reading is bad for me and will make me unsatisfied with reality. To this I giggle because Of course I have a grasp of reality...I just alter it the way I see fit.

7. This I believe
I believe that with time, goals, hard work, and chocolate all things can be accomplished. I want to write a book. I know I say this all the time....But this is what I dream about. I don't even care if it gets published or if nobody read it....But For my life to feel complete I need to check this one thing off my bucket list. I could almost erase everything off that list and put all my pennies in this one dream. I have ideas. I have outlines. I just need an hour everyday to sit in Mrs. Snyders classroom and write. I was able to write so well in that room. I need to find a new place to feel that same energy. Someday....It will happen.

That was so much fun to talk about myself! I know that this whole blog is dedicated to me and I write about myself in every post but this was truly enjoyable. I suggest you all take the time to write out seven things that you feel are importnat about you. I love writing this blog but I alos enjoy reading many others. I tag Karlea Carruth, Christine Marie, Emily Peterson,Hannah Greenbburg, and Leslie Ward. I love these blogs dearly and can't wait to see what they write.

Hello Boys

2011-08-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

Last week was Insane. If someone had told me that last week was going to happen I would have stayed in bed. I went to the dentist on Monday. I love going to the dentist. He tells me I am a goddess. I LOVE the dentist! But now the dentist in tainted because I am pretty sure they gave me strep throat and a virus that gives you ulcers all over your tonsils and throat. So much pain! I named several things I would have rather had wrong with me. Broken arm, loss of a finger, UTI, or possibly birth. But no, instead I had ulcers in my mouth and strep. But I was also still hangin with Rachel and my girls. It was our last week. ***Side note*** Becoming attached to your sister and her kids is great and one of the best things that can happen to a girl but then when you have to leave them...it feels like someone broke your heart. Its the worst. I don't recommend ever leaving your sister. Anyway come Friday I just was useless to anyone and everyone so Mom worked my shift at Rachel's and I ran errands. At one thirty I went to get my hair cut. Keep in mind I had a temperature of 101.2. Sherry Perry (she works at a salon called PLUSH and I totally recommend her. she is so GREAT!) was blow drying my hair. I could feel myself overheating and feeling very ill. I walked over to the counter to pay, held out my card and then the next thing i know is I am lying on the floor of the salon. Apparently I passed out face first. I told them I was fine and not to worry so I stood up held out my card again. Next thing I knew I was lying on the ground again. Apparently I swooned the other direction this time. There were about five worried hair stylists crowded around me. By the way...if you decide to swoon in public then do it in a salon. Some of the nicest most calming people to be around when faint and swoonie (yes this is a word). I also noticed that the manager was calling 911. I have an intense fear of going to the hospital. I quickly called my mom and Rachel to get there quick. I said "Rachel...I got you the best going away present. The firemen are coming to save me hurry come quick!" and she did of course because she is my person and that's just what your person does. I deal with fear with humor so when the fire truck arrived...lights and all...followed closely by the ambulance I made a game plan. I was going to make every single one of them laugh. So as they walked in I said Hi boys! So glad you could come! Look girls the boys are here. Another piece of advice....firemen are great people...and very gentle with soothing voices. Turns out I had a heat stroke. It was a great last day in Mesa. Fainting in public and being "that girl" is definitely worth it if the firemen show up. So aside from the very large goose egg on my head, bruise on my face and ulcers down my throat I am doing much better. I am back in Provo all settled in. My roommates won't be arriving will Saturday which means dance parties late at night and singing. Speaking of roommates I miss mine. Christine Clark Is about to embark on an amazing adventure. She will be moving to New York City to work on the blog at Bon Appetite Magazine for the semester. Isn't that amazing? If you don't know Christine...go add her on facebook now. She will add you because she loves humans. Congratulate her for being amazing. However I am jealous of New York City because she get Christine and I don't. I went grocery shopping yesterday and I almost sat down by the tomatoes to cry. I am not worried though. She is doing something new and I will have new roommates and it will all be good. Summer was good. I am glad my mother had the good sense to bring me home this summer to be surrounded by support and family and amazing friends. I have the best of two worlds. Also My Grandpa just bought a bright orange Camaro with a black racing stripe.....random I know but how cool is he?

Bettering Myself Through the Art of...

2011-07-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe summer is almost over. I have hardly blogged! This is extremely sad because my journal upkeep has also gone downhill as well so there is really no record of this summer. It has been such an amazing summer

a·maz·ing adjective
causing great surprise or sudden wonder.

So much surprise, sudden changes, and lots of wonder. I will spare you all the details and just tell you a few of the better bettering moments.

Bettering myself through the art of....

Float
Whether it is a pool float or an actual root beer possibly maybe a diet coke float I have become better. Not to brag but I have successfully become dark skinned. I am no longer a glow stick. I have gone on several root beer float runs with various people throughout the summer. With a float always comes great conversation, secrets, and heart to hearts.

Books
I hardly read this summer so don't get too excited about this one....but I did read a few things That I completely enjoyed. I read a few books that on my own I never would have chosen but they all played a huge part in my summer. Either immersing me into another world that was not my own or actually changing how I view myself/the world. It was an interesting reading summer. Not my usual

Cinema
Water for Elephants was hands down one of the best movies I have ever seen. Why can't all movies be that wonderful and incredible. Edward Cullen makes a much better Vet than a vampire. I definitely fell in love with him. Also my deep deep need to ride elephants only increased. Reese Witherspoon was phenomenal as always. I cannot wait for it to come out. I also am anxiously awaiting the next seaon of downton Abby. Harry POtter ended and I bawled like a baby. Like many have said...my childhoos seemed to end that night. I cannot wait to read Harry potter to my kids and take them to Hogswart. As JK Rowling said....Howarts is always there if you need it.

I am ready to start school. This summer has been one of the best and most challenging of my life. I have gotten to spend so much time with my sisters and sweet nieces and fear I will be more homesick for them than ever.

Oh That's Just My Security Detail

2011-07-13T22:08:00.000-07:00

I came downstairs tongiht....running shoes on, proper Arizona Running attire (no I wasn't naked)...and was stopped before running out the door into the damp muggy Arizona evening.
"Would you mind if I just followed you around in my car while you ran?" mom asked with an innocent smile in her eyes.
How can one say no to that? You can't of course. So While I ran she drove a few yards behind me. At first I thought this was incredibly creepy and made me very aware of my back side but after a few blocks I decided I kind of felt like a movie star.
Being home for the summer has been so great in many ways.
1. I get three massages every week because of my broken tailbone
2. I work for my sister and it is so much fun to hang out with her...even if I get thrown up on a lot
3. I get to spend time with Alisha Mekelie Amanda and even Kricket.
4. The pool is my happy place and I love being in it as much as possible
5. I get to be in Amanda Giles's wedding which is a HUGE deal. She has been a huge part of my life
6. Mom and I do so many fun things like go to movies and shop, make cake and she reads me stories everyday. Its a good life.

xoxo
co

Josh-Tastic and the Adventures of the Maxi Skirt

2011-06-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

Today I went To Tempe Town Marketplace to see if I could fix my phone...plus I needed to go to Barnes and Noble to replace Alisha's book. While there I went into a few stores. It was not a fun experience. I decided I would browse Pacsun....I haven't been in there for ages plus I knew it would be cool in there and I hadn't been in anywhere for a good five minutes so it was time. Anyway the store was completely empty so I had the full attention of Josh the sales Man. he was VERY attractive.

***DISCLAIMER***
Yes i know he was trying to sell me stuff which is why the following occur ed but that makes this story no fun so just live in the moment and rock on baby ok!?

He starts following me around and is pointing out basically every skimpy thing in the store. I keep saying I don't think so. I decide to try on some jean shorts and a maxi skirt identical to the one I fell in love with in Nordstrom. He gets distracted by a phone call so I dart into the fitting room. Loved the Maxi skirt by the way...I am way into skirts and dresses this summer. Anyway so I go up to the front to pay. He says "man I wish I could have seen you in this...if you like dresses and skirts you should try that on" as he points to a little black dress....at least I think it was a dress. I decide to be bold and say....."here's the thing Josh...I have a booty and so I tend to stay away from anything that tiny" his retort? "even better...here go try this tight skirt on! you will love it plus you are really cute and can pull this off." As if Josh just swipe my credit card please. I didn't feel like playing dress up....sorry. So then he notices my CTR ring that i wear on my ring finger (Choose the Right has many different meanings). "whats with the ring..tell me about it" oh why hello lovely missionary opportunity. I tell him what it means and about being LDS. His only reply to my excellent longish explanation? "I am not remotely religious but hey what are you doing later?"
"Nothing just going home to chill"
"Ok great...well you are awesome lets hang out!"
"Ok great Josh see ya lata" I say with a wink
"Now go on and get out of here"
Hair flip, graceful spin on my heels and a strut out the door

So Now I am in my car. Number one: He gave me his employee discount. Lovely
Number two: we did not exchange numbers.
Goodbye Josh.

However it was a fabulous self esteem booster and a way better flirt then the dudes at the car wash. Just sayin. So ladies Josh works Mondays at four for sure.
ROCK ON BABY!

xoxo
co

Rock On Baby

2011-06-25T22:23:00.001-07:00

So I was hanging out with Scarlett today and all the sudden she sticks her tiny little hand in my face in the "rock on" hand stance and says...Rock on Baby! Number one...how cute is that? number two...so my new summer mantra. I plan on saying this all summer long. So Rock on BABY!!

I cut off all my hair today. It feels great. Ok So I hate it right now but it has only been twelve hours. But I love whippin my hair back and forth....and driving with the windows down. I think I might have secretly been missing my short sassy hair. So much more fun than my longish straggle haired look. R.O.B! (Rock on baby...duh)

I am loving Arizona. I have layed in the pool everyday with a book. I feel sun kissed and its wonderful. My legs no longer look like two glow in the dark sticks which is a huge load off of my mind. I have had time to visit legit bike shops just for fun. I went once with my mom and twice by myself...I might have a problem and let me tell you...it was easier to stalk my silver tree in Z gallery than it is to stalk my bike in the tiny little bike store. plus the same guys work there everyday. Oh well. Maybe today they thought I was a different person because of my new hair and over sized sunglasses.

So I have been taking Stock of my summer self and this is what I have come up with....maraschino cherries make me feel fancy, lime diet coke is a great accessory and goes with every single outfit, floating in the pool, falling in love with doing nothing for several hours, going to the car wash to get hit on cause its fun, rollerblading, watching movies, going to bed early and actually falling asleep, midnight margaritas (virgin of course), and Britney spears. I am in love with summer thus far. R.O.B!

I just finished this amazing book that I hated! let me explain. It's called Sugar Queen. Alisha Lent it to me...oh my the way Alisha if you are reading this I owe you a new copy because I may have taken your copy swimming..literally. Anyway...i loved this book so much that I really hate it. I loved the writing SO much. Also I identified with the characters. Pretty sure I am A mixture of both of the main characters. You see one of them falls for the bad boy and books follow her around. the other one is in love with sugar and her mailman. HER MAILMAN!!!! His name is also Adam which is my fantasy Boys name so it was a double love. Uh hello can you say "this book is so you collett?" good cause it totally was. I recommend you get a copy and take it swimming. you won't regret it at all. It made my life ridiculously happy for a good three hours.

People keep asking me who I am dating so I thought I would just publicly announce that...I'm engaged! just kidding i"m not dating anyone and I am super happy with that. I'm not just sayin that....I really am loving being completely spoiled by myself. Besides no one has lived up to Gilbert with a touch of Rhett Butler yet. NO SETTLING!

I wouldn't be me without an injury....i broke my coccyx. If you don't know what this is then look it up....builds character. It is actually a really funny story. I went on a date with this great guy named Steve. We roller bladed the canyon my last night in Provo. right now your better be covering up your mouth with your hand shaking your head because you know its gonna be bad. Well I was doing really well in terms of not biffing it. We were on the last slope down to the parking lot. I was wearing my cousins Rollerblades and we were still getting to know each other. I realized that i was going 500 mph, couldn't stop, and those were really bog boulders at the end of the trail. Crap. So like any normal person, I started screaming "AHHHHH I CAN'T STOP I CAN"T STOP AHHHHHHH! (now yell it at mega decimals in the highest voice you can...good) I gracefully planned my fall and slid on my bum all the way down. I didn;t bleed but I did rip my jeans and break my bum. Then we laughed about it all the way home. As soon as he left and I shut my door behind me I screamed in agony. Christine brought me a frozen pint of creme to sit on. It was pretty funny. Every time I sit I think of Steve. It is very tender....hehehehe that was punny. get it?...tender? hahahah.

Well that is my current life in a nutshell. ROCK ON BABY!

xoxo
co

Branded

2011-06-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

Well I am back in Arizona. I forgot how much I lOVED the sun. I got a great burn the other day because I exceeded my one hour lay in the pool time. I always wear my Tiffany horseshoe necklace so naturally I now have a horseshoe branded on my chest. I love horseshoes and all but this might be taking it overboard eh? I could lay on that mat in the pool for hours though. Hello "the life".

I went on a date on Wednesday (gasp sigh shock and awe grasp the smelling salts!) and we went rollerblading down the Provo canyon. It was SO much fun. I love rollerblading so this activity was right up my ally...that is till i fell down a mountain and probably broke my coccyx (tailbone). I am in SO much pain. Sitting is awful. I mean REALLY awful. It was such a fun date though. Such a great way to say goodbye to the mountains and green I have come to love to much. Thanks Steve!

On Monday I am spending six hours re-certifying for CPR and first aid so I can start workin. Scarlett and Zoe have just gotten cuter and sweeter. I can't wait to start playing with them. I am thinking painted toes cookies fort building and pool time of course! I signed up for belly dancing in August...not to late if anyone want to come with! It is going to be SO much fun! I am also planning on doing Zumba at stardust if anyone wants to come with as well.

So that is life as I know it right now. Pretty good eh?

xoxo
co

Two Scoops Please

2011-06-12T23:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Rachel Mom Anuntie Lyn, Scar, Zoe and I had a fabulous girl's day out. We went to the park, and the rodeo and to this fabulous dairy for amazing Ice cream. As I sat across from Zoe and watched her eat her ice cream cone I had a sudden flashback. Once upon a time little Collett and Grandma Rae went to Scottsdale mall. I can remember sitting in the food court eating ice cream cones with her. I was getting it EVERYWHERE. Grandma ate hers so that nothing dripped, splattered, and she never required the use of the back of her arm as a napkin. When we finished she cleaned me up and said ok we are going to go get another one and I will show you how to eat ice cream without spilling a single drop of it. So we did. She taught me how to push the ice cream down with my tongue so that ice cream would be all the way down at the bottom of the cone. Well needless to say I am a flawless ice cream/Popsicle eater. I didn't teach these skills to Zoe just yet. I have to admit I quite enjoyed watching her make a mess anyway. I love those two so much. I can't even express how adorable they are. I can't wait to spend the summer with them. I know I am not their grandmother (thank goodness) but I hope I have the chance to teach them things and I hope we have a relationship for the rest of forever. It is so awesome how you love your sisters kids like your own. My sweet nephew Matthew turns eight in about a month. I can't believe it! He is such a sweet little boy and so aware of his brother and the twins.

My grandma always made so much time for me. I remember going to her house and following her around. She just told me story after story. She always made such an effort to know me and what I was doing. I miss her so much today. At her funeral everyone remarked about how happy she was and how change good or bad, never phased her happiness. She was such an amazing woman. She had a radio show called Calling Collett, she wrote books, she had four amazing children, and she loved my grandpa. I must say that I envy their marriage. She was such amazing wife an mother. My mom tells me stories about running home for lunch everyday because Grandma would read to them out loud while they ate. I am SO doing that. I am still sad that she won't be there when I get married and have babies. Lately when I find myself whining, or complaining I can hear her telling me to buck up and find the positives. My Grandma is my hero and I find myself wanting to be just like her more and more everyday.

So my dear blogging friends....eat two scoops of ice cream, take the time to read out loud, and don't be afraid to be happy when life seems impossible.

xoxo
Co

Arranged

2011-06-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

I watched this movie Called Arranged last night it is about Two young women — one an Orthodox Jew, the other Muslim — meet and become friends as first-year teachers at a public school in Brooklyn. Over the course of the year they learn they share much in common, not least of which is that they are both going through arranged marriages.
It was interesting to compare and contrast the two girl's lives and traditions and then compare them to my own. Even though the religion I belong to does not arrange marriages...there is a strong push for marriage and family. I believe in family and marriage and plan on doing just that at some point but certainly not for a number of years. I loved how both of the girls were looking for some sort of chemistry. Rochel, the Jewish girl was set up on "meetings" with eligible orthodox Jewish boys by the Yenta aka matchmaker. They were all duds and seemed to be the castoffs of the community! She made her aunt and mother so nervous because she didn't connect with any of them. She was waiting for "the spark". Some kind of chemistry or sign that she could love the man across from her.

Nasira waits for her father to invite men over to her house to meet her. I loved her character. Both women made it clear that they had some say in whom they would marry and showed independent strong characteristics. Nasira is so spunky. She is also looking for a magical moment. At one point in the movie she is telling Rochel how the newest marital candidate accidentally brushed up against her arm and how that one touch sent an "electrical shock through her arm and down her spine. That just sent my romantic heart into a tizzy. Can you even imagine having that simple of a relationship with someone? In my brain this would involve meeting in a cafe for tea and talking, wandering around a museum, walks in the park, browsing Barnes and noble, frequent trips to Yogurtland, and the occasional accidental brush of the arm that sends shivers to your toes.

I am not sure if this kind of relationship would build a stronger future foundation or not as opposed to what dating appears to be these days. Movie, dinner, scavenger hunts, mini golfing....holding hands, kissing,and then hoping for family approval. There are no grand gestures anymore. Maybe boys forget that we still like gestures of romance that don't involve chap stick. I was reviewing past romantic gestures and I realized that I have probably been luckier than most when it comes to grand gestures.

Top Five
1.Getting walked home from the bus stop everyday for a year...yes he carried my violin
2.Telling me he loved me over the radio
3.Making me fresh squeezed orange juice every day while I was sick for a week
4.He brought me daisy stickers instead of actual daisies...I still have them
5.Left pennies on my desk everyday because he wanted to know what I was thinking...a penny for your thoughts

Cheesy...maybe but I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. It just seems to have disappeared in movies, media, books,.....life. I don't want my marriage arranged but maybe just supervised my a Yenta telling me where to look, who to look at, and having long conversations over steaming mugs of herbal tea. Just sayin.

Also..it is great to be a woman in the twenty first century. And on that note I need to retie my 1950's apron and take the muffins out of the oven!

xoxo
co

The Game

2011-06-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

We are all programmed to believe that if a boy is a total jerk that means he likes you....

or maybe he just got eaten by a lion.

If you don't know what movie this quote is from then please call me and I will tell you and then give you a list of must see movies. Lets just get down to business though and discuss this. In elementary school this made sense....oh he chased me around the playground all three recesses and then he sat by me in primary and poked me the whole time.....he likes me. In Junior high this made sense too. Well he teases me and makes fun of what I say is basically a jerk guess he likes me. In high school I think I was oping for something more but in the end....this made sense. When I moved to Provo wait rewind....when i graduated high school I was looking forward to "grown up" relationships i.e. one that does not involve a complicated game board with tons of pieces representing sarcasm, name calling, teasing, stupid faces that convey wow you're lame, or knocking you out of your chair at work. Silly me what Was I thinking! So here is the real 411. I work at a pretty boring job. However I work with this guy who I might be smitten with. You know when you wake up in the morning and have to think about what you are going to wear that day specifically for the viewing pleasure of someone else?yeah that is me these days. The awful torturous part of this story is....We function at a middle school relationship status. we harass each other and make fun of each other....he actually did knock me out of my chair. It is rare to say something that is actually nice and sincere to each other...and if one of us does then the other person stares at them like uhhhhhhh what just happened here? I set up little traps to try to get him to admit he actually values me as a human....sometimes it works but it takes way too much scheming. So why do I like him you ask? Absolutely no idea. I don't usually get gaga over guys these days. I think the reason I am allowing myself to act crazy over him is because I know that I am coming home for the summer and quitting my job so the chances of me ever seeing him again are pretty slim....in the case that I do I will call it fate and just tell it to him straight....in my head. in reality I would probably walk the other way because come on please...he has got to know right? I am about as subtle as a gun. Just playin the game with the best of em. You might be saying to yourself "girl just ask him out how stupid is it that a girl has to wait for a guys call anyway!" Well that is one gender ole I actually agree with. The "call me, ask me out" ball is always in his court for the first date. just sayin. Alright I am done bla bla blaing about this now. Is it a perfect time for a cupcake or what!
xoxo
co

Changling

2011-06-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

The sun is out guys! Yes.....in Provo/Seattle! they have morphed together into one city. Now be surprised though that Provo didn't acquire any of Seattle's qualities other than massive amounts of nonstop rain!

It has been a really fantastic morning though. I woke up this morning (feelin like P-Diddy) and watched Big Fish. I haven't seen that movie since it came out. I went and saw it with my sister Rachel....we both decided at the time that it was weird but I really really loved it! And no...not JUST because Ewan Mcgreggor is in it. I thought it was an interesting concept that he told his life story...using an actual story. Ok so maybe it was all fiction but is it a lie if everyone knows its fiction...doesn't mean its not entertaining...right? anyway....at one point Ewan plants an entire field of Daffodils for Sandra because they are her favorite flower....i know I am a sap but The only way to make that scenario better would be a field of Daisies outside MY window! Daisies truly are just the happiest flower. Wow it is definitely time to watch you've got mail!

Well after I decided I could get out of bed I found a secluded grassy park and just layed there in the sun for a good hour. It took that long to actually feel delightfully warm. I am on my way to becoming a little bit less like a Vampire and on my way to becoming....tan? Fingers crossed. One of the best things about this weather is driving in it. I love to roll all my Windows down and drive. It is the best feeling...I even find myself laughing....just laughing as I drive to work. Its SO beautiful here! I love the grass and the mountains and the flowers....hmmm looks like I will be needing some Granola clothes soon huh? But really its wonderful here. It Will be bittersweet coming home for the summer. I am excited to be home with my family but I will miss My Utah family. Christine and I have been roommates for six months now and I will admit that I am nervous for the fall when I won't have her to come home too! She is moving out and two new girls will be moving in. If you had spent six months living with Chrisitne you would feel broken hearted about her leaving as well.

I am hoping for some change this summer. I have a long summer to do list of course. Top priority will be working as much as possible. I will be working as Scarlett's had and respite nanny again. It will be so fun. Zoe is growing up so fast and now there is sweet baby Jack as well! I am also hoping to pick up some violin/viola/piano students again as well. we shall see. I want to get Zumba certified so I can teach Zumba in the fall, I want to make a quilt work on my Russian, and maybe take some belly dancing classes just for fun! Why not! I also will be working on a secret project that no one will know about till October. I don't think summer holds any vacations for me unless I decide to road trip to California for a few days to see Eeea, Don and the kiddos! Hello beach and diet coke for breakfast! (Just kidding Karlea!) I am sure that my mom and Delaney will pilgrimage to Canada and lay by the lake and play with cousins. Dad and I will Pilgrimage to the pool and Cafe Mix three time a week! Not a bad deal at all if you know how dinners with my dad are...long chats about books!

It's noon so I should probably think about showering the sun smell off of me and getting ready for the day. I just found this new bike store in Provo I haven't stalked yet. That is definitely on the list for the day. I also feel like I should run to Target and get a new color for my fingernails....its summer after all. I own a lot of dark colors and sparkles of course....time for something brighter! Anyway...Peace love and Cupcakes everyone!
xoxo
Co

The Best Made Plans

2011-05-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.
John Steinbeck

I have been trying to make a five year plan. It went well. I got out a clean piece of paper, crisp and new and white with no blemishes on it yet. I wrote "The Next Five Years" at the top in a happy light blue color and then continues to write a list. It was a great list. So efficient and precise. I was going to get so many things done if I did exactly what the list says. Then I literally just sat there and stared at my list for a long time and the happy good feelings about it dwindled. So, I ripped another piece of clean crisp new unblemished paper out of my notebook and wrote "The Next Four and a Half Years" in a positive pink color. There...perfect this plan will be a great backup plan after "the plan" changes. Then I sat there...stared at my two plans and ripped another piece of paper out of my notebook. I wrote "Plans are Fickle...Fingers Crossed This One Works!" in a serious black color.

Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans

John Lennon

Yeah you think John Lennon? Did you write this for me?...or do you have a collection of five year plans too? I don't know why I keep spending so much time writing out these blueprints and instructions for myself when not a single one over my 20 years has ever once been accurate or helpful. Not only do I change but newsflash Collett...No one is directing your life, writing out scripts or working on wardrobe...sorry hun. If that were true I would not be sitting in my living my room in an over sized t-shirt and spandex...also I would have perfect shiny hair and an air brushed face because duh...I just woke up.

Too bad there isn't a way to prepare for life. I called my mom a few weeks ago and asked her for my blueprint.

"What are you talking about Collett?"

"You know, my blueprint...my instructions."

".............................................................................."

"The life plan, step by step instructions that followed my decent into this world. Call the hospital maybe they have it on file with my birth certificate...it will be listed under Life Plan"

If only! A magic eight ball can only get you so far! I blame movies media, Disneyland and the public school system. When we are in school not only are stupid movies like The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants shoved in our faces (I use this example because no way did would those jeans ever fit all three of them, friendships and sisterhood like theirs is unreal, and I love Greece) but we go to school where they tell us all about foreign countries and cultures and adventure. We read Huckleberry Finn, and other books about adventures and nomads. Then you graduate high school with a sudden urge to leave home backpack across Europe, meet interesting, shady, magical characters, fall in and out of love, come back to the states, go to university and walla...now you have graduated so time to move to New York live in a fabulous flat near Central Park and wear cute clothes, have awesome friends and work as an editor...hello you graduated. This is the next step right? WRONG! Backpacking across Europe isn't safe anymore and isn't as romantic as you think either. Bumping into shady characters while in Europe might lead to your death...or pregnancy. College isn't a picnic. In fact sometimes its the rain at the picnic you planned for weeks and now your running around trying to figure out an escape route. Stop running...there is no escape route. Also....do you know how expensive it is to live anywhere close to Central Park? Trust me...you don't want to know. Really though...it might break your heart and dash your dreams. Don't even get me started on finding an editing job in new york, having tons of friends, and looking amazing....In New York.

Ok ok ok...enough pessimism. I have been extremely lucky in the adventure area. I got to go to Greece, I'm at BYU, Been to New York, Boston, and Canada several times. Gone hiking cliff jumping water rafting...on and on and on. Life is good. Life is great.....it just hasn't followed any of the plans in a timely manner. Anyway...here are some aspects of life you get warned about...but you never think it is actually going to happen

Grandparents die

You will fail a class

change your major

eat an entire container of ice cream

feel like you do nothing but study

realize your parents and your sisters are your very best friends

boys are still dumb

dancing randomly...in public...is necessary for survival

everything is expensive, nothing is free

you will make mistakes big ones small ones and in between ones

falling in love with all the wrong people and feeling like it won't ever happen for reals

Russian is really hard to learn

Life plans are a type of temporary security...not an actual helpful tool and may in the long run make you crazy

Are you all still with me? Sorry this is so rambly. If you tuned out or moved on after I said I wanted to meet dark shady magical people in Europe I totally understand....I myself may or may not have googled Miranda Lambert's wedding pictures after that segment as well. (Blog post about that to come my friends). I'm not saying that dreams don't come true and I'm not saying that adventures don't happen....just never in the way you think they are going to come. Let me repeat that, if not for your sake then for mine.

NEVER IN THE WAY YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO COME!

Anyway....I hope none of you took this too personally, no one should be hiding in their closet right now or throwing away all their Disneyland memorabilia. All I am saying is life is not a movie script or a simple two story English Cottage blue print...with a turret and small garden in the back. I think I have decided its more like the yellow brick road. If you stick to the foundation i.e the gospel your family, education, progression...then nothing you can't handle will get you. Don't forget though that even though Dorothy and Toto stayed on the yellow brick road they still got attacked by witches, monkeys, fields of poppies and a weird crew of friends.

Hood Winked

2011-05-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

I have this tendency to fall in love with fictional characters. Don't worry, Gilbert Blythe will forever be my man but I have a new crush....well it is deeper than a crush. I am in love with an outlaw. His name is Robin Hood. BBC has a mini series called Robin Hood and it is by far the greatest thing I have ever watched...this year. It has been a really rough couple of months for me and I feel like I am fighting back death disease and destruction as Rachel would say...more than normal. When this happens to me I rely on action movies to cheer me up. I like to watch shoot em up blow em up blood and violent shows more than anything else when I feel dark and twisty inside. So Robin was the perfect fix. Yes, I did moon over Robin Hood but I also fell in love with Marion. (Don't be dumb). I mean...in previous movies and descriptions of Marion i have tended to think damsel in distress and weak girl. Not so. Marion is strong and independent, defiant and noble. I adore her. She is my hew hero. Plus the actress that plays her is curvaceous...brownie points for BBC. They hire curvier, more real looking women for their shows. I don't know why but thumbs up. Anyway...I think that as a girl sometimes I feel like I am just biding my time till I become someones wife...this isn't a frequent thought but it does happen. Especially at BYU where neat smart put together girls don't date because making out a few times just sin't our idea of a good time. Marion and Robin have the most pure relationship ever. I love them. They are my all time favorite celebrity couple. The only down side to this show is that I tend to talk to an old English peasant accent. Sorry Zoe and Christine. Also I plan on being Lady Marion for Halloween. Robin has this best friend named Mudge in this version. I feel like in our society we don't get to read about two men who have a close friendship anymore. These two have fought wars with each other and would die for each other. It is refreshing to see a bond like that and to see male emotion. It happens! I promise! Masculinity has been construed into something almost evil...I feel like the men in ourlives might suffer and hurt more than they let on. Not that Robin isn't a masculine character because he is.

Anyway...I recommend you all jump onto netflix and watch the first episode. I promise you will be hooked on Hood.

Where is the Power Down Switch

2011-05-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

I have heard about trials before. I have heard people stand up in testimony meeting and say how grateful they are for their recent/current trial....am i missing something because I would give my right arm for this week to end. ENOUGH ALREADY!
Signs of Stress:
A broken out face
More ice cream in my life than humus
sweatpants and sweatshirts
diet coke
sick stomach/cramps
a never ending flow of tears?
more calls home
no sleep
questionable hygiene
lots of melodramatic comments

check check check...yeah Ok I have them all. Thank you universe. This has got to be a cosmic joke. I feel like a Cosmic joke. As soon as I thought this guess what? My grandma Rae passed away on Thursday. This is the closest I have been to a death. I can't believe I live in a world where my Grandma doesn't. Also I learned that I will be playing a violin musical number and yeah...I did take my Anatomy final today...did I do well...nope. Am I considering the circus? Absolutely. I made a list (duh)
I can do weird things with my legs...like put them over my head
I love elephants and horses and costumes and makeup
I love to travel and see new places
I am a people pleaser
Obviously I am very good at eating junk food
I'm HILARIOUS! don't even try to to argue this one

The circus and I were definitely made for each other. After all I have no idea what the heck I am doing at BYU anymore.

Basically I am low....lower than I have ever been emotionally physically mentally....cal you think of anymore? Pretty sure I am missing one. You get the idea though right?

Looks like I am in serious need of a reality check eh? Ok so Grateful list...(again duh)

-I have amazing older sister. Like....your allowed to be jealous because If you don't have big sisters then I am truly sorry for you. I am grateful for Rachel and Karlea this week. Especially Rachel who has made sure I am still alive everyday this week. Yep I'm still kickin.
-The weather cleared up and it is bright and sunny and beautiful
-I got three letters this week
-I wrote four letters this week
-Angels are real
-Roommates are not just people you live with...they become family. thanks guys
-Christine and Justin let me go grocery shopping at one in the morning last night because it is less crowded and I can dance around easier
-I decided to quit my job
-I think I might be skinnier....gasp ooh awww
-Answers to prayers happen
-I got to talk to my brother
-The seven eleven guy bought my lime diet coke on wednesday(No he is not cute and no he was not hitting on me...I was crying...hormones man...its a killer)
-I work with people who make me smile
-I went on a walk with an old friend
-Went to yogurtland and ate it in a park...on the ground. Alone
-I have the gospel in my life and a strong testimony.

So things aren't all bad. Yeah...I might suck at school and yeah its possible that I have never felt more alone in my life....but there are still more good things than bad.

I miss my Grandma Rae more than I can think about. I have her violin guys. I play it. Her fingers and my fingers will forever have that connection. I think I am most sad because she won't be at my wedding...or give my advice when I have babies. She will never read to me again in this life...or lay in bed and watch old TV shows with me. We won't play double solitaire or hearts again...in this life. I know she is so so happy to be talking and up and moving and going and being busy....But....yeah just but. I don't have a second half of that sentence yet.

I would like to stop crying now. I would Like to Power Down.

A Little Fall of Rain is Really Hurting Me Now

2011-05-07T14:04:00.001-07:00

Les Miserables Is hands down my favorite book in existence. I loved it so much that I started rationing pages when I was nearing the end. I have never seen the play which I don't even know how this is possible. I knew that it was coming to Gammage theatere in June and had planned on going till I decided to stay at BYU for spring term. I went through he seven stages of grief. Well now to my horror and deepest despair I have realized that Les Mis is coming to Salt Lake at the end of the month. Guess how much the cheapest tickets are? 127 dollars....EACH!!!! I am currently in the depths of despair. I now have to repeat the grieving process all over again. I want to see Les Mis more than just about anything right now...well besides a bike. They are tied for first. Leslie Ward if you are reading this post...please mourn with me! Has anyone ever heard Leslie sing the songs from Les Mis? It is kind of a big deal....she sounds amazing.

So here is my plan...I need a very rich boyfriend stat like. I need him to be completely smitten with me and basically wrapped around my finger...yes I am playing the gold digger card right now. After all for the both of us to go would mean something like three hundred dollars if we include gas. I even have an amazing dress.

This is the pits. I feel empty inside knowing that I won't be seeing Les Mis on the 25th anniversary of the musical. If you live in Arizona...go buy tickets and go. That means you Mom and Dad and Delaney!

This is what my face looks like right now!

I See Dead People...Every Monday and Wednesday

2011-05-04T21:42:00.001-07:00

So this TERM....Not semester, TERM...I am taking Anatomy at BYU. It has got to be one of the most difficult classes at BYU. It is TEN TIMES more difficult over the spring because it moves so so fast. I desperately miss MRS. Blackburn and her awesome stories, great helpful hints and her slow pace. It is my own fault for deciding to take it in the Spring. Hello crazy! Today we worked with the cadavers for the first time. I didn't think I would be nervous. Then I got to lab and was waiting for class and the nervousness settled in. After the first hour in lab though It stopped seeming so weird. Except when I got home I was eating some chocolate chips and thought...I bet Kitty (Cadaver) Use to eat chocolate chips.

On a different note, Spring has sprung at BYU. Finally finally finally. I hope i have time to hike and go to the lake. I know that every waking unplanned moment should be filled with studying Anatomy but still...a girl can dream right?...dream on I suppose is more like it!

Three Things

2011-05-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

*Note*

This post was inspired by Christine Clark

My roommate Christine did this on her blog and it looked like so much fun so I decided to copy her....what else is new. Anyway here is what you do. I will tell you three things about me in lavish detail...if you read this post...you, then, also have to comment three things (in lavish detail) about yourself! Ok ready...set....go!

My Best Friends are Hard Bound

I love books. I collect them I lust after them and of course I read them. I grew up with a mom who turned on more lights for me at three o clock in the morning so I could read better...I never had to hide under a quilt with a flashlight. When I was eight my Mom and I started a mother daughter book club that we continued for years...I'm talking late teens here. The girls and mothers in that group remain to this day my closest friends. When you read together and discuss your inner most thoughts....it binds you together for life. My ideal day is me and a book. My ideal date is me at Barnes and Noble...oh yeah and the date. My ideal Summer is me and a stack of books. Get the picture...its an addiction. And I like it!

Ana Pascal Wannabe

Stranger Than Fiction has got to be one of my all time favorite movies. I love Ana Pascal. She is a very educated woman who dropped out of Harvard Law School to make cookies. Pretty sure I think about doing this daily. I believe in God, I believe that families are eternal I believe that Chick flicks are healing and therapeutic, I believe is saying yes more than no and I believe that chocolate can cure just about anything. I have designed a whole bakery for myself...a logo a name, a unique gimmick....all I need now are funds...lots and lots of funds. I love to bake. I bake often. It makes me very very happy. In a world and life that sometimes feels chaotic and out of control...theres is nothing more comforting than an exact recipe. Add a pinch of this a dash of that mix stir scoop bake walla...results. I love it.

Fasten Your Seat belts

I have a very specific list of places and things to see before I die. Not in any kind of order...one adventure doesn't seem to take precedence over another....but I would like to go places. India to ride an elephant of course. (for those of you who don't know...elephants are my favorite animal and I love them.) Africa for numerous reasons,Russia...Putin of course, Prince Edward Island so that I can climb a cherry tree and spend the night there...possibly float down a river reciting the Lady of Chlot, London, Venice, Paris, Berlin...need i go one or do you get the picture? Good. As previously mentioned this whole post requires funds....or a Brazilian oligarch (thank you Breakfast at Tiffany's).

Your turn! I am now off to bed seeing as I have two anatomy quizzes and one Anatomy test this week.

All prayers, spells, chants, and rituals practiced on my behalf are much appreciated! Goodnight lovlies

xoxo

Nuff Said

2011-04-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

Owls, and Broomsticks and Babies Oh My!

2011-04-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

My dear sister Rachel is currently in labor. I need to zap myself to Mesa Town now! Why can I not apparate? Why didn't I get accepted to Hogwarts? I need wand and a broom stat please.

Sigh...it has been a frustrating day. I wanted to be there so badly. I was hoping she wouldn't have Baby Jack till I got there but I realize that this kinda has nothing to do or with my schedule. So what did I do instead? I made Monkey bread, Chili Corn Bread, and my very first Black Forest cake. Rachel makes the most amazing black forest cake so I figured it would be a good tribute to her. I must say...it turned out way better than I thought I would. It didn't lean or fall over. I wish I had a picture to show you all....but that never happened. But it was kinda pretty. I am more excited than ever to get home now. When I get there the sun will be out,a new baby with brand new baby smell, karlea and my sweet nephews and Baby Isla. I need to focus on finals...I still have three more. THREE! Book of Mormon, Scientific claims, and humanities. I am only worried about scientific claims...the other two not so much. Also...I would really like to go on a walk...It is kinda dark being ten thirty and all so Not really wanting to go alone....man I really need to find a night walking buddy!

Reincarnation

2011-04-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure I use to be a dog in a different life. I Love warm days like today. i just want to lay outside in the sun....even better though is to ust drive around with all the wondows down with my head out the wondow. That would be so ideal. Too bad gas went up 12 cents this week. It is days like today when iw ant a bike more than anything else in the world. How is one suppose to study with all that sunshine goin on outside? All I can do is think about summer...and popsicles but we can stick to talking about summer for now.

So I am coming home from Provo at the end of June and will be in Mesa town for July and a little bit of August. I am planning on working for Rachel again. I cna't wait to spend time with Scarlett, Zoe , and Jackie boy! It will be so great. I also plan on completeing Zumba Instructional training! I can't wait. I think that would be way too much fun. Other than that my goals include getting as brown as possible because I am super white and I can't handle it...so I figure the darker I get now the longer it will last. I also want to eat tons of popsicles, Finish making a cook book, Buy a bike. I can't wait anymore. It would be great to get to California and hang out on the beach with my sister for a few days/weeks too. Master surfing or something cool. she also has some pretty cute kids I quite like. I think it would be so much fun to make a patchwork quilt. not too big maybe just queen sized. I think that would be fun...plus I have never made one before I might have another project going on but that is a secret ya'll are just going to have to wait and see.

I am also seriosuly debating whether or not to cut my hair...again. I kind of like the length....i just wish it had more of a style....something a little edgier. Just for fun. I am thinking I will cut it when I get home and then it grow back out for fall. I just need a change...maybe I'll put pink in it...just kidding mom. Kind of hehehe.

I am so happy that winter has reincarnated into spring. I love it here. I love my life. I guess I should go study now. Two down three to go!! Three sleeps till Mesa! Love you lovlies xoxo Co

Heart Strings

2011-04-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

I Love black and white photography. I usually look at old cities or those obnoxious ones of couples kissing but I have a new favorite. His name is Sebastião Salgado. Apparently I live in a hole and just discovered him. So back story...I have always wanted to go to a third world country and work as a volunteer. Sebastiao travels the world capturing candid moments of people. I think he does a beautiful job. He said:

“There are differences of color, language, culture, and opportunities, but people’s feelings and reactions are alike. People flee wars to escape death, they migrate to improve their fortunes, they build new lives in foreign lands, they adapt to extreme hardship.”

This picture hit me really hard. That long pipe that the people are using for a highway?...yeah that's a water line taking fresh clean safe water to the developed city. These people don't have the modern conviences of plumbing or clean water. Instead they are tortured by the idea of water everyday as it literally rushes under them. Look at the shanties....can you believe people live like this all over the world? The governments probably didn't even consider these women who are still hauling water in buckets from miles away that they will now have to boil in an attempt for it to be clean.

I love this picture. I love their faces so much. This makes me want to get on a plane and go to Africa STAT like. Notice their legs though? See how skinny they are? These kids are probably living in a refugee camp because their country is at war and part of a genocide. They had to flee their country.

Some countries will let refugees find sanction in their countries but only if they stay in these camps away from the citizens. Yes, that is razor wire fencing.

Ok so I am really passionate about women in the developing world and maternal health. The girls in the first picture probably were out playing in a field with enemy land mines maliciously hidden in the grass. The other picture of the mother holding her sick baby is almost too much to handle...her eyes look so hopeless. I feel like there should be something to do to help.

I love this picture. How cute are they!? Ok but think about it...we don't choose our families or our circumstances. I am the baby in the high chair...chances you are too. We were born into prosperity, freedom, and love and peace. We are safe. No one is trying to trample us.

Children really do have the power to send powerful message. This little girl looks so innocent with her flowers standing in the middle of men with loaded guns. I love her face.

Anyway...thanks for appeasing me by looking at these and reading my thoughts. Technically I can write this post off as study time for Humanities but it was also pretty therapeutic. Not to mention a great study break.

And...just because I couldn't resist

Happy finals loves!
xoxo
Co

I don't have a problem

2011-04-10T21:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.cafepress.com/+i_love_putin_tshirt,65468526?utm_content=fitted+t-shirt&cmp=dac--ta--us--000--00000&utm_source=Tellapart&utm_campaign=retargeting&pid=6673149&utm_medium=display

He Must be Like Putin

2011-04-04T20:02:00.000-07:00

So Since all the single eligible bachelors of the church are now going to be on the prowl after priesthood session...I have been thinking about the kind of man I want to marry I feel like these two ladies do an excellent job of describing everything I could possibly want in a man...
Pause my blog music then push play

Yes....I want a man like who Putin.

One like Putin, full of strength
One like Putin, who won't be a drunk
One like Putin, who wouldn't hurt me
One like Putin, who won't run away!

I mean check him out!

So boys...if you have any of these traits and you feel like you would be an extremely classy Prime Minister/ dictator of Mother Russia..PLeas give me a call

http://www.cracked.com/article_19128_7-reasons-vladimir-putin-worlds-craziest-badass.html

Pomp and Circumstance

2011-03-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

I played in my very first orchestra concert at BYU tonight. It was a huge concert hall and the audience was thrown into darkness because the stage lights were so bright. I don't know how we sounded. Probably not great but not too bad either. I realized a few things though. I LOVE to play in the orchestra. I know I wine about going back to campus Wednesday night and playing for two hours...but I secretly love it. We don't celebrate classical music enough in today's culture. It is so uplifting and emotional. It is possible to experience a wide range of emotion through music like that....in my case i experienced a deep love for Scarlett, Zoe, and the Baby Einstein when we played Malouv. Afterward My sweet roommate Christine and I went to Yogurtland in celebration....we also ran into my fabulous cousin Allyse. It was so much fun and I can't wait to play again in the fall.

Also...my hair is still pink from the festival of colors hence the funky hair-do. I will secretly be so sad when my hair no longer has pink splotches in it.

Let the colors of Holi spread the message of peace and happiness.

2011-03-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I participated in probably one of the coolest events in Utah. It is called the festival of colors. It was in Spanish Fork at the Krishna temple. If you don't know what it is then I will tell you what little I know. Basically it is a celebration of spring. They burn the witch of winter and then welcome in sprintime by throwing colored chalk at people. It was insane. The temple was pretty cool. I wanted to dance the Krishna dance from scrubs around it but there were too many people. I got to go with my cousins Laurel Lilly and Allyse and my super cool aunty J. Here are some pictures.

Right Chloe?

2011-03-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

I miss Chloe. Chloe is my Toy poodle who followed me everywhere when I lived at home. I always called her shadow because literally....she follows me everywhere. I wanted a dog from the time I knew what a dog was and it took me a long long time to convince my parents to get one. They finally caved hence Chloe.

I talk to myself all the time. It never ends. There is always a constant conversation going on....usually it is out loud but now that I am not at home this is more difficult. You see when I was at home I could have long long conversations with myself and add a "right Chloe" to the end of every thought to make it appear as if I was talking directly to her. Now I am at BYU Chloe-less and appearing flat out crazy. The closest thing I have to a pet is my elephant stuffed animal named Stella. I feel more crazy when I talk to my stuffed animal so I stopped talking to her.

Right Christine? Christine is my roommate. I follow her around everywhere now that I don't live at home. Sometimes she calls me her shadow because literally....I follow her around everywhere. I wanted a roommate for a really long time but I took longer than other to leave home. Finally my parents convinced me to leave hence Christine.

I talk to Christine all the time. I never end. There is a constant dialogue between us whether anyone else understands us or not. I feel bad for her sometimes having to listen to every random thought that pops into my head. Sometime they aren't even coherent or real words but she is patient with me and my brand new speech impediment. It is so nice to be able to come home from wherever and know that she will be there to hear me out...whether she likes it or not. She is also full of wisdom about every topic under the sun. Pretty sure Christine knows something about everything. She always seems to know exactly what to say. She is also really really good at helping me see the bright side to chocolate chip cookie number three. She is the Best....feel free to be jealous.

Dear Mom and Dad, for Christine's sake...can I have a puppy?

Shiny Happy People

2011-03-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

Today was happy. So happy in fact that I might have been one of those people who smiled at random people....I also twirled to the song Honey Honey by ABBA on campus. I kept hoping that I would start a trend and people would catch on to the twirling and we would start a massive dance party right there in the courtyard...no such luck. Some day my friends....some day. Anyway it was overcast and windy so walking to school was so much fun because the wind kept blowing my hair to the effect of a model walking down the runway. even if I had a ponytail with scrunch and bunch hair...the effect was still there. I came home from class and read a book while waiting for Christine to come home so we could talk about boys, the new york times, and hobo sweaters. After we had lunch together she went off to take a french test because she is cultured and a great student like that...I took a nap! Unbelieveable right! Usually I just rest...but today I actually slept for an hour before getting up and writing papers again. It was lovely.

I feel like things are changing on me again. Not on a bad way just changing. I love growing up because it is fun to see who you are still friends with and who you realize you can live without. For example...my sisters. I miss them so much. I feel like I am missing out on their lives being so far away. This cannot and should not ever happen again. We need to figure out how to live around each other k guys? thanks. Mondays always make me nostalgic because I get missionary emails. My favorite of course are Nicks. He is doing great by the way and loving his mission. Isn't it weird though that he is my brother? I was thinking about the first time I met Nick. Seventh grade. Orchestra. My thoughts? That is the most obnoxious human I have ever been stuck in the same room with. Two months later we were friends. Eight years later and I call him brother. Who woulda thunk?

I am addicted to grapefruit juice...and orange juice...and limes. I miss home. I miss my mom. I will never be too old to to miss my Mother. Also I was watching a movie about a girl and her dad and I swear I started to tear up missing my dad. I have been sick as of late and it has been such a different experience being sick away from them. I am a homebody arizona citrus addicted chick what can I say.

I have an awesome BYU family. I live with two strong crazy women. I adore them. Mike Jensen tolerates his adopted children so gracefully. thanks for doing our dishes this week! I'm so grateful to be here with them. As far as roommates go I won the lottery.

The semester is almost over and i am beyond thrilled. it has been a long one. I am really excited to start new classes! Also I get to go home for a few days. Fingers crossed Rachel has her baby! That would be so perfect if he could just schedule himself to fit into my time table. thanks baby Jack!

Overall I feel happy and shiny. I survived last week even though I felt as is I might cough all my vital organs out. thanks for all the love guys!

xoxo
Co

I am ADDICTED to this song. My friend Ethan has me hooked on Boyce Avenue!

I stole this picture from Christine but I'm seriously in love with it. I want to do this someday. Adding it ot the bucket list!

Would you Marry me if I wore this?

And I think I'm Contagious and I would Really Appreciate it if You WOuld Just Go Away

2011-03-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Its been such a good week! So eventful let me start from middle..no I start from beginning because beginning is best place to start (please read in Russian accent!) Ok so my week started out like any other...lots of papers lots of reading lots of no dating then Thursday hits the mother of all days the creme al la creme! It was sixty four degrees outside and my noon class got cancelled so I picked a tree and layed down with my book and read and wrote Delaney a letter and even might have dozed off. I smelled like grass and springtime. It was wonderful. I was in paradise....BUT WAIT!!! It gets better! I go to my women's lit class and looked at my two essays she had just graded...one said wonderful with an A++ and nine extra credit points. The other said fabulous with an A+ hello happy glowy Collett. Yes I did skip home...might have twirled. Ok I twirled. Michael Buble and I had a Wonderful Day together. Welll just like a roller coaster you gotta go down....around four o clock I started feeling really really really really Really REALLY sick. thats alot of really's. My roommate accidentally had left the gas stove on all night the night before and so I was worried I might have gas poisoning so Chrisitne took me to the ER where they informed me I did not have gas poisoning but just a boring old lung virus. Boring huh? I was at least hoping they would say my leg was haunted or something....which I informed doctor Nelson. Not attractive. I also had to get my blood drawn and my mom wasn't there....I didn't cry. I promise...ok I might have let one lost tear roll down my cheek. I now have a bruise...the mark of the blood sucking vampires!!! mwhahahahaha. I have been so weak all weekend...a helpless fawn...an infant almost. My sweet roommates have brought me drugs, soup, water, Popsicles etc etc. I am feeling better today....strength has reentered my body. I still have the shadow of a cough. black bags encircle my eyes...luckily I am the proud owner of covergirl foundation which makes them disappear.

Now I am sitting on the couch trying to write a personal journal about eating disorders. Hmmmm....yeah nothing so far. Its due tomorrow. Can I just make something up? That would make me feel guilty though is everyone else is going to bare their souls...oh yeah we have to read them to the class.

Also every time I start to laugh it turns into a coughing fit. Its actually pretty hilarious. I'm sick of being sick though.

All done!

xoxo
co

Lets Communicate

2011-03-05T11:55:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in a really long time! Sad huh? Especially since I feel like lots has changed in the past few weeks. Lets just start at the beginning.

I can't believe February is over! It went by WAY too fast. Valentines Day was marvelous for several reasons. I made an alarming amount of sugar cookies and went out Zumba dancing and to Noodles Co with my wonderful roommate/date Christine. I usually have always done Valentines Day with my dear friend Bryson who is currently stationed in Afghanistan. Missed him mucho but really proud of him for choosing to fight for our freedom. Missed you BRY! However Christine and I had a lovely evening of noodles and 30 rock and sugar cookies. The only thing missing was our dear Meg. Also, one of my oldest and dearest friends got engaged! I am sooo thrilled for her. Robbie couldn't be getting a better girl and I know they will be really happy together. Amanda and I have been through our whole lives together and I am excited for her taking this new adventure...even if we aren't taking it together.

I changed my major. I am no longer an English major but a.....drum roll please....COMMUNICATION DISORDERS!!!!....with an English minor of course. I am really excited about this new decision. I am going to love being a speech pathologist. I love that there are so many career options for me in this field. I am soo happy about it and can;t wait to get started.

I had the worst week yet at byu this past week. Nothing went right...everything went wrong. I consumed a lot of chocolate this past week and now feel the need to run everywhere I go. However the week ended in such a great place. It is called pirate island. Sounds Corney huh? Well on Friday nights they do latin dancing. It was sooo much fun. Maybe the most fun I have ahd at BYU yet. We danced from ten thirty to one thirty. I think I will go every week. It was the best. You just feel.....sexy. And free and alive and really really sweaty. but thats besides the point. If your in Provo and want to come with... I highly encourage this by the way...then call me and we can go. I'm going this friday for sure. Dancing is just good and fun and makes you happy. I don't think...my husbad must do this...very often but he better take me dancing...or encourage me to go dancing...it would be REALLY nice if he wanted to take lessons with me. How fun would that be? Skip the boring movie and dinner date night but do latin dance classes instead? Yeah...I would let that man put a ring on it.

Also...Today I got feather hair extensions....just three. They are purple and are soooo cute I love them. My super awesome friend Karianna put them in for me this morning. When they fall out I want to put purple in my hair...dark purple. Just for fun. I think it would look awesome...and fun. I am so sick of may hair and would love to cut it but since i am not going to cut it I will just put fun colors in it instead. Why not.

So even though this week started off horribly it ended fabulously. Even though I still have three papers to write by Tuesday. Life is great. My sisters are coming to visit me in like..eight days! I am soooooooo excited. Then life will be perfect.

xoxo
co

The movie Reels in my Head

2011-02-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

I woke this morning with the deepest desire to go back to to sleep. Today I have to go to the post office and clean and write papers and do the whole college thing! I don't want to do that today. So I closed my eyes and imagined I woke up in Hawaii and was late for hula dance lessons because I had to feed a fish a sandwich! So in my head I ran to dance class and danced the hula. Then....in my head....I decided I should go surfing. I have been surfing maybe twice in my whole life. I am not a pro by any stretch of the imagination. If I want to surf it involves My Brother Don holding my board and launching me into the wave or at least treading water real close by yelling ok go go go paddle...now stand get up go go go!!!! He is an awesome coach and I love it when he has time to take me out. But in my day dream this morning I was an amazing surfer. All the while Elvis was singing in the background...

I opened my eyes and realized i was just picturing myself as a character in Lilo and Stitch....great. I now day dream in Disney animation! All my nanny/blogger friends....is this normal? hahahaha. I miss my nieces and hanging out with my sister today can you tell?

Reading Chair

2011-02-15T16:33:00.000-08:00

My very favorite professor, Dr. Cronin, told me today that if I wanted to be a professional reader I would need a reading chair. She said that you should get one that you love and would be willing to live in...so spare no expense. She also said if possible find someone else to buy it for you. My new project?....find the PERFECT reading chair.

These are from Anthropologie of course! I can definitely see any of these being my official life long reading chair. It would be necessary to take it wherever I go.

These are from Z Gallery. Don't they look regal? pretty sure I would need to wear either a long evening gown or a 1950's day dress. Wouldn't it be great to have this around to fulfill all your reading needs?

Peaceful much? don't you love how the chair is the main decorative statement in the room? LOVE IT

Over all I love her idea...I love that she thinks it is necessary to have a place in your life to read and think. We are creatures of routine are we not? We have a room and place for everything. I place to eat, bathe, sleep, play, work....so why not to think and ponder and read and imagine? Why not a place to meditate and feel?. I think this is important especially to those of us who are still trying to figure out who we are and what to do with ourselves.

xoxo
co

Love is Everywhere I Go

2011-02-13T17:08:00.000-08:00

I love Valentine's Day. I am pretty sure this is because of my mom. She always go all out for this holiday. I love that we have a holiday to celebrate loving each other. I made heart shaped sugar cookies got all the stuff for valentines day breakfast...aka cream of hweat with red hot hearts in it, made a valentines love mix cd wore red made valentines...the works. I go all out. Thanks mom.

Idon't care how old you are or where you are in life...everyone wants to be loved. So dear bloggers..I love you dearly. Feel the love!

here are some Of the world's Most famous Quotes on love for your personal enjoyment!

"A kiss is a lovely trick, designed by nature, to stop words when speech becomes superfluous."
--Ingrid Bergmen

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.
- Captain Corelli's Mandolin6. "Love is the beauty of the soul."
--St. Augustine

"My night has become a sunny dawn because of you."
--Ibn Abbad

"In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities."
--Janos Arnay

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."
--Aristotle

"In my wildest dreams, you always play the hero. In my darkest hour of night, you rescue me, you save my life."
--Bliss and Cerney

"What I do and what I dream include thee, as the wine must taste of its own grapes..."
--Elizabeth Barret Browning

"Take away love, and our earth is a tomb."
--Robert Browning

"But to see her was to love her, love but her, and love her forever."
--Robert Burns

"Like music on the waters is they sweet voice to me."
--Lord Byron

"I love you, not only for what you are, But for what I am when I am with you."
--Roy Croft

"You're nothing short of my everything."
--Ralph Block

"I love her and that's the beginning of everything."
--F. Scott Fitzgerald

"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
--Robert Heinlein

"What I feel for you seems less of earth and more of a cloudless heaven."
--Victor Hugo

"Two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one."
--John Keats

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
--Helen Keller

"Love is the enchanted dawn of every heart."
--Alphonse Marie de la Martine

"In the arithmetic of love, one plus one equals everything, and two minus one equals nothing."
--Mignon McLaughlin

"I miss you even more than I could have believed; and I was prepared to miss you a good deal."
--Vita Sackville-West

"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction."
--Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved."
--George Sand

"The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite."
--William Shakespeare

"Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition."
--Alexander Smith

"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven."
--Karen Sunde

"Love is friendship set on fire."
--Jeremy Taylor

"Somewhere there's someone who dreams of your smile..."
--Unknown

"To be your friend was all I ever wanted; to be your lover was all I ever dreamed."
--Unknown

"Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essense."
--Vincent van Gogh

"Harmony is pure love, for love is a concerto."
--Lope de Vega

"Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love."
--Erich Fromm

"You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly."
--Sam Keen

"The most powerful symptom of love is a tenderness which becomes at times almost insupportable."
--Victor Hugo

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
--Lao Tzu

"Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it."
--Thomas Fuller

"True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart."
--Honore de Balzac

"We are all born for love... it is the principle existence and it's only end."
--Benjamin Disraeli

"Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness."
--Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
--Elizabeth Browning

" When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams. "
-- Dr Suese

"If I know what love is, it is because of you."
--Herman Hesse

"So dear I love him that with him,
All deaths I could endure.
Without him, live no life."
-- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

"Love is like a friendship caught on fire: In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable."
--Bruce Lee

"....A simple I love you means more than money...."
--Frank Sinatra

"One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life. That word is Love."
--Sophocles

"Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."
--Mark Twain

"There is no remedy for love but to love more."
--Henry David Thoreau

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever."
--Alfred Lord Tennyson

"All love is sweet, given or returned."
--Percy Bysshe Shelley

Sneeky Silent Snow

2011-02-07T22:34:00.000-08:00

Snow falling is still a magical experience to me. Tonight I was on the phone and when I emerged from my room to talk to Christine about life...it was going to be a serious conversation...I looked over her shoulder out the window and saw the snow silently covering my world. I stopped mid sentence, ran out the door, shoeless coat less, down the store and into the softest snow ever. I love to look up when the snow is falling. It looks very dark until suddenly little specks of white appear. I know this sounds extremely cheesy but I really do feel this way. It feels like wishes falling from the sky. The whole world feels slow and peaceful.

You know what else is happy about snow though? Curling up on the couch with a blanket a book and a steaming mug of Cinnamon Spice Tea and just watching. We don't have a TV in our apartment and it is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. If I want to watch a movie I just hop on Netflix...but for the most part I feel like I have a quieter world. I have re-discovered my collection of classical music and piano music. Yes...I do feel more cultured. However I also feel cultured when listening to K$sha, Shakira and Britney. Don't mock.

Anyway...Just thought I would gush to the interent void. Goodnight Void

xoxo
Co

Bon Appetit

2011-02-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

Part of living on your own means cooking for yourself right? I thought that I would really dislike this aspect of college. I love to bake but I have never been much of a cook so I was kind of worried I would end up eating lots of salads and chicken and fish because those are easy meals I know how to do...thank you dieting. Anyway...I decided to start making one new thing every week. Today was week one. I chose to make Butternut Apple turnovers. Lots of cutting and dicing..but it was oddly just as therepudic as baking. It is cold outside and the kitchen is warm and smells like sauted onions and thyme. Here is the recipe and the pictures I took of the process. They were absolutely delicious. I am pretty sure they will be good cold too. I would definitely make these again!

Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cups (1/4-inch) diced peeled butternut squash
1 cup (1/4-inch) diced peeled Jonagold apple (about 1/2 pound)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled goat cheese
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 (11.3-ounce) can refrigerated dinner roll dough
1 tablespoon honey mustard
2 teaspoons water
2 tablespoons 1% low-fat milk
Cooking spray
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté for 3 minutes. Add squash; sauté for 5 minutes. Add apple; cook 6 minutes or until squash and apple are tender. Stir in salt and pepper. Remove from heat, and cool to room temperature. Gently stir in cheese and thyme.

3. Separate dough into 8 pieces. Roll each portion into a 5-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Combine mustard and 2 teaspoons water in a small bowl. Lightly brush top sides of dough circles with mustard mixture. Spoon about 2 tablespoons squash mixture onto half of each circle, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Fold dough over filling; press edges together with a fork to seal. Brush milk over dough. Place turnovers 1 inch apart on a baking sheet lightly coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 19 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Nutritional Information
Calories:177
Fat:4.5g (sat 1g,mono 2.3g,poly 0.8g)
Protein:5.7g
Carbohydrate:29g
Fiber:2.1g
Cholesterol:3mg
Iron:1.6mg
Sodium:427mg
Calcium:51mg

I Don't Even Know His Last Name

2011-02-03T18:07:00.001-08:00

In Women's Lit we just finished reading this beautiful book called Fugitive pieces. The author is a poet so naturally her writing sounds like a song. It was such a delight to read. The other reason I fell for this book was that it was set mainly in Greece...on islands I had been. I love reading Greek set books. Well...today we watched the movie and I almost cried. Not because it was about the holocaust but because I saw Greece! My heart literally started to race and my stomach twirled. I saw Hydra...I jumped off the same cliffs that Athos and Jakob feed the dead.

I wasn't in Greece that long. Two weeks. And yet sometimes I find myself feeling homesick for a place I don't even know that well. How do we fall in love so quickly? I am not kidding...I sat in that class pushing back tears with every inch of me aching to go to Greece.

At least its not for a boy right Dad? That happens too...at least I hope so. I don't mean that I am hoping to meet my person soon and get married but when it happens I want to just know for a fact that we were meant to be. Fourteen days and I want to know. No luke warm feelings for me please. Then I think the healthy thing to do would be to separate for a while and if I feel the same way I felt about Greece today when I see his picture then maybe I could be convinced to let him put a ring on it.

I think that as Humans we innately know what we want and what will make us happy. Do you ever think that maybe we are a little bit scared of happiness? that is a weird question but I find that sometimes it is easier to be miserable than it is to be happy. Pretty sure "happy" should be a verb. Its a fun verb though...like play dance sing cuddle smiling laughing...happy.

Anyway those were my thoughts today. I just found it interesting that you can fallin love with something so quickly and then miss it like you knew it all along.

xoxo
Co

Cleo

2011-02-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

I am heels over in head. He is stable and consistant. He is luxurious and attractive. I want him I need him oh baby oh baby!

http://3dbik.es/fJnupV
This is the one I designed and Love passionately

These are a few others I fancy.

Y and other dribbles of Random

2011-01-28T16:56:00.000-08:00

Today I was walking home from school when I looked up at the mountains. I do this every day...but today I could see the Y. I know this is cheesy but I got so excited! I am at the Y! I know it has been four weeks but Sometimes it hits me all over again where I am what I am doing. It made me smile at random people. Do you ever notice those people at school who walk around with huge smiles? I always make up some story in my head as to why they are smiling like that. I tried that today and I felt really goofy. I mean I don't have a reason not to smile but I never walk around like Tour Guide Barbie. Maybe I should until I don't feel goofy. Your as happy as you make up your mind to be eh?

I am not suppose to drink soda. I don't like to drink soda. I know that it does bad things to my stomach and theres tons of studies that it is going to give me cancer and make me lose my memory but...I love the tiny little cans of diet coke. Add one tiny can of diet coke plus half of a lime equals the happiest sound. The lime and the coke react for a good two minutes in a delightful fizzing symphony. Plus it tastes like heaven. I only allow myself one of these concoctions one in a blue moon. I am also aware that I did not invent coke and lime but It's new to me. Plus...so much better if you use a fresh lime.

My jeans situation is driving me bonkers. My jeans are too big. Yes, its exciting and deep down in my gall bladder I love it but it is so annoying to have jeans that fit perfect in the morning with no "jean dancing" but then by the end of the day to be saggin...or worse...to feel like I don't have a butt. Problem! I wear them then wash them. Guess I should put some weight back on so my clothes fit. Cocoa Bean anyone?

Lots and lots of people are under the impression that people go to BYU just to get married. Let me just say that this is false. At least for me. In all of my classes this week we have been discussing marriage and love and fantasy. If anything I am talked more OUT of marriage than into it. My humanities teacher likes to allude that true love and marriage bliss are fantasies just about every class period. I know I know he has a point and there is no such thing but I quite liked the bubble I lived in when I thought that maybe it did exist thank you very much Dr. Parry. So kids put your story book down and face the cold hard reality that fairytale love does not exist now. I swear I am never letting my kids watch Disney movies.

My roommate Christine has this new fabulous line...she says hey that's ugly..lets me try it on i bet it will get me featured in Vogue best dressed! I don't pay much attention to fashion. I am famous for jeans and black t shirts but Christine does and is very fashionable. We are both somewhat confused by what we are learning about this years trends. Basically if it looks like a secretary nineties or really ugly...its in!

Something I have been wanting to try is red lipstick. Yes mother you read correctly..I want to voluntarily wear color of my lips! Prayer really does work. Anyway...It is really hard to wear red lipstick! However I think I found exactly what I was picturing. It is actually a gloss called Hollywood Red by Bobby Brown. So its not exactly lipstick but it looks so pretty and glossy. I really like it. I didn't buy it because I am trying not to buy things on a whim anymore and only buy things I really need...but I am aware of it so heaven forbid I start dating It might turn into a need. Just sayin.

On a country Kick these days...My new favorite is Rainbow by Steel Magnolia. It is so awesome..and not just because I am obsessed with the song over the rainbow.

Thats all the random I got in me for now
xoxo
co

Fantasist

2011-01-24T13:41:00.000-08:00

1. a person who indulges in fantasies
2. (Business / Professions) a person who writes musical or literary fantasies

I am both of these things. At first glance this may be construed as a negative or a character flaw. In fact I dated this boy who once told me the reason I would never be happy in a relationship or be satisfied in life would be because I live in a fantasy life of fictional characters. No, he did not put it that eloquently or kindly either. I have learned a lot from my years of devouring books of all genres. Yes, I am a hopeless romantic and sure you could blame my books but You could also blame the movies I love and TV shows. Not only am I waiting for Gilbert Blyth but I don't think that is such a ridiculous fantasy. He is my ideal man and If I were Anne...which lests face it I have many of her qualities...I would have swooped him up the first time he proposed. I also think that I would love nothing more to surround myself in my own creative writing fantasies as my career but also those of others. I want to read for my job. Its possible you know. It is called an ediitor.

I think I should share my reasons for loving Gil
1.

Just look at that face.

2. He is so smart and wins a scholorship
3. He has a sense of humor and loves to tease
4. He dances
5. He loves literature and learning
6. Decides to go to med school and becomes a surgeon
7. not afraid to openly tell Me I mean Anne what he thinks
8. Has a wide scope for the imagination
9. Writes letters and rides a bike
10. Always encourages me I mean Anne in my I mean her writing endeavors.

So you see, He is wonderful and I don't see myself settling for anything less then this list.

Yes mom and sisters I realize it is a book and I realize he isn't a real person! Dream killers.

Boots and boys

2011-01-18T18:41:00.000-08:00

I have always loved cowgirl boots...and cowboys but that is not the issue at hand. Allyse has got me swing dancing every wednesday night and it is so much fun. I look forward to it every wednesday. I am not good at all and I know I step on a lot of toes but I love to get twirled and dipped. I must look so ridiculous though because I honestly just smile and giggle the whole time. I miss dancing so much blogging world. I love that I have time to dance a little bit up here at BYU. I am thining I will take a dance class or two next semester...also it would be really great to know what the heck I was doing when i go dancing with my cousins. But honestly if you have a chance to dance than do it....it makes your soul happy and makes you sleep better....for reals though I sleep so deeply Wednesday night. If you wanna come with then let me know!
xoxo

Ya Ya!

2011-01-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

I am in this fabulous class called Studies of Women's Literature. The class itself is amazing but the professor is what really makes this class....well that and Mandy is in there so thats happy too. Anyway we sit in a circle and just talk. Last week we discussed relationships we have with other women, sister, our mothers and roles versus Identity. It was really interesting to hear other girls tell their experiences with their mothers and sisters and be able to relate and in some cases be so grateful I couldn't relate. Oh by the way... thanks mom for not forcing your ideas of what I should be on me and letting me be passionate about English and books! Anyway my favorite part was when she said that the roles we play as women don't make us who we are. Just because I might grow and be a wife and maybe a mother does not have to change me. Yes, I do go to BYU so we talk about priesthood a patriarchy a lot in this class. As a church we believe in the priesthood and want to be blessed with that in our lives but I love going to this class and feeling that my IDENTITY as a women is just as importnat. I also feel more comfortable with the idea of marriage in the context that it is a role. A tole that is none the less life altering but not self altering...at least not in the negative way I sometimes think it is. It is just the best girl power class I have ever been in. I feel so empowered in that class and also really inspired as a wanna be author.As a woman I think that it is a hard realization sometimes that we are going to get married and have children...our job will then be caring for our family. This is great and I love that I might have the opportunity to have this role sometimes but I think one of the reasons I am so shy about the idea of marriage is I don't want to lose who I am and what I like to do...I always thought that once I got married everything about me would be consumed by my husband...my name my jobs my role...that i would be lost. But what I learned today made me realize that wife/mother is a role not an identity. My identity is who I make myself to be..what I stand for what I believe what I like and love and learn. I don't have to stop learning things just because I am a mom. I also felt this huge surge of sisterhood towards females everywhere. I think that as girls we spend so much time judging/competeing against each other when in reality shouldn't we focus more on building each other up? LIfe is hard enough without dealing with the judgements of other women everywhere we go. No it is not in my head...girls judge girls everyday and we don't even mean too. It just happens. So my new goal is work on my identity as I take on new and old roles. Also to be a builder of sisterhood.

Warm Music

2011-01-11T16:33:00.000-08:00

Herbal Tea...My new main food group

I have never been so cold in my whole life. I have been enjoying the cold in Provo until today. I honestly thought my ears/my nose might fall off frozen on the ground. I have been listening to fun music with a great upbeat peppy type of music to and from school...today I took to warm music. I needed something to make my soul warm at least! I turned to JOhn Mayer He is We Ella fitzgereld and any song that featured a cello. I think it helped...I am gonna keep on thinking it helped because I feel its not the end of my cold days walking to and from school.
xoxox
Co

Goodmorning Baltimore

2011-01-10T21:37:00.001-08:00

Ok ok ok so I know i don't live in Baltimore...I love in Provo....but I feel like Tracy from Hairspray when she sings this song on her way to school. I love my life right now. Today...I walked to school in a light snowfall. It was truly magical. I was singing your my everything my Michael buble...not good morning Baltimore but hey. I love feeling like my life is completely my own. My time is my own. I am in love with school and provo and snowfall and cold! Who da thunk right? I just felt the need to share my complete and utter happiness.

Now I feel the need to brag. I have the most amazing roommates ever. Songs should be sung poetry should be written pretty sure there is a movie coming out featuring the M C Squared story. Wehave so much fun together. Our house is pretty cute too. Just sayin.

Highlighted

2011-01-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe 2010 is over! It was such a great year and I am somewhat sad to say goodbye. However 2011 is bound to hold some adventures. Anyway some of my favorite things that happened this year are as follows:

1. I passes two different math classes. If you know me then this definitely worth mentioning! No more math ever!..that is unless something goes terribly wrong and I veer off my path of words and travel down the dreary road of numbers and logs.

2. I made new friends who I am sure will be with forever and ever. I also became even closer with the ones I have had for six years. I love the twins and miss them terribly.

3. Karlea got twins!!! What a fabulous edition to our family. I adore them.

4. My brother went on a mission to Buenos Aires Argentina. I miss him on a weekly basis but I am so proud that he chose to go. It was such a hard decision with so much at stake. He is where he is supppose to be.

5. My dad and I got to spend two weeks together while mom and Delaney went to EFY. I think we went out to dinner almost every night and talked about books we should write. It was so much fun. I am pretty sure that one night I actually cancleed a date so that dad and I could keep talking! hahahah sorry boy who will not be named.

6. Oh hey...I got into BYU! I am currently sitting in my new room typing this as we speak!! I never thought I would come here or want to be here but I am so thrilled to start school on tuesday. I love the snow and the cold...so far! I am also loving having amazing family all around me.

7. This has been a year of mail for me. I have so many friends on missions that getting a letter is part of life now...it makes me so happy. I don't even care what it is! I also fell in love with amazon and started ordering books like crazy. And lets just say Anthropology and abebooks.com all love me as well.

8. I got to work for Rachel and play with my nieces. Its a hard hard job sometimes but I love those little girls so much. I think they are fabulous. I miss them already.

9. Delaney and I had MANY adventures this year. I can honestly say she is my very best friend. I am looking into Provo high for her. Who needs stinky old mountain view when you could go to Prvo high! think about it.

10. I have always had a really good relationship wit my mom. she was so patient with me this year when I would weekly have a freak out about my lack of a life plan. It has been fun tlaking boys, winter clothes, school, careers, and everything in between with her. Hands down I have the best mom.

11. One of my biggest blessings of 2010 was that my health issues were finally figured out. I won't go into the details because frankly I am so sick of talking about it. But I feel so much better. Food and I can finally be friends again.

12. I settled down with an English degree. Not sure where I am going after that but after many pro and con lists...we are very happy together.

over all it was a very wonderful year. I am looking forward to 2011!!

Is 14 Too Many?

2010-12-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

I am trying to pack for BYU. Let me just say it is one of the hardest thing EVER!!! I just want to transform myself into merlin from Sword in the Stone and shrink everything so I can take everything!!! Right now though my biggest struggle is my shoes. How many is too many? I layed out the essentials and it came down to 14 pairs of shoes. I don't think this is unreasonable! Apparently it is way OTT though so I need to down size. How!!!???? I can't just leave them lonely in my closet with the less desireable shoes! That is cruel. My logical side of my brain is thinking where are you going to put them all? Your room in Provo isn't big enough to house all your beloved shoes. Mrs. Snyder would tell me to leave my underwear so I could bring my shoes. She would totally understand this dilemma. Sigh....Someone needs to come over and talk me through this process so I can leave things that acsolutely don't need to come! I can't do this by myself!! If only we could all have closets like Cher from the movie clueless.

Thanks Eeea

2010-12-16T14:37:00.000-08:00

This made my day! I think I laughed for a good ten minutes. I love how all the girls are wearing shade t shirts. I am so thrilled to know that there will be a new batch of RM's everyday....I am also excited to learn that If I actually do fall in love with a tree All I have to do is put a name tag on it!

Gold Star Member

2010-12-13T16:51:00.000-08:00

I have to blog about my day because it was so fantastic. I woke up this morning and got to hang out with my mom all day! We had a long list of errands to get done starting with getting my viola a face lift. Then we went to Costco...I am now a gold star member!! I am SO excited! I had to call my sister and tell my uncle and my dad....I love Costco and now I can go all by myself! Big Girl shopping!!! Then We went to the mall since I am still in the process of acquiring a wardrobe that is functional for Provo. It has been so much fun to be able to buy all the clothes in the store that I usually just look at and think....gee wish it would get cold enough here to wear that! after that we went to the post off....no good miss america stories this time. just the normal post office kind of experience. Then to top it all off....I had an In n Out protien style hanburger. I only ever have one once in a while so it was kind of a big deal. Such simple things but today really was epically fantastical! I was just so thrilled by all the things I got accomplished today. Mostly though...I am so excited about my new shiny Costco card in my wallet. I can buy toilet paper in bulk!

Stamp of Approval

2010-12-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

I love the hustle and craziness that seems to consume every store and place of business at Christmas time. However, one place I am never too fond of is the post office...especially at Christmas time. Postal workers are not usually the nicest of people. Sometimes I imagine them all to be Goblins who work part time at Gringots on Diagon Alley. So when my mother asked me to take Nick's Christmas box to the post office I reluctantly said "ok". I made sure to have my book my ipod and a snack since I was one hundred percent positive I would be there for a while. I stand in line behind this couple who is mailing a million boxes and packages...great. All of a sudden I hear something familiar...something I know and love. A Brooklyn accent! Ahead of me is the cutest old lady. She has her hair done and her make is flawless and she is probably wearing a glitzy ring on every finger! The kicker is...she is wearing a silk night gown and red velvet robe with black fuzzy slippers. She is a New Yorker so she is engaging the whole post office and talking really loudly and laughing and waving her arms around. We were all chuckling at her. All of sudden she walks over to me and looks at me real hard. She then says quite matter of factly "you look like you could be Miss America!". Alright this is what I looked like...black yoga pants, running shoes, huge Boston sweatshirt, a falling down ponytail, and little to no makeup. Well the WHOLE post office turned to check me out...probably not quite what they were expecting eh? As soon as she leaves the guy in front of me asks...."so where do you keep the crown?" Now the post office line has become the Collett show and I must say I put on quite the performance. I told him..."I Like to put it on every morning and practice my tear up and wave"...I demonstrated the perfect beauty queen wipe a tear and wave. I finally get to the teller postal worker man and am ready to leave. Before I go through the door I pause and say "i really do just want world peace" wipe a tear and wave. I left em all laughing. The post office was definitely the highlight of my day. Can you say self esteem boost? So glad I now know what my calling in life is! Do you think Amanda will help me work on my cat walk?

Finals and Salamanders

2010-12-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

Finals: Big tests that are worth too much and are supposedly important.

I am taking biology and Math 120 and orchestra this semester. In theory this appeared to be a light manageable load. Not so! I would first like to rant against Bio teachers:

They are nuts! Their idea of fun is to spend their summers tracking salamanders up and down the eastern coast cutting off their tails and running a series of DNA tests on them! Really guys? They always start out the class by saying...if you don't love Biology then You will by then end of this class! ....then for their final they dish out five essays and an in class multiple choice free response test! Uhm ok? thanks? Not a fan! the semester is almost over and in fact...I hate biology more than I did before I started the class! My bio experience consists of a summer at Sun Valley high school where we teamed up with a boy in our class and but pictures out of magazines so we could see what our babies would look like and watching Madagascar. Loved biology!

Math..never been a fan. end of story...end of rant. made it out alive. I'm good.

I just don't get finals. they test you all along the way to make sure you understand each section of the subject but as a last hurrah they give you this massive amount of work plus a huge test which will...surprise count for most of your grade.

All I really want to do is take pictures with santa read christmas books make sugar cookies and ginerbread men....not re-learn my entire semester in a week for finals!

Thankful 30

2010-11-24T16:42:00.001-08:00

On facebook everyone is making their list of thanks but I got started late so I figured I would make A night before Thanksgiving list. Here goes...

1. My parents who are so willing to drop what they are doing to help me with my life
2. Three amazing sister who are so good at different things. I learn so much from them
3. Friends that have been around for six years. I love how well we know each other
4. New friends who like to car dance and run through the sprinklers with me
5. Literature. Without it I would not be the hopeless dreamer/romantic that I am
6. Post it notes
7. Scarlett and Zoe. Yes, sometimes they are dramatic but I adore them so much. There is nothing better than walking into a room and having the two of them race towards you screaming "Aunt LALA!" It is one of my most favortie things.
8. Temples. I have made it a goal to go every week. I am so glad my family will be together forever
9. Mail. I have always wanted a box full of letters. Not quite there yet but I certainly have an awesome start
10. My health. I finally feel good all the time! It has been a rough road getting here but I feel great!
11. Colored pens and school supplies
12. Teachers who post their notes on the internet
13. My body pillow and Stella my stuffed Elephant for Mekeli
14. Toothbrushes...I love brushing my teeth
15. Loud music and epic dance parties
16. Mekenna Hansen for sharing her amazing red velvet recipe with me
17. Heart to hearts with anyone and everyone
18. Target! Iam in love with target
19. Being a citizen of the U.S.A. and the freedom I have
20. Sparkles
21. My brothers Don Seth and Nick. I love having these awesome men in my life!
22. My Grandpa Dil. If I am ever having a bad day I just remember that he is one of my biggest fans. Thats a big deal! He always boosts me way up there everytime I talk to him
23. My violin viola and beautiful piano. I will miss it the most when I go to school. I have had so much fun the past few years teaching lessons and playing in a few orchestras.
24. I am so thankful I have managed to go a whole year without being in a cast or undergoing surgery! Fingers crossed!
25. Late night walks
26. All my fabulous friends who are currently serving missions in various places
27. Mix Cd's from friends
28. Temple trips with Mekeli and Hailey
29. This blog. I have so much fun writing. It serves me far more than anyone else.
30. The life I have been blessed with. I have no room in it for any complaining. I am so blessed. Thank you all for being aprt of it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

BBC Book list

2010-11-22T20:34:00.000-08:00

Have you read more than 6 of these books? The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books listed here. Amanda Giles sent me this and it looked like too much fun to pass up! Copy and paste it onto your blog so I can see your responses!

Instructions: Copy this into your NOTES. Bold those books you've read in their entirety, italicize the ones you started but didn't finish or read an excerpt.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien

3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling

5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

6 The Bible

7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell

9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott

12 Tess of the D'urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

13 Catch-22 - Joseph Heller

14 The Complete Works of Shakespeare

15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien

17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk

18 Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

19 The Time-Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

20 Middlemarch - George Eliot

21 Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell

22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald

24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Graeme

31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis

34 Emma - Jane Austen

35 Persuasion - Jane Austen

36 The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis

37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

40 Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne

41 Animal Farm - George Orwell

42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving

45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

46 Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgommery

47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding

50 Atonement - Ian McEwan

51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel

52 Dune - Frank Herbert

53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons

54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen

55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth

56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon

60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov

63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt

64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac

67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding

69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie

70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville

71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

72 Dracula - Bram Stoker

73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson

75 Ulysses - James Joyce

76 The Inferno - Dante

77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78 Germinal - Emile Zola

79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80 Possession - AS Byatt

81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker

84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry

87 Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White

88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

92 The Little Prince - Antoine St. Exupery

93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

94 Watership Down - Richard Adams

95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare

99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl

100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

I swear I have done other things in my life besides read! Can you say book worm? There are so many on this list that I have wanted to read and haven't. I think over Christmas break I will try to read six more so I can say I have read half the list!

Thoughts At Random

2010-11-18T22:28:00.001-08:00

I have been a very busy girl the past few weeks. I feel like I have had so many thoughts...important ones silly ones freak-out worthy ones....I don't even really know where to start so I guess I will just spew them all out onto paper.

I am Moving in 45 days! I feel like I am not ready at all. Oh....I am ready to leave...but I am not ready to go physically in the sense I have not started packing organizing...list making! Can you believe it? I have not made ONE list yet! ME! Something must be wrong! Honestly though...when I think about the things I need to get all I can think is...Red Jersey knit sheets for the twin size bed that will soon be mine....after that its just darkness and an empty to do list!

My next thought is....dressing like a skank has got to be the easiest thing in the whole world. I was in need of a questionable outfit for Kristi's Bachelorette party and I had sooo many options! I came up with several outfits that all would have been perfect! Then i realized that people were buying the same things I was trying on for everyday use! Really? I guess in my sheltered I wear a shade tank top everyday mind....all the clothes hanging in my fitting room were just costume pieces. Not legit outfits. Not only are skanky clothes easier to find but also...cheaper! how is that fair? I didn't cry which kinda surprised me but I did tear up a little when Doby died, when hermoine was being tortured by Bellatrix, and when Ron left Hermoine and she just sat by his bed and cried. I know i know....cheesy but it made my heart sad. I am looking foreword to re-reading the book over Christmas break.

Yogurtland Peppermint Yogurt is amazing! I love it because I don't feel guilty eating it because its yogurt! I suggest everyone try it!

Anyway...those are my most random thoughts.

XOXO
CO

Stars Hollow

2010-11-07T17:53:00.001-08:00

If I could live anywhere it would be in the town of Stars Hollow Connecticut. I love that all the people in this town are in each other's business and know the nitty gritty details of each other's lives. I love that they have a festival celebrating something in each month. For example The Festival of Living Pictures, the Firelight Festival, And the LAZY Hazy Crazy days of Summer Festival. I love that everyone eats at Luke's Diner but maintains healthy glows and Skinny figures. It is my dream to live in such a small town as this. So I decided to take a reality check since I am basing my ideal life off of Gilmore Girls and looked it up. Stars Hollow isn't even in Connecticut. It is Stars Hollow Ontario....well it is Unionville ontario. The show was based on Unionville! Hello Ontario here I come! But Really.... it was inspired by Washinton Depot Conneticut. I know it is Pathetic But I feel really determined to find My Stars Hollow.

In the show they are thirty minutes from Hartford close to New York and Boston. You get the city while living in a small town with no "seedy underbelly". I love that there is a singing troubadour and that the Rabi and Minister share the church but have lunch together and the town meetings! I love everything about this small fictitious town...that might not be so fictitious after all. I am thinking I need a road trip to visit this haven of fiction and innocence.

Tens of things to look Forward too!

2010-10-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

1. Warm Winter clothes such as Boots, Scarves, Sweat Shirts Etc.
2. Drinking Hot Chocolate and Herbal Tea with no need to explain myself
3. Swing Dancing with my cousin Allyse
4. Living with Christine Clark. SHE HAS A TEA POT! no further explanation of why she rocks and why living with her will be epic is necessary.
5. Trees...lots and lots of trees!
6. Long conversations with my cousin Frank because he will be a few blocks away instead of a few states and a border line!
7. Seeing snow fall for the first time in my life
8. Eating lots and lots of soup
9. Taking classes that require me to read and analyze literature
10.FOUR SEASONS! a completely foreign phenomenon.

As November Approaches and my time in Arizona gets shorter and shorter I can't help but get more and more excited about BYU. I never thought I would end up in Provo I always swore I would never go to BYU...shows how much I know! I can't wait for a change of scenery and an overall change of activities. I have decided on an English major. Now granted, I still have a few GE requirements. My Nursing detour set me back a little bit, but I am so excited to start taking the English major classes. I read the descriptions and my heart quickens and I get so excited to take them. Choosing between then is the hardest part.

Mom and I went shopping last night for some winter clothes. We went through my closet and surprise surprise I have nothing that will suffice for a winter outside of Arizona. It was so much fun to actually try on the winter clothes in Gap that Every year I look at and feel sad I can never get them because I don't need them. Well now I need them and it was so much fun! I need scarfs and hats and boots and coats! It is fantastic! I can't wait.

I have three cousins at BYU right now. Allyse Frank and Jessica. Jesse has graduated but is close by. I can't wait to spend time with them and be friends with them! It will be great.

When I first started considering BYU i was so concerned about roommates. I told my mom that the only way I would go is if I could room with Christine or Amanda. Luckily Christine had an empty room in her apartment! She is so fabulous feel free to be jealous. She is one of those people who you read about or facebook stalk and think...wow she is so cool. She just does what she wants, has a tea pot, understand the healing power of a cupcake, loves Audrey Hepburn, Classic literature, Loves New York, and is all together an exceptional person. I can't wait!

Life has been so great in Arizona but I am really looking forward to Adventure BYU.

67 Days

XOXO
Co

Am I Suppose to Buy Pumpkins or Christmas Trees?

2010-10-19T23:54:00.001-07:00

I am fully aware that it is october. I understand that I am suppose to be thinking about costumes and candy and scary movies. Afterall...walfreens has Reeces peanut butter pumpkins that did not go unnoticed. So why then does every store I go into have the equal amount of Christmas decorations? It is making me very excited for Christmas and Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet! What holiday am I suppose to be focusing on? I mean, I understand why they do it but I still really detest it! The sad part is...if you don't grab your Christmas decorations and cards now you won't be able to get them come December...aka the month you actually need them! Theres a reason that every major holiday is in a different month! I feel so comflicted when I know I should be making pumpkin sugar cookies and not Christmas trees. That is my rant for the day.

Rise and Shout I'm Coming Up!

2010-10-19T16:45:00.000-07:00

This may shock some of you but it's true! I've turned blue and headed North to BYU!(Hehehe couldn't resist) I am leaving in January and couldn't be more thrilled. I Will be rooming with Christine Clark which is just the most fabulous thing ever! I cannot wait...she has a tea pot an aloe Vera plant a love for breakfast at Tiffany's all things relating to new york...all in all she is by far one of the most fabulous people I know...you are free to feel jealous!

Not really sure what I am majoring in yet. I am still geared towards an English major then perhaps Law School (ROAD TRIP!) or Public Relations. There is a pro and con list in the making. I feel so blessed to have many friends already up there who will help me and lead me in the right direction. I can't wait to see them all! I am moving in the dead of winter so any snow tips are greatly appreciated! Can you believe the Arizona girl is moving somewhere where snow is not just something in movies? Not gonna lie though I am really excited to buy real winter clothes for the first time in my whole life! Shocking eh?

Although I am very excited to leave and I am sad to leave my family and friends here. I keep reminding them I will be back in four months! I am not shipping off to Nam just Utah! I am sad to leave my students. I have learned so much from them and so enjoyed teaching them something I love.

Other than that I feel ready to take on BYU! I feel like its where I am suppose to be this upcoming semester.

Roses

2010-10-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with the this book before I even opened it. Yes, I did order it on Amazon so yes, it did come to me by mail which only deepened my great love for it. My Marmee told me about this book one night. She is such a wonderful person to exchange books with. We love all the same things! Both classic fans, and historical fiction lovers. She told me she had heard about this book. It is suppose to be a spin off of The famous Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. If you know me at all then you are aware of how much I love this book. I was so depressed when it was over my mom let me stay in bed, miss school and watch the movie all day. Anyway, since this book was compared to my favorite book I rushed home and ordered....Two months ago! This whole being a grown up, responsibility have a job go to school thing really has been hampering my reading time. However, five hours to California and five back warranted the perfect reading time. Sorry family for the hours I spent reading instead of chatting! So I read all 609 pages this weekend. It was absolutely wonderful. Roses takes place in a small East Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful timber and cotton industries, industries controlled by the scions of the town's founding families. Cotton tycoon Mary Toliver and timber magnate Percy Warwick must deal with the deceit, secrets, and tragedies of their choice and the loss of what might have been--not just for themselves but for their children, and children's children. With expert, unabashed, big-canvas storytelling, Roses covers a hundred years, three generations of Texans and the explosive combination of passion for work and longing for love. It is so tragic and heart breaking you will find yourself yelling "NO!" at times and smiling out loud at others. Read it. I know you will love it
xoxo
Co

Don't Cry for Me Argentina

2010-10-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

Nick left for the MTC early Wednesday morning! We all got out of bed and hugged him and all the girls started crying. What can I say...its a house of girls...we do that! No, we are so excited for him and so very proud of the choice he made to go on a mission! The house already feels quieter though. I still find myself headed up the stairs into his room to tell him about stuff or ask him something only to find it number one....clean! and it doens't smell like boy anymore! We miss him already but sure he will serve a wonderful mission!

Nick was and will continue to be such a blessing in my life. It was so much fun to have a brother. He only lived with us for two years but we have been best friends since junior high. Thanks Nick for being such an amazing friend for the past eight years and the perfect hand picked brother! I feel so lucky to be your sister. Good luck in Argentina!

Hair Hair Hair

2010-09-30T00:03:00.000-07:00

So I am Cutting my hair on Saturday. I need something new and different...but I still want to keep growing it out. Please comment like crazy and cast your vote!....I just want someething a little crazy and fun.

I am not going to cut it as short as some of these girls have thiers but maybe just the gist of what they have and transpose it to a longer version? Anyway....Let me know what you think? Can I pull of bangs?

Falling in Love with My Love Handles

2010-09-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

My Friend Brydie Just shared with me one of the most fabulous news articles I have read this month! It was written by British Comedian Arabella Weir called "I Love My Love Handles and so Should Every woman". Now those of you who know me well are well aware of the fact that I like to complain about the extra love that clings desperately to the side of my hips. Why do we obsess over our fat? We all hate our fat, cry over it curse it...you know what I am talk ing about. For some of us our love handles become our biggest obsession. Arabella said her doctor called her a "famine Survivor". He said that if every woman was given a pint of milk and some break to live on she would survive. I would survive! Too bad I am not an English peasant! Instead I wander the halls with the stick skinny blond twits. You know what I am thinking when I see them too don't you? I am thinking "Oh my gosh eat a donut!...or "I hope the next genocide is blond skinny people like you!'.....Or just "sigh". I have decided this is twisted and wrong. If you ever have the chance to visit the most wonderful city New York...go into the Met and look around. The models of women used look like me!!! Again....too bad I am not an English Hand maid. Honestly though...how sad would it be to lay down on the cement and say "ooh owe my bones!" I am going to try to fall in love with my love handles! I am going to exercise and eat healthy but I am not depriving myself of beautifully frosted cupcakes anymore! So my message to all of you "famine Survivors" is to look at yourself in the mirror and be happy because there are more of you and me look a likes than barbie. I promise...I did the ratio. We Win! Eat a CupCake
xoxo Co

Food for Thought

2010-09-08T23:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I decide I am really sick of school. I love it but sometimes I just wish I could do something else. Sometimes I wish I had chosen something I was truly passionate about. Then I realize the things I am most passionate about require either tons of training, lots of schooling, or so much creativity! Lately I have been entertaining the idea of dropping out and going to culinary school. I discovered A culinary school in Boulder Colorado called Culinary School of the Rockies. It looks like so much fun. I don't want to do any of it but the pastry part...that is the only part that interests me. I love how the food looks so pretty at the end. In my head i can see me opening up some cute little bakery called Collett's cupcakes, Cookies and Co, XOXO Bakery.....Something of that nature. It just sounds like something that would be the most fun! I want to learn how to make amazing cakes for weddings and parties. I just really want to know how to work a kitchen and food so that it comes out looking like the picture in a magazine. I don't care what people say...food heals. Did you see that movie Stranger Than Fiction? Well of course I am comparing myself to the character Ana Pascal..played by Maggie Gyllenhaal Who by the way I think is awful but I love her character. If you recall she is going to Harvard law School but ends up dropping out and opens a cute little bakery. I know that right now Karlea is rolling her eyes and yelling "Collett your like is not a movie!!" But I can't help it!! I love this whole scenario of making cute desserts and making people happy, Or making wedding cakes. Just seems like more fun than law school teaching English or Nursing.

Looks Like Fun huh?

Bikers and Low Lives

2010-09-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

So parents were out of town this whole weekend! Awesome right? As soon as the bags were packed and the garage door closed I did what any normal teenager would do....I cranked up the music had a huge dance party and made an amzing breakfast. Well that got pretty old fast. I decided to run errands and go to Scottsdale with Hailey and Kells....checked out Tiffany's...you know the usual Scottsdale stuff. Found the CUTEST sky blue vintage looking beach cruiser I am now lusting after...but soon the clock struck four and it was time to head off to work. Luckily Alisha was coming with me. We had three kids instead of two....and it was actually so much fun. But thats when my throat caught on fire and my head started pounding....by the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes!...Alisha was determined to make me feel better so we bought Monsters and ice cream and cranked the music but after all the fuss we ended up watching movies and falling asleep by two. I woke up with a full blown cold. I can't even remember the last time I was sick. I had no idea what to do so i just started taking vitamin c and drinking orange juice. Spent the better part of the day and most of monday curled up in a ball watching movies and blowing my nose. So I didn't get to throw a huge party or paint the town red. All I have got to say is this....If your gonna have a cold at least have a cold when it is actually cold outside! Second thing is...why did I have to get a cold? A cold is common, typical and cliche....why couldn't I at least get a cool diseas like Pica or Jumping Frenchman Disorder...I would much rather say..I'm sorry i must stay in bed all day my arm is haunted rather than...Sorry I am a walking germ with a common cold! I only hope the parents will leave again so I can get a do over of a classic home alone weekend and finally get to invite bikers and low lifes!

My Life According to Rachel

2010-09-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

Rachel has decided to map out my future life. Everyday she adds something new to the story.....This is how it goes thus far...

My Cheesy Life

Once upon a time Collett moved to Utah. She packed her bags full of ruffle aprons and kitchen utensils, loaded up her Tahoe and headed off. When she arrived she attracted many eligible bachelors. They were into her domestic skills and family ready car. One day...while sitting in Biology, Collett turned and noticed a stud muffin in overalls and cowboy boots. She immediately turned her flirt on. Before the teacher could blink she was hitched. Not only was he an overall wearing stud muffin but he was a cheese farmer from Wisconsin! Can you imagine her luck!

A cheese farmer! He had goats and cows and moldy cheese! What more could a girl ask for? As soon as he got his degree in agriculture and business, the two love birds moved back to the farm to begin making cheese. Collett soon adapted to the life of a cheese farmer. She even picked up the charming Wisconsin Accent. She was really fitting in. Before they had been married a year Collett had triplets! Mary Sue, Janna Joy, and Johnny boy. they were adorable. Collett soon got use to feeding the children and milking the cows...Lyla Mae, Rose, and Darla... at the same time.

The kids were so happy to play amongst the goats daisy and dale. Collett loved her goats just as much as her three babies....Her Husband Johnny Sr. bought her a goat every wedding anniversary.

As the years passed by and the family grew to a large number of twelve....the farm sadly began to fail. Unfortunately the only option to get the necessary funds to save the farm was for Johnny Sr to Murder Collett. She was the only one with life insurance so it was a sacrifice she was willing to make for the farm. Of course the whole thing was staged as a heroic accident. A cow stampede. No one need ever know the truth. Collett died happy knowing her beloved husband could continue his life's work as a cheese farmer. The end

I think Rachel has definitely mapped out a great life for me. I don't know if I can handle all its greatness...maybe it would be best if i stayed close to home for a while eh?

My Wearable Hug

2010-08-28T23:18:00.000-07:00

I love sweatshirts! I wear them year round. Don't you feel like it is just like wearing a hug? I do. My mother thinks this is the most ridiculous statement i have ever made but it is true! I love to sleep in them, work in them, wear them to school. I don't even mind when it is one hundred degrees outside. Its just a comfort thing...so hey...I am gonna wear my sweatshirts year round. Don't knock it till you have tried it. I would recommend getting your sweatshirt from the boys side of any store. They are longer. Longer arms, longer body....so much better! AS I write this I am currently wearing my birthday sweatshirt....I got it in California with the twins for our nineteenth birthday. it is white and has a black cut out with a girl holding a red balloon...on the back it has a big red heart and on the inside it is filled with "I love you" written in different languages. I think it is very cool!

Honestly, I am so easily pleased....I think the best present ever is a sweat shirt...can't ever go wrong. Hailey and Kelly got me this fabulously soft green one two years ago that i still love to wear. Maybe it is just a weird girl thing. There is just something to being wrapped up in soft fabric that beats almost every other feeling out there. ...I realize this is the most random post I have ever written but it is just something I have been thinking about with the weather being so nice. I haven't felt quite as guilty wearing my sweatshirts around the past week.

2010-08-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

School has finally started again! I could not be happier! I love having a routine and places to go kids to teach things to learn homework to do! I feel like a member of productive society once again.

My life...I'm not gonna lie has gotten crazy busy...but not to a point where its full. I have down time on both Tuesday and Thursday. I'm sure it won't always be like that once the homework starts piling up...but for now I actually have time to practice! I have missed playing so much. I have time to play piano viola violin...and guess what?!? I have actually picked up my guitar that has been sitting in my room since ninth grade! Alisha is teaching me on Tuesdays!

This is a picture of my fabulous new planner. It has bikes on it if you can't tell from the picture (yes...I am still bike obsessed!) Soooo cute eh?

This is my month of September but it could really be any month this fall. I had two hours to kill on Tuesday when my Biology lab ended early so yes, i did color code the entire month. Be impressed. In reality I just wanted to use all my new pens!

I think This will all be manageable...I am looking foreword to this semester. Something feels different about. I can sense lots of change coming. I can't quite put my finger on it but I'll keep you updated

Here is a short list of my weekly "to-do's"

Thirteen Credit hours
Nine fabulous students
Being My fabulous sister's Nanny....Oh yeah Scarlett is there too
Guitar lessons

Rinse cycle repeat!

You've Got Mail

2010-08-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

"My breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You've got mail. I hear nothing. Not even a sound on the streets of New York, just the beating of my own heart. I have mail. From you."

I have always had an obsessions with mail. One of my deepest sadness's with living in this generation is the absence of the letter. I am sad that I will never be an old woman with my bundle of letters tied with a blue ribbon, spritzed with perfume.

Now that I have so many friends on missions I have found that one of my greatest highs in life is when I open the mailbox and I can whisper.."I Have mail". In the end it doesn't even really matter what it is in the Mail. I just like getting things.

I have taken up the dangerous hobby of Internet Shopping. Amazon and I are currently best friends. I have ordered four books this month. They come wrapped in bubble wrap and delivered in brown packages. Its amazing. I can't help but be completely flitterpated when I get mail. It's a natural high I hope I never have to forgo. I Think there is something so personal about a letter. It means that someone was thinking about you enough to take out a clean piece of paper and a sharpened pencil and then write down their thoughts on paper. Letters are lasting evidence of a relationship.

I find them totally romantic. Even if the intention of the letter was not romance that's just the way it comes across to me. Words are so powerful. You know the phrase "sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me"...? Who decided that was legit? I say sticks are broken, bruises heal, but words last forever. I certainly can't remember every bruise i have gotten or who gave them to me but i can certainly remember far more words thrown at me. Words matter.

This post is very random but I just needed to express my gratitude for all those who send me mail. Missionaries, Desert School, Numerous collages...thank you.

Dumping Darcy

2010-08-10T21:14:00.001-07:00

I can already sense the frowning faces and I can hear the "psh, what is this chick talking about now!' sounds but just hear me out.

I love the book Pride and Prejudice. I think it is romantic and empowering...especially for when it was written. Elizabeth Bennett is witty and smart, and doesn't play into the damsel in distress that the rest of her sex is apart of. Also, like most of my Gender, there was a time when I thought that man could not get better than Mr. Darcy.

Go ahead....Bask in his Glow

Yes he is handsome, and yes my heart melts at the end when he finally smiles at her....yes I am guilty or rewinding and watching it over and over and over, and yes I have spent numerous Sundays on the couch watching both the long version and then popping in the new.

But...

Why do we like this character? He is quiet and bitter, He is vain and self important, at times Mr. Darcy is even cruel. Why aren't we all sitting on the couch cheering for Mr. Bingly?

Come on girls....check him out! Love his red hair love his smile...Love him!

He is handsome and wealthy and kind and funny. So why do we all obsess over Darcy? I don't understand. Maybe because he is the dark and brooding type. Maybe we all just secretly want a the bad boy?

When I reflect back on my reading career and the men I have loved in my books...There is a pattern! Heathcliff, Rhett Butler, Kartik, Jean val Jean, Lancelot, Willoughby, Gilbert, Jacob, ugh fine...Edward, Laurie, Daniel Deronda, and so on and so on. With the exception of Gilbert Blyth (Anne of Green Gables) and Laurie aka Teddy (Little Women) the rest of the list is taken up by the dark characters, the renegades, and the thieves. Why do we love these men? Because I do! I love them. I read their story and its like I have an affair with each one.

Ooh....So Debonair!

I have decided that we love them so much because they aren't real. They don't exist and we all know that like like Marilla tells Anne (Anne of Green Gables) "You don't want to marry a wicked man"...and Anne responds..."Not someone who was truly wicked but that could be wicked". In reality most of us will marry kind strong men with sturdy jobs who will provide and protect us and be our eternal companion...not a renegade.

And that is why we read.....to find the romance in the mundane.

I am not sure if I am ready to dump darcy just yet but I think the time is near to grasp reality and the men who live there.

Books I Love

2010-08-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

My Friend JT asked me to make a top ten list of favorite books. I told him this would be the hardest thing I have been asked to do in a long time! But here it goes:

1. Les Miserables
2. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
3. Gone With the Wind
4. To Kill a Mockingbird
5. Wuthering Heights
6. Persuasion
7. A Thousand Splendid Suns
8. When Love Walked In
9. A Great and Terrible Beauty Trilogy
10.These is My Words

1. The Help
2. The Great Gatsby
3. A separate Peace
4. Killer Angels
5. Charm School
6. Rhett Butlers People
7. Poison Wood Bible
8. The Bell Jar
9. Half the Sky
10. War and Peace

1. the History of Love
2. Midwives
3. the Chosen
4. The Jungle
5. Into Thin Air
6. The Long Walk
7. Memoirs of a Geisha
8. The Scarlett Letter
9. Odd Thomas
10.The Secret Life of Bees

Hey....he Never said how Many lists I could make!
OK ok ok I will Narrow it down to just one list

1. LesMiserables
2. To Kill a Mockingbird
3. Wuthering Heights
4. Gone with the Wind
5. The Help
6. Poison Wood Bible
7. Rhett Butler’s People
8. These is My Word
9. Killer Angels
10. The Book Thief

Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!

2010-08-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

On Alisha Scott's blog she listed the ten things that she was most afraid of. I think this sounds like a fun list. I am in deep passionate LOVE with lists....as I am sure you can tell. I could post a new list everyday but to spare you all I will Try to control myself. Anyway here are my Top most scary things:

Wolves
There is not a cool story of a run in with a wolf or anything like that. When I was ten my Mom got me two tickets to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway with her for my birthday. Sounds great huh? Well it was until the wolves came out and did this wolf dance with red glowing eyes. Ever since then I have to check my closet before i shut the door every night. I can't sleep with the closet doors open. I also haven't seen that movie since.

Thieves who Hide Under My Car.
In anatomy Mrs. Blackburn told us that if your Achilles tendon is sliced then you will bleed out and die....or become paralyzed. Ever since that day in Anatomy my Senior year of High school, I am convinced that some creeper is hiding under my car waiting to cut my Achilles tendon, throw me to the ground and steal my car! I always check before I get in. If it is night time I open my door and leap into the driver's seat and slam the door shut. It took so much practice!

Stairwells
CREEPY!!! I mean come on...a narrow cement decline with many ominous twists and sudden turns....anyone could be hiding around the corner and you would never know!

Escalators
They freak me out. Of course I still use them but I am a hesitant user. Once i fell down one when I was helping my mom with the stroller when Delaney was a baby...scarred me for life!

Rape Bushes
You know when your on a walk at night and there are the huge bushes that cover the sidewalk and are really tall?....hate them! Vehemently!

My House Burning Down
I would be so sad if this happened to me. When I hear about people whose house burned down I instantly start thinking about what I would try to save from my house before it turned to ashes. Obviously my family, dog, violin, Viola, My tree, Photo albums...and don't laugh but i would grab some underwear and a sweat shirt.

Hitting Someone with My Car
A few years ago I was watching Seventh Heaven and one of the characters killed a little boy while he was driving his car. I don't think I would know how to recover from that.

Mom?
I am not scared of my mom...duh. But when we are shopping or something and I suddenly can't find her I feel so much panic. I don't know why. Even to this day If we are together somewhere then we are going to stay together! I hate it when she says oh just go on down to Gap I will meet you there. Psh as if! Or...you go get this half of the grocery list....well I usually just say but of we go together then we can talk! In reality I am just secretly panicking I won't be able to find her after I get the celery and tortillas.

I know I only listen eight things but this is basically all my fears.....At least for now.

Soul to Soul

2010-08-01T19:15:00.001-07:00

Some of you know How much I love Russia. I think that they have a very interesting culture and life. While I do believe that the government leaves much to be desired...I do think that Vladamir Putin is a very classy Dictator...even if he won't call himself a dictator. Anyway I read this book recently called Charm School and it was set in Russia. The author explores alot of Russian Culture and tradition. Something that really stuck out to me was the Russian love of the Soul. In America we relate love and things closest to us to the heart. We say "heart to heart", and "I love you with all my heart", well in Russia they say "soul to soul" and "I love you with all my soul". I decided that this is much more appropriate. After all the heart is just one organ of your body whose primary function is to pump blood to all parts of the body. The soul is who you are, its primary function is to grow and develop what you are like. It goes on even after you don't. I really like the idea of souls holding your emotions and feelings over the heart. Especially after I learned in first grade that the heart wasn't actually shaped like a sugar cookie but actually a big glob of muscle with a bunch of holes in it. So blogging world I love you with all my soul.

Happy Working Song

2010-07-17T13:34:00.001-07:00

Last year whe I got home from Greece I was soo jet lagged. I couldn't sleep at night for four or five days so I took to "deep cleaning/cleansing" my room. I literally picked up every piece of everything and asked myself do I want this? do I need this? and most importantly where can I put you? Well I have yet to do that again. Lately sleeping has been just as difficult as it was when I was jet lagged so I decided to take on my room again. I didn't take any before shots because it was one in the morning when I started this jumbo project but I did do after pictures. Let me just say this....if you need a quiet serene place to just breathe or think or do yoga...cause I have a floor now....You should come visit my closet. It is a thing of beauty! I worked on my room until four in the morning, went to sleep till eight thirty and was completely finished at one in the afternoon. I worked so hard I actually worked mylself into a glisten (sweat). Four bags of garbage and two bags of clothes and shoes later....my room is spotless. Seriously. Plus it was just so much fun. I just turned on music and danced around in my room while I cleaned. I feel like I can be a better person now. I'm not even trying to be cheesy. It is so amazing. If you want a change in your life just try cleaning your room first before you cut your hair. Trust me. I am not a dirty person....just sometimes i get disorganized and things don't really have a home anymore. Anyway here are some pictures of the finished project!

School Supplies

2010-07-14T20:43:00.001-07:00

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." I love the day when I walk into Target and I can smell the new crayons. It is like its own brand of heroine. I literally walk up and down the aisles and giggle. I love To see all the notebooks lined up all pretty. I have a deep love for Composition Notebook. It started early in fifth grade when I went to Franklin. Well this year I bought eight new comp books. What the heck am I going to do with eight new comp books? My life better get really interesting really fast so I can fill these babies up so I can justify the fifteen dollars I used to buy them. Everyday I have to physically talk myself out of going into staples to buy post its and pencils and new pens and coloring books. If you buy a coloring book you get to buy new markers colored pencils and crayons. Its a wonderful thing. Now I am in college and I do not need hot pink rulers, a lunch box, Crayola anything but I still lust after them. I need to join some sort of support group..."Hi my name is Collett Loosle and I am addicted to School Supplies." Yeah....sounds healthy. There is just something wonderful about the start of a new school year. New shoes new clothes new teachers the idea that something wonderful might happen to you or you might learn something that changes your reasons for living. I love school and the supplies that you need or don't need to do it well. So here's to target and Staples....Thanks for bringing on the School fever early so i can enjoy it a little bit longer.

Fireworks

2010-07-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

If I didn't detest Chemistry as much as I know I would I think My life's work would be making and testing fireworks. Aren't they amazing?! I think that at all my life's major events there should be fireworks. Not the little ones...the big ones. The ones that cost 150$ a pop. They make me so happy its kind of ridiculous! I was thinking my graduation,my engagement, my marriage, the purchase of my first house, the birth's of my children, my children's first step,the publication of my first book my retirement, and of course my death. Why not go out with a bang. Fore works and the merry happy song. Perfection! But seriously...I don't know if I could find someone over the age of ten who doesn't like foreworks. I don't understand why we only set them off on new years and the fourth of july. I think it should be a monthly thing. I am going to write to our congressmen and see what they think. Obama should really get behind this one. My point is...I love fireworks and thats about it. I am proud to be an american. Even if I don't believe that our Country follows the constitution anymore or even governs the way I wish they did I am so glad I live in America. Enjoy these fabulous firework pictures my friend Allie took! Aren't they amazing?!

I want it I want it I want it!!

2010-07-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

You know when you want something completely impractical and in the back of your head you know you won't use it hardly ever? You know that just knowing you have it will make you a happier cooler person. This is how I feel about a bike. I WANT A BIKE! I keep telling my parents I want a bike and they laugh and say Collett you Won't ride a bike. Part of my knows this is true. Bike riding is not my most favorite activity but i think that I would look really cute on a bike. But not just any bike. On the Urban Outfitters website you can design the cutest bikes ever invented by man. You can design the style the color the accessories. everything! It is amazing.

You can see yourself on this bike huh? Cuter then a car right!!! And in retrospect...way cheaper then a car because you don't have to pump it full of gas! In the summer in Arizona its completely impractical because you would probably die but come November till about April you would look super cute. I would look super cute. All it needs is a basket. Plus at the end of those Five or Six months your calves and thighs would look amazing! Think of the benefits! Its a mode of transportation, a gas saver, and a gym! WHAT AN INVESTMENT! I am putting it on my list of things I want. If I Still want it in thirty days you may just see me cruising around on my new cute custom made custom designed bicycle. With a basket of course! Want to me some more pictures? OK great me too!!

Sleepless in Mesa

2010-07-01T08:23:00.001-07:00

I cannot sleep!!! I can't sleep and it is getting out of hand. It is not for the lack f trying trust me. I blame it on the insane dreams I have been having lately. I wake up and think it actually happened! That's how vivid they are. I seem to keep having the same dream over and over again for three or four days and then it will switch to something new. am going to tell you what it is in Hopes that Amanda Giles will translate...she is a rock star at dream analysis. Anyway so The dream I have been having the last couple of night is I am drowning in my pool. All my friends and family are in the pool fully clothed but they don't notice I am drowning so they just keep swimming and stepping over or on top of me. Just as I am about to slip slowly into the deep end and drown a big white hand reaches down and pulls me out. He immediately starts yelling at me in Spanish and tries to get the water out. I come too and look up and smile at him and then i wake up! I never know who it is though. Just some white guy yelling at me in Spanish! Note to all you potential knight in shining armour whatevers.....when saving a damsel in distress, don't yell at her in a language she doesn't understand! It is most upsetting! I do not understand this dream at all. Amanda...Have at it girlie!

I don't know why I dream so vividly but for all of you who suffer movie like dreams like I do...I empathize with you!

Tens of Happiness

2010-06-21T22:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life seems really insanely difficult and you want to stomp your feet cross your arms and yell "I'M ALL DONE!" But since i am no longer six this isn't anoption. My options now are to suck it up and be a big girl and move on, or be that whiney weepy girl that needs smelling salts. I choose the latter. Sometimes we forget to smile everyday and to laugh just as much. I don't want to be in that category so I am going to make a top ten list. What follows are my current "happies". Theres no neeed to feel sad whenever one of the things on the following list occurs:

1. Strawberry Popsicles.
I love anything strawberry but my favorite form of artificial strawberry flavoring is popsicle style. they just fit in with the rest summer. they fit in with gloom and doom as well.

2. Vittamin String Quartet.
I can listen to Linkin Park, Michael Buble, or Saving Abel and it all sounds sophisticated and classy when two violins, a viola and a cello are playing headstrong, or come fly with me. This has been the music of choice these days.

3. Swings
If you know me well then you know i have a deep love of swings. I think its as close to flying as you can get without buying a ticket or strapping some sort of rocket to your shoes

4. Horses
If your reading this blog then you know I have always wanted to be a cowgirl. Horses make me happy. I love that they seem to sense your feelings and react to them. They are smart loving creatures. I hope I get the chance to have my own someday.

5. Fiction
This may sound like a broad topic but its not in this case. I read everyday without exception. I love to get lost in fictious lives where everything seems to work out or has some dramatic ending. I love the romance of the mundane that i find in fiction. Someone told me this is a problem for me. they told me I expect too much out of life and can never be satisfied because I am expecting my life to be a novel. I think this is a strength of mine because I know I will never settle.

6. My sisters.
I truly love my sisters. I am not just saying that because they are my sisters and I know theyr ead my blog...but I really do love them. The older two are so wonderful in totally different ways. I hope that when I grow up I am just like them. The younger one...well she makes sure that I don't grow up too fast. I know it sounds cheesy but hey...this whole post is cheesy...I have a few friends who I would consider to be my sisters. Hands down. I would give them an organ if need be. I love my biological sisters and my friend sisters so much.

7. Letters
I have written essays on letters, I have read famous letters, I have read a book on famouls letters and I have a good collection of my own. I love snail mail. I love stamps and envelopes and stationary. I love the days when I go to the mailbox and I can say three magical words.. You've got mail!

8. Old Movies
As of late I have been watching old movies....or movies about old stories. the originals of what producers try to copy today. A few of my favorites: The Philadelphia Story, Casablanca, ROman Holiday, Pillow Talk, An Affiar to remember, Anne of Green Gables, and Gone with the Wind

9. Long car drives
I teach a viola and Piano lesson past Chandler heights every other week. Not only do I adore the kids I teach but I love the drive. I look foreward to it every other week. I like to roll my wondows down and just drive in the quiet and let my thoughts sit in the passenger seat. Its so therepudic. Somtimes though you need to turn up the music and car dance....also a fan of car dancing.

10. Baking and Aprons
I may not be a very good cook but i can hold my own in baking. I love to bake. I don't know if I love to bake because of the the actual baking part...or because i love the outfit and the dishes that come after the baking. Hailey and Mekeli made me the cutes apron. I love to wear it. I wear it to walmart sometimes because it makes me feel fancy. Not only do I love baking and my apron but I love to do the dishes. My dishes! My mess. I love to clean it all up and make the kitchen look spotleess. It might be an OCD thing or just a quirk...but I love it.

I could go on and on but I will spare you all. I don't know why though, I made this list with pure selfish intentions behind it. I just needed a reminder. So thank you for indulging me!

My Weekend as a Cowgirl

2010-06-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

I was born and raised in Mesa Arizona. Not exactly a thriving bustling city, more like a suburbia. However I would consider myself a city girl. Well last weekend my Bestie Alisha and I decided to play cowgirls. We drove the three hours to her Granny and Grand-dad's house where they let us have full run of their hanger apartment. WE partied it up! Talk about four a.m. epic dance parties and heart to hearts. I think she would agree with me though, that the best part was our morning with Smoke and O'Ryan. No, I am not referring to Irish rap stars. they are horses.

It was so nice outside. We're talking seventy three with a cool breeze. Aunt Lorrie let us trail ride and then run them home. I think riding a horse is as close as you can get to flying without the help of machinery. It was at that moment when O'Ryan and i went flying down the dirt rode that i knew I should have been born a cowgirl. The simple life. Sounds good huh? No malls, a real live main street where everyone knows your name, porch swings and cherry coke. OK ok ok so I sound like a rascal Flatts song. I am not trying to be sentimental ...but lets face it. Sometimes I wish I my job was to take care of my horse (named Sampson) go for a ride, give him a bath and then sit on my porch and eat corn bread and chili. Go ahead and say it, Collett, you are a hopeless romantic. It's true..I am. But i saw that this particuar fantasy exists and I want it. I want a pet pig and a big old barn and green pastures and of course a few horses. I think life would be be dang happy. So heres to the cowboys out there...come and find me.

Tea Time

2010-06-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

I was raised with three sisters and no brothers. I am use to pretty food and fun girlie parties. I like to paint my toes and do facials. Now don't get me wrong I like to go to the mud caves and get dirty and I like to play flag football on thanksgiving with my friends but for the most part I am pretty girlie. Not in the sense of being prissy with frills and lace but I am a girlie girl. Well Last year on my birthday I got a very peculiar present. I got a 18 year old brother. Yep that's right. My best friend Nick moved in with us and became one of the family. people who know me know that i call him my brother and will treat me as if we were actually brother and sister. This wasn't as easy as it sounds. After all....he is a boy. We are all girls and not use to a boy around...or the smell that inevitably comes with one. It took some getting use to and several dinners that ended up being etiquette lessons. My whole family loves him and consider him our own. However...last night My mother and I decided it was just so hot outside and we just didn't feel like making a full fledged steak and potatoes kind of meal. while wandering Costco...while hungry! A big no no.....we came across a specialized tasting booth...you know the big shows that only come to Costco but somehow the whole valley seems to show up as if it were a circus? this show though hit me in a special spot because they were selling humus. Wonderful creamy Mediterranean Humus in every flavor you could possibly think of. I love humus. I went to Greece last summer and had my fair share of humus and pita bread. So of course mom and I decided that for dinner we would serve Pita and humus with a fruit salad and dainty little bowls of rasberry sherbet. Sounded good to us. Mom made it all look so pretty. It looked like a little tea party. All the food correlated in color. There were red tomatoes on top of the humus, watermelon and res strawberries and rasberry sherbet. It was so beautiful if I do say so myself. So mom and I called everyone to dinner. Delaney Nick Dad Mom and I. After we had eaten our dainty food Delaney and I started clearing when Dad asked whats the next course? The next course? seriously your still hungry? Nick stood up and said I will make us some more pita. hahahaha Mom and I just laughed. Of course they didn't understand tea party food. The boy who could eat three steaks for dinner and my Dad obviously wouldn't think that some bread and beans would be adequate dinner!

It must just be a girl think. When I go to visit m sister Karlea in California one of our favorite things to do is to watch old movies while we eat dinner consisting of an array of different fruit bri cheese and pita chips. I realized though that karlea and I will only make this "tea party food" if my brother n law Don is out of town! Boys just don't appreciate Pretty food in small quantities.

Last summer I was on a cruise with some friends in the Mediterranean. On the ship around two in the afternoon, tea time was served. WE did our best to arrange our sigh seeing schedules so as not to miss it. After all...they cut the sandwiches into triangles (a rare thing these days) and cut the crusts off! They served biscotti and tiny little cookies and petti fores. Then for an hour while munching on pretty food we would all just sit on the boa and take a rest and talk about our day thus far. I commend the British for this tradition! Why haven't we implemented Tea Time into our busy American fast food on the go lives? I think I should like to make a tradition of tea time. However when I opened my calendar to schedule it as part of my daily routine...I couldn't find a place to put it other than eleven o clock at night. I do not think eating an array of cookies and sandwiches at midnight is good for my hips. Plus...I don't ave a butler named Reginald to make my tea party food for me. So I will need to schedule in grocery shopping and cooking for my midnight tea time. Sigh. I fit into my own American Stereotype.

I guess I will put Tea time on my to do list for someday. I will find time in my life to sit down and enjoy my day with cute food someday. I pinkie Promise.

the Healing power of Kisses

2010-06-07T20:08:00.001-07:00

My baby niece Scarlett teaches me many things on a daily basis. I love her so much and she is one of my most favorite people. One thing that I love about her the most is her complete and total belief that kisses make any "ouch" better. Several times a day she is sticking her fingers g=her toes or even her head up to my face saying "owie owie"....that is my cue to kiss the top of her head and say "all better!" If she starts to cry sometimes if I say want me to kiss you better? she will nod her head yes. Its one of my most favorite things. It got me thinking today though. Wouldn't it be nice if it were just that simple? Because lets face it...life gives us owies sometimes...all the time! and sometimes it feels like nothing will make it better. I think that maybe Scarlett is onto something. I am not suggesting that you start telling your friends and neighbors to kiss you better everytime you have a bad day or a breakup....but its just the concept of having a person who is willing to. I have more than my share of these wonderful people in my life and I am so thankful for them. If all you have is that someone to call you person i believe that you can get through any "owie" that life decides to throw your way.

And She Lived Happily Ever After

2010-06-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

Today I learned about once upon a time and Happily ever after. I decided a few things. Everyone should write their own fairytale. THEIR OWN! The fairytale i am talking about does not include a boy on a horse and a shiny castle or seven short men (although from the looks of things...the boys in the world seem to be shrinking! just come to the singles ward to check them all out) or a glass slipper. Instead this fairytale should be about you. Your struggles ambitions dreams adventures failures and successes. I decided that Your story started the day you were born and maybe without knowing it, you have been writing it ever since. Well, I love to read and I love stories. If I am writing a story then I would rather focus on the adventure, the struggles fighting for my mark on the world and the figuring out what I am made of rather than what boy made rockets go off in my stomach. That just seems cliche and mundane...not to mention predictable. I decided today that I want to focus my fairytale more on the adventure. My example of the most fabulous fairytale is called The Paper Bag Princess. It is not too common so if you not have read this classic children's book I Will sum it up for you. Elizabeth, a beautiful princess, lives in a castle and wears fancy clothes. Just when she is about to marry Prince Ronald, a dragon smashes her castle, burns her clothes with his fiery breath, and prince-naps her dear Ronald. Undaunted and presumably unclad, she dons a large paper bag and sets off to find the dragon and her cherished prince. Once she's tracked down the rascally reptile, she flatters him into performing all sorts of dragonly stunts that eventually exhaust him, allowing her to rescue Prince Ronald. But what does Prince Not-So-Charming say when he sees her? "You smell like ashes, your hair is all tangled and you are wearing a dirty old paper bag. Come back when you are dressed like a real princess." In any case, let's just say that Princess Elizabeth and Prince Ronald do not, under any circumstances, live happily ever after...But Elizabeth Dances off into the sunset and lives Happily Ever After. I have decided that this is the stage of life I am in. I Am dancing off into my sunset prepared to live the happiest of happily ever afters. I am not trying to sound like a feminist...All I am saying is...take advantage of your fairytale and turn it into what you want.

Sandwiches

2010-05-28T22:58:00.000-07:00

When did it become acceptable to eat a sandwich that has not been cut or worse....cut down the middle? This is an outrage. I like then to be cut in two diagonals so that I don't have to eat the crust but I don't have to succumb to the tedious task of cutting off the crust. As a nanny I will occasionally make sandwiches for the girls. I always cut them into four triangles....I was thinking about how sad it is that once you hit a certain age mom stops cutting your sandwiches. It's like a form of neglect! I insist that my sandwiches must be cut from now on.

When God opens a Door Full of Nurses...He will Usually Help You Slam it and Open a Fire Escape

2010-05-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

A little background on me...I love to have a plan and a course all set out. I am that nerdy girl who has a life map charted out for herself. The downside...and why this has never really worked for me before is I am a huge dreamer and abit...some might argue...alot unrealistic. So anyway...When I started going to school at MCC I was really frustrated that I didn't have a path, a plan , a purpose. Then one day I was walking to my class and this door opened and out walked girls in blue scrubs all walking together with their pony tails bouncing (I notice pony tails bouncing because recently mine bounces as well). They looked so happy, so full of meaning and direction. It was on that day I decided I would too become a nurse. Join the ranks. It sounded almost romantic. Wiping the brow of some sick soldier making him fall heels over head in love with me...or delivering babies in third world countries was filling my head. The reality of nursing didn't even hit me....well till now. I don't want to be around sick sad people all day...I don't want to take biology and certainly not Microbiology! I am words. Not figures. What was I thinking. Where did my dreams of American Girl magazine and book editing go? Why did I push them aside? I am switching. Changing my major. Getting back to the dream and back to what I love. I want to be in an environment where it is ok to be creative and unrealistic sometimes. I decided that those nurses with the bouncy ponytails were happy because they had just left class...Not because they were in scrubs.

Gila Valley Temple Dedication

2010-05-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

Early Sunday morning The twins and I went to the dedication of the new Gila Valley temple. Before the actual meeting started they played footage of the grounds and parts of the inside. It was so beautiful and made me very excited to go there someday. President Monson was so cute and clever. I got such a testiment that he was our prophet and recieves revelation from Heavenly Father. He talked about missionary work a lot and temple marriages. the whole dedication was a great reminder of why we are here and what we should be doing. Over all a fabulous sunday.

I Want to be a Nun Again

2010-05-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

Last night i had the pleasure of going to mountain Views surround sound orchestra concerts. When I was in high school orchestra this concert was the highlight of the year. I loved it even though it meant standing and playing for an hour or two...for those of you who don't know this is very difficult to do. The only thing I don't miss about orchestra is the awful nun outfits we had to wear to perform in. I hated that dress. All the girls use to joke about burning thim in the desert once orchestra was over. I could never bring myself to burn it though. It still hangs out in the back of my closet...a Long synthetic silk reminder of my school orchestra days. Last night as I sat in the audience I couldn't help but feel kind of sad. I felt odd and uncomfortable sitting in the blue padded chair. I felt like I should be stanidng with the rest of the Nuns and penguins playing Pirates of the Carribean and Sound of music with them. I couldn't help but think I would like to be a nun again. When I got home I had to rush upstairs,pull out my Viola and run my bow over the strings and remind myself what it is like to play. I teach viola lessons but that in so different than actually playing just to play. I decided that I need to take the first step and find an orchestra to join, a new cloister with a new black nun dress.

Hungry Hungry Hippo

2010-05-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

Rachel and I bought the girls the game hungry hungry hippos to pass the hot day. WE got it out and set it up and Rachel Zoe Scarlett and I sat down to play. That is when it all began. Zoe and Scarlett sit back and Rachel and I battle it out. She beats me by one little white ball every time. She cheers and yells in your face! The little girls we bought the game for laugh at us and after a while we realize whats going on. I am not the Hungry Hippo Champion but theres always tomorrow.

Tree

2010-05-15T16:13:00.000-07:00

Something my Grandma Rae taught me was the value of money. She always said if you want something then write it down on a list and wait for thirty days. If you still want it by the end of thirty days then buy it. As most of my friends know I am an awful impulse buyer and am basically no fun to shop with. Well today I finally bought something i have wanted for about two years. Its a silver tree. Its from Z Gallary and I love it. Now keep in mind it is a two hundred dollar tree so it took me a long time to finally fork over the cash. But its art and I love art. I have always wanted to be an art history major...will never be an art history major...so i like to fill my room with different cool pieces of art. My latest addition....this silver tree! I love the new addition to my room. it makes me feel fancy and sophisticated. The picture does not even do it justice

Therapy With Kesha

2010-05-15T09:54:00.001-07:00

Sometimes life gets over whelming and just straight up boring. I remember last year in Model UN Emily Salvastano and I drove to our Night MUN class together in the convertable. To remedy the boredom that would for sure ensue....we would car dance. Hard core. People cheered. This is how I have therapied myself for years. Dancing is just the best release. It makes you outlandishly happy and doesn't cost a sinlge thing. Once in a hwile Kricket and I will like to pull over in our car to get out and dance on the street. Mrs. Snyder says this is a healthy thing to do so...if she says its ok then it is! Lately though I have taken to daning in the dark Stapley Parking lot with ALisha and even sometimes with Delaney. It is the perfect way to end anyday or to celebrate the end of a lousy one. Stats are in..."Endorphins make you happy and happy people just don't kill their husbands"!