a small update.

well.  it's been a cool minute since i have posted anything.  wanna know why?  unemployment=boring life.  yep.  i still haven't found a job.  it is really starting to take a toll on me.  the frustrating thing is that i haven't even had any bites.  i have had ONE interview since i have lost my job.  ONE.  i really have no idea what is going on.  every single job that i have applied for is one that i am more than qualified for (with a few that i know i am nowhere near qualified for, but i apply anyway).  seriously i really don't know what is happening or why i haven't found anything.  i have a good resume, i have a good cover letter.  so what is my problem?  it's a real kicker to my self esteem.  i am trying to stay positive by telling myself that it just means the job i am supposed to have hasn't come along yet, but that gets difficult sometimes.  oh well.  guess i'll just keep chugging along.

on a different note, i have committed to run in the Red Rock Relay in moad next may.  whyyyyyyy you may ask.  the answer--i have no idea.  actually it is because i am desperate to see my bestest friends from high school who are all running.  brit lives in oklahoma and rosey lives in california, and both are coming to run.  so i committed to running it.  which means i have committed to making huuuuuuge fool of myself.  i hope no one is there to video tape...

besides teaching myself to run (that's right.  i have to teach myself to run because i hate it so much that i refuse to do it), i am making a healthy lifestyle change.  i'm trying to eat healthier and be more active.  and today, I WORE MY SKINNY PANTS.  not my skinny-legged jeans.  but my skinny pants that i got like 3 years ago.  yep.  i think that deserves a round of applause.

i am getting excited for christmas.  just like the song says--it's the most wonderful time of the year!  i looooooove christmas.  it makes me happy.  and as much as i hate unemployment, i am glad that it did happen this time of year.  it gives me a lot of time to soak in the all the wonderfulness that is around me.  i'm even throwing an ugly sweater party this year.  it is going to be the social event of the season.  yep.  i am getting excited.

i do have to say though, that as much as a i loooooooooove the holidays, it is a hard time for me.  it really just reminds me of how lonely i am.  i am 24 years old and painfully single.  i want someone to go to all of those holiday parties and to see the lights at temple square with and to buy presents for and to kiss under the mistletoe and to have a date for new years eve and all of the rest of the fun stuff.  instead i am left trying to come up with excuses as to why i can't go out with my coupled/engaged/married friends and praying that none of my other single friends find a significant other...don't judge me for wanting others to be unhappy too.  :)

so for now i guess i will just spend my time watching christmas movies and wasting away the days on pinterest (greatest. invention. EVER.).  i hope everyone else has a suuuuuuuuuuper holiday!  merry christmas and much love!

feel free to judge.

i am one of thoooooooose people.  halloween is over and guess what?  i am listening to christmas music.  yep.  i do not wait for thanksgiving to be over.  as soon as halloween ends, i am ready to move on to christmas.  judge away.

missing.

i am feeling a wave of nostalgia as of late.  i just seem to be missing a lot of things, people, experiences.  life was so much simpler back when...(which reminds me a the tim mcgraw song "back when"...not my favorite, but fitting for today).  Here are some things i miss...

-my grandparents.  it has been 5 1/2 years since my grandma passed away, and 2 years since my grandpa passed.  i thought it would get easier with time, but i think i miss them more and more every day.
-utah state.  college life was so fun.
-not paying any bills.  being an adult sucks.
-summer.  i am missing summer earlier this year than usual.  usually i don't whine about wanting summer back until january.
-the era of the boy bands.  nsync, please come back to me!
-people of my past.  i know that i had to cut some of these people out of my life because they were toxic and always bringing me down, but i do miss them.  there was a reason we were friends once before, right?
-alllllllllll those super friends who don't live close to me (and the ones that do live close to me but i never get to see)..sucks growing up and growing apart.
-the fruity, zebra bubble gum.  i don't remember what it is called, but it was sure delicious!

on a happier note...i crossed off an item on my bucket list:  black eye.  yep.  i've always wanted a black eye.  all my years playing sports and getting elbows the face, i never got one.  then last week, i was playing volleyball and got rocked harrrrrrrrd when a very large man ran into me.  we were both going for the ball.  i wish someone would have got it on film.  i suspect it looked like something straight from a movie, all slow motiony and stuff.  it broke my nose, and i finallllllly got my black eye.  fortunately, i fixed the crookedness myself when i was blowing my nose in the church bathroom, so i didn't have to have a doctor rebreak it and then set it.  now it is still a little swollen and a little sore.  it hurts to blow my nose and i feel congested a lot.  but for the most part, it is good.  yay for broken nose!

i still don't have a job.  i didn't get the one i interviewed for.  bummer because it paid a lot.  oh well.  i feel like things will work out the way they are supposed to.  since i am getting unemployment and have some income coming in, i am focusing my time on finding the right job and not just any job.  it has been nice being able to sleep in and hang out with friends later than 10 pm.  but i do feel like i am going stir crazy.  i feel like i am not using my brain to it's full capability and that is bugging me.  sitting at home all day every day is not my idea of a good time.

ok.  that's all.  peace.  love.  rock and roll.

betrayal

monday after i posted the last post, i found out some more about the circumstances involving my being laid off. one of my coworkers, i'll call him d-bag, and i were friends from day one.  we got along really well and liked to joke around.  after about a month or so of working there, d-bag added me as a friend on facebook.  against my better judgement, i confirmed him.  i hesitated because facebook can be a pretty personal thing (and i have a hard time not voicing my opinions freely and openly), and i wasn't sure i wanted a coworker knowing that much about me.  but i did it anyway.  throughout the months, i kind of began to regret it.  he made fun of me for liking "big brother" and when i got my legs waxed.  still, it wasn't anything i should have been concerned about.

it was no secret at work that my boss and i did not get along.  in fact, d-bag was a source of comfort for me on days when i wanted to quit.  he let me know that everyone else in the office appreciated the job i was doing.  he also told me that every other person in the office felt the same way about the boss, that everyone had problems working for him.  after a particularly long day of being yelled at, i put on facebook that i wanted to look for a new job.  the next day, d-bag messaged me on our instant message system and asked me if i was ok and if i wanted to talk about it.  before i said anything, i asked him if it was just between the two of us and to please not say anything to anyone.  he said, and i quote "facebook stays on facebook".  so i told him that i didn't get paid enough money to deal with the stress of working with my boss, and that sometimes i felt like i was being taken advantage of.  

come to find out, he went to said boss, human resources, and every.other.employee telling them that i was running my mouth about not making enough money to sit around and do nothing all day.  and that is the reason why i lost my job.  not because "it is just not economical for the company" to keep me at my wage.  not because i had stopped performing my duties satisfactorily.  but because a person i thought was my friend, a person i trusted, dug into my life pretending to care and then twisted my words around.  i honestly have never felt more betrayed in my life.  a person i trusted, a person who pretended to be my friend completely stabbed me in the back.  

i know that this was my fault.  i should not have said anything.  but i honestly thought that i could trust this person.  we had been friends since i started.  but i guess that doesn't mean anything to some people.  i have learned my lesson, though, and will never. ever. ever. again make that mistake.  

ugh.  stupid people.

there's a first time for everything.

ever been laid off before?  me either.  until friday, that is.  as i was locking the doors and getting ready to leave, my peach of a boss calls me into his office to tell me that "it just isn't economical" for the company to keep me at the wage they are paying me (oh?  the wage that isn't too far above minimum wage that i have been struggling to survive on for the past 5 months?  that wage?  ok.  cool).  so they are going back to a minimum wage employee that will be "strictly there to answer phones and greet guests".  the thing that pisses me off is that our firm is working on more projects now than when i started.  so clearly, it is not an economic situation.  it's not secret that i can't stand the man, and that i have had to go to the hr lady and the president of the company on more than one situation because of the way he has treated me.  so, if you don't like me because i won't take you treating me like an indentured servant, then own it!  don't hide behind some economical/financial bull shit excuse.  i have a degree in business.  i am not naive or stupid.  i know how things work.  do you wanna know what i don't think is "economical"?  paying him a laaaarge salary to have him sit at his desk and sleep.  i wish i was being paid to take a nap.  so now i have two weeks left of work and then i am back to this unemployed business.  i had an interview on friday for a job that i think i could really like, so i'm hoping that works out.  if not, i will go back to the search.  bummer.

wanna know what else bothers me about that whole "situation"?  he told me at 4:50 on friday afternoon (way to ruin a weekend, right?).  if he had told me the day before or even just a little earlier that day, i could have gone to the usu-byu football game.  i had an opportunity to go.  but i decided to stay and work.  maybe it is a good thing i couldn't go, because it was a heartbreaking game for my ags.  being an aggie fan is so stressful sometimes.

on a lighter note, didn't you just looooooooooooooooooooooove general conference?  i did.  like loved it a whole lot.  i am so proud to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, proud to be called a "mormon".  my favorite talk (and i don't have my notes with me so i don't remember who gave it) was the one that talked about "waiting on the Lord".  it seemed to be exactly what i needed to hear at that time.  waiting on the Lord means to hope and have faith in His timing.  that is what i am going to have to do a lot of in the coming days, weeks, months.  everything always seems better after spending two days listening to the apostles of the Lord and getting such inspiring revelation.  i love it.  can't wait for the conference edition of the ensign to come out!

i remember writing a couple months ago and saying how i was just waiting for that next crappy thing to come along.  looks like it has.  if anyone has any jobs they know about, pleeeeeeease let me know.  being unemployed is not good for my sanity.

until then.  peace.

a bunch of crap you didn't want to know.

-i love getting mail.  when i was unemployed, the highlight of my day was always mail day.  and now, i come home from work and ask my mom every.single.day if i got mail that day (i usually don't.  i need a pen pal).

-i once bought chapstick from bath & body works.  it was $7.  i never forgave myself for it.

-my favorite treat is chocolate covered pretzels.  i never get tired of them.  in fact, i made my mom buy me a giant bag from costco the other day.  i have had to ration them out so i didn't down the whole package in one day.  don't worry, there is still a significant amount left.  

-sometimes i blog stalk people i don't know.  and then i read about their cute "how i met my husband" stories and get sad.  i want a cute story like that.

-i wish i was brave enough to pick up my life and move where no one knows me.  sometimes a fresh start is sounds really appealing.

-i used to be the most anti-diet coke person there was.  now i can't seem to get enough of it.  seriously.  i feel like one is permanently attached to my hand.

-i wish that i had the vocal pipes of a black lady.  that might sound racist, it's not.

-i can't wait until that time when i have kids.  i looooooove kids.  i think i'll be a good mother some day.  i'm not ready now, but i am anxiously awaiting when it is that time for me.

-i miss my grandma's pancakes.  no one has ever made pancakes like her.  they were dense and not really at all fluffy...and i like it better that way.  my mom says it's because grandma used the greasy fat from bacon or melted butter.  my aunts always say grandma's stuff tasted better because she made it with love (cheesy much?).  i think it is because my grandma was just awesome.  no one is as awesome as she was.

-i used to not appreciate general conference.  at all.  i can hardly remember anything from any conference before  my 22 birthday.  now i can't get enough of it.

-i feel like i have lost the touch of making new friends.  i don't really know why.  maybe people like me less than before?  maybe i like other people less?  maybe i'm destined to be a hermit?  i don't know.

-i'm obsessed with leggings.  i would wear a flowy dress with leggings every day.  it's like wearing sweats that are work appropriate.

-i'm obsessed with zooey deschanel.  her show '"new girl" is freaking awesome.  i think she is so great.

-i love being sore after a good work out.  my favorite kind of sore comes on the morning after a really intense night of volleyball.

-i love fresh peas.  i don't think there is anything better than eating peas straight from the pod after they are picked from the garden.

-on the other hand, i hate cooked peas.  they make me want to throw up.  when i was little, i used to shove them in my napkin so my mom thought i ate them.

-i sometimes feel like i don't fit in anywhere, even though i know there are places that i will always belong.

-i have to stop myself from rocking out at work while listening to pandora.  there are some songs, fleetwood mac especially, that just stirs up a need to belt.

-i wish i was creative.  i see so many people i know making this cute stuff for cheeeeap.  i'm afraid i am going to have to forgo my frugality and buy the expensive originals because i just can't do this creating thing.

red box

not that red box.  although, who doesn't like to get newly released movies for a dollar?  when you can find a red box location with the movie you want, that is.  no, the little red box i am talking about is that blasted facebook notification icon.  who doesn't love to get on their facebook page and seeing that crimson square?  it means someone found something you said important or funny.  it is instant validation.  "hey you.  you are smart. you are funny.  you are better than everyone else.  really, you just rock.  run for president.  i bet you could win."

i admit.  i spend a lot of time thinking about what i can say to make that perfect status.  i try to be witty.  and a lot of time i succeed.  wanna know why?  movie quotes.  song lyrics.  occasionally my own funniness (although i think i am funnier than i actually am).  and i fail miserably sometimes.  at that point, i delete the post and spend 20 minutes trying to come up with something better.  this system seems to have a pretty high success rate.  go me.

it's like magic really, if you think about it.  this little red box is like an instant self-esteem boost.  wouldn't it be great to have that little square pop to tell you how awesome you are whenever you are feeling sad?  i want one to just sit on my shoulder at all times.  some people have an angel and devil.  nope.  forget that.  just give me little facebook notification box and i'll be good to go.  bahhhh only joking.  mostly anyway.

i admit, i wish we lived in a world where that awesome feeling just came all day, every day for every person.  but until then, little red box of wonderful, keep 'em coming, would ya?  much love.

Happy birthday, Baby Girl!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AVERY!!!!  

I feel so lucky to have 2 of the sweetest nieces EVER to grace the face of this earth, and this girl is one of them.  Looooooooove you, baby girl!   

advise me.

i have recently been solicited to "spice" things up in my singles ward.  apparently there has been a hard time getting people to attend fhe and activities.  it's because the things we are doing are boring, if you ask me.  so i was asked to come up with some ideas for family home evening and ward activity night that could possibly draw a larger crowd.  the problem is--i am not so stellar at coming up with ideas.  tell me the idea, and i am more than happy to plan it all out, down to the last detail.  but that creative bone that some people have, i think i was skipped over when they were handing those out.  good thing i know some awesome people who are willing to help a girl out...right???  what are some of activities that you have done in your wards (single or family) that are just soooooo much fun that people can't help but want to come?  what are some service activities that are fun and can involve a lot of people?  what are some fun activities that can be done away from the church house, ie scavenger hunts, camp fire/dutch oven, frisbee golf, etc?  how can we draw out those members who don't really come to things like fhe?  how can we unify the members of the ward through activities?

as a member of the church who used to hate going to fhe and activities, i can fully understand why these people don't want or like to come.  i firmly believe that a lot of the reason they don't come is because they are not interested in the activity going on.  and i'm not saying that every week has to be some big spectacle with fireworks and field trips and excitement, but i do feel like it is needed sometimes.  people will stop coming to fhe if they feel like is a gospel doctrine sunday school lesson all over again (yes, that has been my experience lately).

so.  do me a solid and think back to alllllllllll of those activities you have been to (good and bad) and give me some advice.  because it makes me sad that more than half of the ward doesn't go activities and knowing that we can do something to fix that.

*let me apologize ahead of time if this offends anyone, especially if someone from my ward is reading this.  that was not my intention.  

Jammin'

I'm a little bit obsessed with music. And by a little, I mean a lot. I don't know why, but for some reason I think that almost every single song ever written was meant for me. Conceited much? Maybe. But I have decided to share some of my favorites with you...these are the songs that I NEVER skip on my iPod and the ones that I am dying to hear on the radio. But remember...if you like them and jump on the bandwagon, I get credit for it. :)

-Garth Brooks: What She's Doing Now

-Adele: Someone Like You

-Christina Perri: Arms

-Green Day: Wake Me Up When September Ends

-Tilly and the Wall: Let It Rain

-Florence + the Machine: Dog Days are Over -- I just want to say that I knew this song WAY before Eat, Pray, Love made it famous. Like 9 months before.

-Fountains of Wayne: Hackensack

-Eminem: My Name Is...

-Jimmy Eat World: Hear You Me

-George Strait: Marine Del Ray

-Les Mis Soundtrack: Stars

-Tim McGraw: All We Ever Find

-Jack Johnson: Enemy

-Kalai: Be Still My Soul

-KISS: Beth

-Alan Jackson: Between the Devil and Me

-Iron & Wine: Flightless Bird, American Mouth

-Fleetwood Mac: Dreams

-Hawthorne Heights: Decembers

-Brand New: The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot

-Miranda Lambert: Bring Me Down

-Finally Friday: Catch a Glance

-Kenny Chesney: You and Tequila

-Chicago: If You Leave Me Now

-Steve Holy: Come On Rain

-Randy Porter: Condition of Desperation

-Tanya Tucker: Jose Quervo

-Duran Duran: Rio

-Marty Robbins: El Paso

-Rogue Wave: Eyes

-Andrew Bird: Fake Palindromes

-A Fine Frenzy: Almost Lover

-Dwight Yoakam: Fast as You

-Queen: Fat Bottomed Girls

-Glee Cast: Marry You

-Dan Fogelberg: Run for the Roses

-The Beatles: Yesterday

-Charlie Daniel's Band: The Devil Went Down to Georgia

-Gnarls Barkley: Crazy

-Owl City: The Saltwater Room

-Blake Shelton: She Wouldn't Be Gone

-Adam Levine: Moves Like Jagger -- OBSESSED

-We Shot the Moon: Hope

-Mumford and Sons: The Cave

-Death Cab for Cutie: Follow You Into the Dark

-Pat Benatar/Cyndi Lauper/Glee Cast: Total Eclipse of the Heart

-The Lemonheads: Into Your Arms

-The Ataris: The Boys of Summer

-Garrett Hedlund: Hide Me Babe

-Beyonce: Listen

-The Eagles: Best of My Love

-Chris Ledoux: Ridin' for a Fall

-Phantom Planet: California

-Miranda Lambert: The House That Built Me

-Merle Haggard: Silver Wings

-Foreigner: Juke Box Hero

-Garrett Hedlund: Timing is Everything

-Jim Sturgess & Joe Anderson: Strawberry Fields Forever

-George Strait: Last in Love

-Theory of a Dead Man: Not Meant to Be

-Coolio: Gangsta's Paradise

-Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss: Whiskey Lullaby

-Reba McEntire: You Lie

-Zac Brown Band: Colder Weather

-Quietdrive: Birthday

-Glee Cast: Hello

-Timbaland: The Way I Are

-Jason Mraz: Please Don't Tell Her

-Guns 'N Roses: Paradise City

-Rupert Holmes: Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

-Sublime: Santeria

-Neil Diamond: Hello Again

-Tiffany: I Think We're Alone Now

-Maroon 5: Won't Go Home Without You

-Billy Joel: She's Always a Woman

-Ben Folds Five: Brick

-Michael Jackson: Will You Be There -- Free Willy, anyone?

-Dashboard Confessional: Stolen

-Sugarland: Stay

-Coldplay: The Scientist

-Joe Nichols: She Only Smokes When She Drinks

-OneRepublic: Come Home

-Kenny Rogers: The Gambler

-Chamillionaire: Good Morning

-Vega 4: Life is Beautiful

-Big & Rich: Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)

-Secondhand Serenade: Stranger

-Jet: Look What You've Done

-Imogen Heap: Hide and Seek

-Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit

-Toto: Africa

I know this list is LONNNNNNNNG, and believe me, I trimmed it down a LOT. So if you ever get bored and want some AWESOME music, give it a little look through. You won't be disappointed. :)

Who doesn't like free stuff???

Guys. Another giveaway from those cute girls at Pretty Life Anonymous. And let me tell you, these bracelets are ADORABLE. I want one. If I don't win, I may just have to buy one for myself. But, by the power of positive thinking, I'm pretty sure I'm going to win. :)

Let me tell you a funny story...

So this past Sunday, there was a fireside for my stake. (Sidenote: the guy who was speaking rocked. Back to the story.) Caitlin and I were running just a teeny tiny bit late, and had to walk in after it had already started. My brother was saving us seats, which was very nice of him. But they were on the other side of the chapel, in the front, with 2 guys sitting on the end so we had to climb over them. Everyone was watching us walk in...I'm just glad I didn't trip off of my heels and embarrass myself. So we get all seated, and I see this guy staring at me. I was a little bit confused about why he was looking at me so much since I did not know this person. I could tell right away that he was handicapped, so I kinda just smiled and turned my head. Next thing I know, he gets up from where he is sitting on the front row, walks back to my bench, climbs over the 2 other fellas, and sits right next to me. He shakes my hand, gives me a hug and says "Best friends? Best friends forever?" I was a little confused, so I just kinda nodded my head. Then he grabs my hand, holds on for dear life, and lays his head on my shoulder. After like 7 minutes, he switches hands, and interlaces our fingers, slides a little closer, and tries to pull me as close as possible.

Now, I had no idea what to do. And I could not stop laughing. And every time I looked at my sister, she busted up laughing. It was a little comical. After about 15 minutes of hand-holding, my new BFF let go of my hand, jumped up, climbed back over the top of the 2 gentlemen, and went to find a new girl to sit by. He proceeded to do this throughout the fireside. I think I counted about 9 other girls he went over to. And here I thought I was special.

After President Samuelson was done speaking, the stake graciously provided us with brownies and ice cream. Cait and I were standing around talking to some friends, when my new found friend sneak attacked me from behind again and grabbed my hand. The others looked on in confusion as he layed his head on my shoulder (which was no easy task since I am so tall and he wasn't really). He apparently got bored with me again, and moved on to his next sighting, leaving me wondering what the H just happened at this CES fireside. And I still don't know his name.

*Disclaimer: I have absolutely no issue with handicapped people. In fact, I think they are great. I have no intention of offending anyone with handicapped family members. I just thought this was a funny story, and one that has gotten a lot of laughs out of me and the people witnessing this humorous experience. :)

B.A.R.G.A.I.N

Who doesn't loooooooove a good deal? Well. Let me just share with you this rockin' blog that I was introduced to. It's called The Pretty Life Anonymous. These 2 sisters never buy any item of clothing that is more than $25...and most of their stuff is thrifted (I don't know how they find such cute stuff at the DI, but that is another topic for another day).

Currently they are having a giveaway for some of the cutest earrings I have ever seen, and I don't even really love earrings that much. Check it out. Maybe you'll win...although, if you do, I'll hate you because that means I didn't win.

Sibs.

I have a pretty great family. We're really funny. I think if someone based a sitcom after us, it would do really well (except they would have to throw in all of that Hollywood-trashiness stuff). Here is why I like them:

TASHINA
Back when we were growing up, I think she thought of me as her stupid little sister. We fought ALL. THE. TIME. Constantly. I blame that on the fact that we shared a room for wayyyyyy too long. Now she is all married and has 3 super kids. She's an excellent mother and someone I would look to for advice when I have my own kids. Because we were too busy fighting, I never saw her testimony of the Church when we were younger. But I see how much she loves the Gospel while she teaches her kids about it. She's also pretty stinking funny. I love going shopping with her, especially because she is so bluntly honest if something doesn't look good on me.

A shared talent.

JONATHAN
Oh Jon. Jon is the perfect fit for our family. Seriously, Tashina could not have picked someone who better fit in with us. He is like the protective older brother that I never had. I value his opinion on things over most anyone else. He always knows what to say to make me laugh, even if it is highly inappropriate (those are my favorite ones!). Jonathan is a top-notch dad. Those 3 little munchkins love him so much.

This was Baby Girl's first fishing trip!

JD
Brudda. From the time we were little, I always knew Brudda would be in either the military or law enforcement profession. He is always the first one to stick up for me, or anyone else that he cares about...ever the protector. He is so generous and always doing things for people. I am so proud of him and respect him so much for what he does for our country.

Bahahahaha this cracks me up.

CAITLIN
My sissy. We have the same sense of humor...and that makes for some funny shiz. We are forever cracking the same jokes or quoting the same movies at the same time. People think it's planned...it's not. We are just that awesome. She is a freaking awesome basketball player, a talent that I envy (I was never as good as she is). Not too mention she is BEAUTIFUL. I'm glad that we are as close as we are.

San Diego 2009...we got some of the weirdest looks.

Some people are just lucky to be blessed with awesome sibs...looks like I was one of those people. :)

Blog Block

I always feel like I get writer's block when my life is in a good place (which it is right now). My words seem to flow so much more elegantly when I am angry and have to vent about something. You would think that it would be opposite--that I would have a lot to say when I'm content with the way things are. Clearly that is not the case. Whatevs.

Anyway. In case anyone is wondering, I am doing great. I have a job that I love and a boss that I hate. I loathe driving in traffic every single day, but I suppose that it is just something I have to deal with. I love being able to pay my bills without having to stress about money. I love that I can go to a movie and not feel guilty about it. I was dreading going to my singles ward after I moved home, but I surprisingly am having a ton of fun with it. I was just called to the Sports Committee, which is actually pretty awesome. I love sports and it is forcing me to get involved. Last night, I got nailed by a bat during a softball game. I have a pretty sweet bruise. Love me some war wounds.

The only bummer I foresee in my future is Cait moving again. I have looooooved having her home. She is the person I can be my absolute self with and she gives me the confidence to be the bold person I once was. On the plus side---NO MORE ALASKA!!!! That's right. She will now only be an hour and a half away instead of a day and a half. She'll be playing at CEU, down in Price. It also means that we will get to see her play! I can't wait!

Awhile ago, a friend of mine had a link to a blog of an awesome girl back East. This girl has been through a ton and I have really enjoyed reading about her struggles and accomplishments. It really puts my life into perspective when I have days that all I want to do is whine. She kinda rocks. Keep it up, girl! And good luck with your move to DC!

I wish I had something more exciting to say. But, alas, I do not. My life is kinda boring...but a content boring. I'm sure it means that something crappy is going to come up, just to keep me on my toes. Or to give me something to blog about. Welp...bring it on.

A Gentleman's Response...

Remember this? Well. I did get a response back from my favorite new friend. I must say, I was quite surprised that he responded...and not at all surprised with what he said:

"Tell yourself whatever lies make you feel better until all hope of love, family and kids are gone, then wait for the grave. If parading behind some liberal support ideology for fat people makes you happy instead of family, more power to you. The fact that people might feel bad about the truth doesn't mean it's not true -- or that nobody should be allowed to discuss it. The world is what it is, not what you fantasize it is. Wake up."

Being the person I am, of course I had to respond. He never replied.

"So...let me get this straight. All of the guys who married "fat" women did it out of what? Pity? And they all have kids by...artificial insemination? Because no guy will "want to be intimate with a them if they're even a little heavy", right? So obviously any children that are born to a woman who is "fat" must either be by scientific means or divine intervention. Am I understanding this correctly?

Your thoughts on the matter are in no way "truth". It is your own opinion. And it is an opinion that is going to cause a lot of pain and heartache to so many innocent and undeserving people, men and women both. The fact that you KNOW that your "truth" can have such detrimental effects on these people, and you still flaunt them around shows what kind of person you are -- a horrible, unfeeling man who has to make himself feel better by putting others down.

I go to the Riverton YSA 2nd Ward. We meet at 1 pm at the Brookwood building in Riverton, Utah. Feel free to come any time. I'm sure that there are a lot of people, myself included, who would just looooooooooove to meet you."

Well, there you have it folks. I will apparently never be getting married and all I have left to do now is "wait for the grave". Something to look forward to. :)

I'm going to throw up.

A couple of months ago, my friend, Brooke, posted a little something on her blog (being the super blog stalker that I am, it took me almost 2 months to get caught up). She found this AWESOME WEBSITE written by a total D-Bag, who probably needs to be junk-punched. She wrote this really fantastic response to his uplifting words. Brooke has inspired me to write a little response of my own. (Side note: Rachel emailed this winner to see if this was, in fact, for real. He responded in the affirmative.)

*Warning: There is one small, 3-letter expletive in my response. Also. It's kind of long.

Dear "Hopper",

I am also completely baffled as to why a stand-up guy such as yourself has yet to find that perfect woman. I know that, had I met you at my singles ward, I would have tried my hardest to snatch you right up. Of course, that wouldn't have worked out either, since being an average size 14 has doomed me to be single for the rest of my life...unless I quit my job and spend all of my time focusing on losing weight. Naturally.

I honestly and sincerely hope that the many, many girls that attend singles wards and who are "overweight" (as you put it) and are struggling with their size, self-image, and worth of they are do not EVER happen upon your "essay". Did you even think about the negative consequences that your mean, hurtful, and completely untrue words could have on some of these girls? Not only will their self-esteem be shattered, but what if they stop coming to church? People have stopped attending church for a lot less than a feeling of worthlessness. And what about those girls investigating the church? Do you think they would ever attend a singles ward after hearing that, unless they have a perfect body, they'll never be wanted by anyone in the Church? YOU may be confident in the person you are (although, the put-downs of others and your self-congratulatory attitude suggest otherwise), but there are a LOT of people - men and women, members and nonmembers, skinny and overweight - who are not. Did you know...?

• As many as 10 million women and girls suffer from anorexia and/or bulimia, in the United States alone.


• Approximately one million men and boys suffer from anorexia and/or bulimia, in the United States alone.


• An additional 25 million people in the US struggle with binge eating disorder.


• 86% of people with eating disorders report the onset of the illness by the time they reach the age of 20 (by no means is an eating disorder "less severe" when the eating-disordered person is above the age of 20).


• An estimated 85-95% of people with anorexia nervosa and 65% of people with binge eating disorders are female.


• A shocking 81% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat.


• Young women that have anorexia are 12 times more likely to die than other women their age.


• (I found these facts here)

Did you ever consider the possibility that maybe you, in your high & mighty wisdom and expert analysis, have already met the woman who would have been your perfect wife? But instead of giving her a chance to prove she is thoughtful, caring, nurturing, and willing to accept YOU and all of YOUR FLAWS, you decided she wasn't worth your time because she didn't fit your mold of what you think the perfect woman should be? You are so wrapped up in your skewed perception of reality that you are missing out on all of the amazing women who surround you.

I am also wondering - are you implying that every single young man in the church, including yourself, is addicted to porn? Furthermore, are you suggesting that the females who attend singles wards have the looks of porn stars? I am aghast that you can make such bold-faced accusations as to know, within seconds, which priesthood holders are addicted to porn, specifically by the women they "glance" at. EVERYONE GLANCES AT EVERYONE. You said there are usually only 4 girls per ward that you would even consider dating--obviously this means that you have "glanced" at every single girl in the room. Are YOU addicted to porn?

As a faithful and devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I try not to judge fellow human beings, and especially other members, too harshly and try to accept people for all of who they are; and I generally do a pretty good job at it. But I am completely and utterly disgusted by you and your apparent "expertise" on the young single adults within the Church. Your narcissism is worse than any other person I have ever been in contact with. "I have never broken the Law of Chastity - even though the thought as crossed my mind a few times, and has crossed the minds of girls I'm dating more than a few times"...with such obvious and over-powering studliness, how do these women EVER CONTROL THEIR URGES???? Your partial ownership in a private plane should be enough on its own to have all of the ladies proposing to you. Not to mention, I'm positive those piercing blue eyes that cause "whole rooms of people to fall silent and stare as you enter" make all of the girls go weak at the knees--be sure to have a fan and steady arm ready to help all of them that will inevitably swoon. However, your thinning brown hair is quite the serious problem...maybe it is one reason why you're not married.

In all seriousness, do you REALLY not understand WHY you are still single? Since this little essay has, no doubt, been circling around the LDS YSA community, I'm sure you've had a lot of suggestions on how to solve your little problem. Here's my advice--stop being such a self-absorbed ass. If you do ever get married and procreate, I hope your wife has the good sense to teach your children to be more accepting of people who don't fit your vision of perfect. And PLEASE, if your son should end up with your ridiculous views of what a woman should be, do us all a favor and send out a Public Service Announcement with the area you live in...I would hate to have any daughter of mine subjected to such a toxic influence.

Sincerely,

A completely-happy-with-my-size-14-self YSA member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Yes. I did send this to him yesterday. I don't expect a response, although I would reallllllly like one.

Quirky?

I have recently come to a conclusion...I am really kinda weird. I do some oddddddddd things. Let me share some with you.

*Sometimes I miss the tube when trying to put the mascara wand back in. Then I end up with mascara all over my fingers.
*I refuse to drink milk unless it is 2% from Costco. All other milk tastes weird to me. Except chocolate milk, of course.
*I can't go to sleep at night unless I pee right before I turn the lights off.
*I have a crazy, over-active memory...I rarely forget anything. Sometimes this freaks people out, so I pretend I have forgotten something, when in reality, I remember everything about it. Some goes for people that I met once, years ago.
*I frequently start talking in random (and very bad) accents while talking to strangers. Most of the time, more than one accent comes out during a conversation.
*I hate wearing shoes.
*I can stick my tongue up my nose.
*I loooooove that I have the talent to stick my tongue up my nose.
*I can name almost all of the Idaho counties and county seats just from the identifiers on Idaho license plates. 1M-Madison County, Rexburg; 8B-Bonneville County, Idaho Falls; 1A-Ada County, Boise; 5C-Clark County, Duboise; etc.
*I have the uncanny ability to memorize lines from movies, a talent I share with my sister. There have been times when we have had full conversations of just movie quotes.
*I can rarely fall asleep anywhere but my own bed...unfortunately that means no power naps for me.
*I can make some of the ugliest faces ever seen and they are usually caught on camera.
*Public restrooms don't gross me out (even though they probably should).
*I have a tendency to talk reallllly fast.
*I honestly love to cry. It's one of my favorite things.
*I like to play out in my head the way I think conversations should/will go.
*I cannot go a day without getting some sort of ink from a writing utensil on my hands.
*I have a hard time relaxing. Even when I am watching tv, I have to multitask and play on my computer at the same time.
*I have an obsession with doodling my own name.

See? Weirrrrrrrrrrrrd.

I've been waiting an entire year for this...

AND IT IS FINALLY HERE!!!!! Big Brother makes summer even more awesome.

Best. Summer. Show. EVER.

My bad.

"Do you ever feel you've become the worst version of yourself? That a Pandora's box of all your secret, hateful parts - your arrogance, your spite, your condescension - has sprung open? Someone upsets you and instead of just smiling and walking away, you zing them? "Hello. It's Mr. Nasty." I'm sure you have no idea what I'm talking about."

Why is it so easy to become your worst to the people you love the most and who know you the best? I admit, I am guilty of it. And I think the rest of my family is too. In fact, I know they are. After almost 24 years on this earth, I have come to know that when my family spends too much time together, we get mean.

I can tell that is the case with my little sister and I. I looooooooooove my sister, Caitlin. I consider her one of my best friends, and we usually get along really well. But sometimes, we hit that little bump. And we know exactly what to say to make it hurt the worst. It seems to be happening a lot lately.

I have a crappy talent of being able to say things that really hurt (sometimes I wonder if it is a family trait). And after the fact, I feel really horrible. It isn't something that I'm proud of. But it has become a habit.

Who really likes to admit their flaws? I don't. Sometimes I like to pretend I'm perfect. :) Buttttttt....I'm not. Someone pleasssssssssssse tell me that my family is not the only one that this happens to.

Tired.

Literally. I am so tired all the time. Lately, I have begun to wonder if I am going to be sleepy for the rest of my life. It doesn't even matter what time I go to bed or how many hours of sleep I get, I still wake up tired. Every morning that my alarm clock goes off, all I can think is "damn". And I know it is only going to get worse as the years go on.

Damn.

*PS...I don't think that I have any kind of problem besides the fact that I just wake up tired. I feel fine in other ways. It's probably the normal kind of tired that everyone has. I just want to be one of those people who wakes up refreshed every morning. :)

On a less serious note....

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha we are so awesome.

Bahhhhhhhhh.

I need some advice.

A person very close to me seems to be struggling and falling away from the church. The past year, this person was surrounded by a lot of non-members and subjected to a lot of influences that were not the best. As far as the church goes, this person just seems to be going through the motions to please everyone else--going to church but will not get involved, doesn't read the scriptures, refuses to pray, even if it is just a blessing on the food. This person has also started dating a non-member.

So. Help me out. The thing I am struggling with is accepting the choices this person makes and trying not to be too judgemental. I love this person with all of my heart, and it just makes me so sad to see them do stupid things. This person knows better and knows the right things to do. I also know that this person does, ultimately, want the blessings of the Church. This person also gets crazy defensive any time I bring up trying to be better or inviting this person to do things that involve the Church. I just don't want this person to throw their life away for something so stupid.

Seriously. If someone could teach me not to be so judgy of the decisions this person if making, I would kinda love it. :)

Alayna Hope

Alayna Hope Abbott was born December 9, 2010. She weighed 3 lbs, 13 oz and was 17 inches long. When Tracy, my cousin, was 24 weeks pregnant, the doctors found some complications on an ultrasound. After some genetic testing, the doctors confirmed that this little baby had a genetic disorder called Trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 means that there is 3 of the 18th chromosome, and usually means that there will be no brain function and problems with the heart, lungs, intestines, and many other things. Many babies with Trisomy 18 will not carry to full term, and if they do, are most likely only going to live a few short hours.

Alayna surprised us all. After she lived for a week, we all knew it was a miracle. She kept fighting. She survived UTIs, blood transfusions, bacterial meningitis, bronchitis, and so many other things. She spent a good part of her life in the hospital, melting the hearts of all the doctors and nurses at PCMC.

On Wednesday, after weeks of being in the hospital, sweet little Alayna Hope passed away in the arms of her mom. She was 5 1/2 months old. She was truly a miracle and touched the heart of everyone who met her. I know she is not suffering any longer, but it will be hard without this sweet, special girl in our lives. I also know that Heavenly Father sends these special children to only the strongest and most faithful parents. Tracy and her family are truly an inspiration on how to have faith in the Lord's plan and how to love unconditionally.

Please keep Tracy, Joe, Jacob, Regan, Ciara, and Brielle Abbott and everyone else touched by Alayna's sweet spirit in your prayers.

These are a few pictures of sweet Baby Alayna Hope.

This was right after she was born. Her arms and legs were still clenched up.
This is Alayna at 5 weeks.

10 weeks old. Tracy, Joe, and the kids threw her a birthday party every week.

14 weeks old and celebrating St. Patrick's day!

This is the most recent picture I have of her.
She is almost 20 weeks old in this picture.

My Uncle Bill is a very talented poet, and wrote this poem for Alayna after she passed away. I would like to share it with you.

ALAYNA HOPE'S POEM

Don't cry Mommy,

Heavenly Father took me home.

Don't worry Daddy,

Up here I'm not alone.

There's people here that

Love me too.

They cradle and hold me tight.

Great Grandma Hirschi

Rocks me to sleep at night.

So don't cry Mommy,

My love will always be there.

And don't worry Daddy,

Even though it didn't seem fair.

Our Brother made it possible,

To be a family again.

Today I sat on His lap

And put my arms around Him.

So don't cry Mommy,

I'm sorry I couldn't stay.

Don't worry Daddy,

We will be together

Again one day.

Bill Hirschi

5.18.2011

A blog about...poop.

Yes. You read that right. I'm hoping some of you are as immature as I am, so you will appreciate...

THE POOPIE LIST

• 
  
  The Ghost Poopie: The kind where you feel the poopie come out, but there is no poopie in the toilet.
  


• 
  
  The Clean Poopie: The kind where you poopie it out, see it in the toilet, but there is nothing on the toilet paper.
  


• 
  
  The Wet Poopie: The kind where you wipe your butt 50 times and it still feels unwiped, so you have to put some toilet paper between your butt and underwear so you won't ruin them with a stain.
  


• 
  
  The Second Wave Poopie: This happens when you're done and you've pulled your pants up to your knees, and then you realize that you have to poopie some more.
  


• 
  
  The Pop-a-Vein-in-Your-Forehead Poopie: The kind where you strain so much to get it out, you practically have a stroke.
  


• 
  
  The Gassy Poopie: It's so noisy, everyone within ear shot is laughing.
  


• 
  
  The Drinker Poopie: The kind of poopie you have the morning after a long night of drinking. Its most noticeable trait is the skid mark on the bottom of the toilet.
  


• 
  
  The Lincoln Log Poopie: The kind of poopie that is so huge you're afraid to flush without first breaking it into little pieces with the toilet brush.
  


• 
  
  The Corn Poopie: Self explanatory.
  


• 
  
  The Gee-I-Wish-I-Could-Poopie Poopie: The kind where you want to poopie but all you do is sit on the toilet and fart a few times.
  


• 
  
  The Spinal Tap Poopie: That's where it hurts so badly coming out, you would swear it was leaving you sideways.
  


• 
  
  The Wet Cheeks Poopie (The Power Dump): The kind that comes out of your butt so fast, you get splashed with water.
  


• 
  
  The Liquid Poopie: The kind where yellowish-brown liquid shoots out of your butt and splashes all over the toilet bowl.
  


• 
  
  The Mexican Poopie: It smells so bad, your nose burns.
  


• 
  
  The Surprise Poopie: You're not even at the toilet because you are sure you're about to fart, but oops...a poopie!
  


• 
  
  The Dangling Poopie: This poopie refuses to drop into the toilet even though you know you are done poopie-ing. You just pray that a shake or two will cut it loose.

This list was hanging in my bathroom during my last semester of college. Yes, I did live with 5 other girls. And yes, it makes me giggle every time I read it. So sue me. :)

Also.......

LOOK AT ME GO!!!!!!

L.I.F.E.

This is just going to be one of those boring blog posts about my life. Nothing too special. Maybe I'll throw in a random joke somewhere, just to keep things interesting.

After 4 long, horrible, rip-my-hair-out months, I FINALLY FOUND A JOB. And it ROCKKKKKKS. I seriously love it. I am the office manager at an architecture firm in Salt Lake City. I am also doing a lot of the marketing projects...I'm like a marketing assistant to the marketing coordinator. I never ever though I would use my degree, but it looks like my thousands of dollars in student loans aren't going to waste! The people at my job are so fun. My personality fits in great...they give me crap and I give it right back. I don't think I would like my job nearly as much if the employees weren't so stellar.

Along with my job comes BENEFITS!!! If you read the last post, right down there, you would know that I have been uninsured since SEPTEMBER. But starting June 1st, I am free to break my leg and not worry about it! Such a relief. Seriously.


I'm still living at home, but planning on moving out after the summer is over. I thought about finding an apartment sooner, but MY SISSY IS HOME FROM ALASKA FOR THE SUMMER!!! And I want to be home so I can be included in all the fun! We're planning a little road trip to Canada, and I can't even wait. Driving all night and jamming out to music with my momma and sister is the best fun a girl can have.

I have also been working on getting healthier. I have been trying to eat better and reduce my calorie intake. Anyone who really knows me knows how much I LOOOOOVE the sweets. But, I'm doing really well and don't just sit and snack. I bought chocolate that I keep at my desk for the guys in the office, and I am doing really well at not eating it. SNAPS TO ME! I am also making sure I eat at least one fruit and vegetable serving a day. Go me.


Utah State's graduation ceremony is on Saturday. I was originally not going to walk, but now I'm kind of excited for it. I even bought a new outfit. It's smoking hot. I can't wait to wear it.


My next mission: make a killer playlist to listen to at work. Anyone know of some killer, super chill music that I should add to it? I am currently in love with Adele, A Fine Frenzy, Florence + the Machine, Imogen Heap, and such. So something along those lines. :)

Annnnnnnd. I can't think of a funny joke. But you made it all the way to the bottom without one. GOOD JOB!!!

Also...just wanted to add this little picture here because it cracks me up.

I am a HORMONE CASSEROLE!!!!

*FOREWARNING: This is another bit of a rant post. If you are tired of them...well, it doesn't really matter because it is my blog.*

Back in September I turned 23. There is a post about it somewhere down there in blog land. 23 isn't really that significant of a birthday...except to an insurance agency. Well, maybe not every insurance agency, but the one that supplies my mom's medical insurance policy. Apparently, turning 23 means getting kicked off the policy with no notice besides the fine print when you first buy insurance from them (in this case...a really long time ago). Obama passed a law that allows a person to stay on their parents' insurance until they are 26. Unfortunately...that law didn't go into effect until October 1. The insurance kicked me off September 30. And according to the company, there is absolutely no way for me to get back on until the next open enrollment (even though it costs the EXACT SAME AMOUNT for all parties involved whether I am on the policy or not)...in September 2011. So. Here I am. Walking around uninsured and hoping I don't contract a life threatening illness until September. Not having insurance also means that my prescriptions are not covered. I have been off the BC for a month and a half...hence the HORMONE CASSEROLE. I'm not loving it. At all.

Maybe my little debacle from the previous paragraph is effecting every other part of my life, because every time I don't get a job that I apply for, I get more and more upset. Since I have moved home, I have had 5 interviews. And it seems to be the reason for my not getting the position is my qualification level. I sometimes apply for jobs that I am not even remotely qualified for, knowing that it is a long shot, but hoping for a miracle. There aren't many positions that are at my level of qualified-ness, so I mostly apply for entry level jobs. Back when I was preparing for graduation, I accepted that this would be the case. However, I never thought that my being over-qualified would prevent me from getting a job. But that is what keeps happening. All of these places are afraid that I would find a better job and leave since these are such entry-level positions. I try to explain to them that all I'm looking for is stability and the opportunity to prove that I can stay at a job longer than 4 months of a summer. But it doesn't help.

I try not to get upset about it, but the longer I am unemployed, the more irritable I get. I rarely get out of the house because I don't have the need or the money to do things. There are times when I just go walk around Wal-Mart because I think I'll go crazy if I stay indoors much longer. I know things will work out somehow and sometime, but it gets so hard the longer it goes. I hate the restlessness and stir-craziness that comes from being unemployed. Until I find a job, I would love to be able to go out and volunteer or do service, but that takes gas, which I can't afford either.

Anyone have any ideas for a hobby that doesn't cost any money? :) Also...I'm looking for some ideas of books to read. That seems to be my past-time of choice lately. Suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.

Rant.

I need to rant for a minute. Today, I went to a basketball game. Well, 3 basketball games, actually. It was obvious that one of the teams was more experienced and had a bit of an advantage. My mom keeps the books and stats for this team, and I run the scoreboard for the home games. Since we sit at the score table, we hear just about everything--the coaches, players, refs, and fans. We also get to hear the opinion of the person keeping the books for the other team. Today, the whining started before the games ever began. And it just KEPT ON COMING. First of all, the lady had NO CLUE what she was talking about-not even basic basketball 101 (I honestly don't know how she got the job to do the books). Furthermore, she told us that she has no personal stake in these games and is only doing the books for a little extra money. She doesn't have a daughter playing and she doesn't work for the school.

The home-team won all 3 games, but they were by no means "blow-out" games. At the end of the night, this other lady went off on my mom about how "full-court pressing when you are ahead is unsportsman like". After she practically yelled at my mom for about 5 minutes, she then went to the administrator of both the home and away schools and continued to yell about full-court pressing.

Now, correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that how a team keeps their lead? The minute you pull ahead, do you let up to allow the other team to score? NO. It is not fair to either team. The winning team should be allowed to play the best of their abilities, and the team that is down has the right and need to play their very best to try and close the gap.

The whiner is even trying to pass a law to get coaches fired for full-court pressing, if they are ahead by a certain number of points. Fired. Seriously? There is nothing legal or wrong with pressing, even if you are ahead. Thankfully, there is no way anything like this will ever go through.

Let me be clear--I can understand how it is "unsportsman like" to press and run up the points if the final score is, say, 108-3, like a game last week between some different schools. But this was in no way the case tonight. These girls were just trying to make sure they sealed the deal and won the game. There was no mean or malicious intent by the players. They were just playing their basketball game.

Ok. That is enough of my rant and annoyance.
Peace.

Lists.

I have an obsession with lists. Seriously. I make them all the time. While I was in school and bored during class, I would make lists of anything and everything, just to pass the time. Since I have a LOT of favorites...I thought I may as well document them in lists via the blog.

Movies I NEVER get sick of:
1. You've Got Mail
2. Home Alone 2
3. Sleepless in Seattle
4. Easy A
5. Just Friends
6. The Wedding Singer
7. The Italian Job

Favorite Disneys:
1.Beauty and the Beast
2. Tangled
3. Princess and the Frog
(I'm rather impressed with some of what Disney has produced recently)
4. Pocahontas
5. Robin Hood

Reality TV Shows:
1. The Bachelor/Bachelorette
2. The Best Thing I Ever Ate
3. The Next Iron Chef
4. What Not to Wear
5. Say Yes to the Dress
6. Anything on NatGeo

Movies I am EXCITED to See This Year:
1. Country Strong (Thanks to GLEE, I LOVE GWYNETH!)
2. Beastly
3. Gnomeo and Juliet
4. The Roommate (don't judge me)
5. Rango
6. Jane Eyre
7. Rio
8. Fast Five
9. Something Borrowed
10. Cars 2
11. HARRY POTTER!!!
12. Crazy, Stupid, Love
13. Footloose (although, I am more than a little skeptical)
14. The Three Muskateers
15. Breaking Dawn
16. The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made

Biggest Pet Peeves
1. Flimsy silverware
2. People who drive 5 miles under the speed limit while in the fast lane
3. Microwaves that don't stop beeping when you open the door
4. When it takes someone 4 hours to text back (some people are exempt from this pet peeve--Rosemary, that means you. :) )
5. Pens that run out of ink while taking notes (or making lists) in the middle of class
6. Chapstick that leaves a funny film on my lips

Favorite Stores:
1. Costco
2. Old Navy
3. Ross
4. Amazon.com
5. Walmart (once again--don't judge me)

Aspirations for 2011:
1. FIND A JOB
2. Save enough money to go to EUROPE!
3. Meet more single people in the area I am living (Riverton is suffocating me a little)
4. Eat healthier foods--a major task since I have such an addiction to sugar
5. Play more basketball just because I like it
6. Take a roadtrip to California to visit my BFF Rose (Brit--I'll come to Oklahoma next year)
7. Pay off my car
8. Possibly take the GMAT