Just Hangin'

What have you been up to? I get that question all of the time. I feel like people expect to hear something amazing, and usually I don't have an answer other than my go to: just hangin'.  I can never think of what to say when they ask, but I have been up to a lot. I finished all of the things I have to do before starting work including getting my badge, finishing the HR paperwork, and getting my blood drawn and a shot (and they didn't even give me a princess bandaid...). The next day I went back up to the hospital to shadow a couple social workers there. You know how my life is just too exciting for me? Yeah well, I blacked out after visiting a couple patients. If it weren't for the two nurses behind me I would have fallen right to the floor. I was fine right after, but it was weird. I went to meet my mom for lunch but went to the bathroom first where there was soap all over the floor thanks to a child whose owner was MIA. So, of course, I biffed it again and landed hard on my left knee. After lunch I went home because falling twice is my limit. Friday I got to go shopping at the Chi Omega Market with Mom and Lisa. It was weird without Ashley, but I had fun anyway. We bought some really great stuff, and we got wiggle racers for Ryan and me. Two big kids riding two small cars is a sight, but I love them! Saturday I got to go see Mockingjay. This is the first time I didn't see a Hames movie on opening night, but I enjoyed it just as much opening weekend. SO GOOD. What else have I been up to? Staying up late, waking up early, playing with, training, and spoiling my puppy, watching some of my favorite shows and movies, and helping a lady in my ward with a research paper she is doing for the online program BYUI offers. I should learn to answer people better.
Also, my room looks a lot like Christmas. I got a small Christmas tree at Chi Omega since my old one disappeared at school. We also go Vivien a stocking and a Christmas collar. With all of that, a few ornaments, paper snowflakes I made, and presents that I wrapped so I could get them out of my closet, Christmas is coming even if it is only coming to my room.

Thanksgiving Thankfuls

I feel like this month is flying by which means Christmas is getting closer and closer. Oh boy. I need to get going on the presents thing, but for now I am not going to let Thanksgiving pass by without my annual list of things I am thankful for. Some you may realize are the same from last year, but at least I am consistent. 

1. A family that loves me no matter what. I get them for eternity!!
2. My beautiful, ornery, and 100% sassy puppy.
3. The gospel that I can learn from, love, and live every day.
4. A testimony that is forever growing and changing.
5. All of the friends that are always there for me and have given me all those fun, wonderful memories.
6. My job. Even if it is only seasonal.
7. All of the experiences I have been given. Even the hard ones.
8. The colors all around me that I am able to see and enjoy.
9. My talents. Sometimes I feel like I have none, but I am talented in my own special ways.
10. My patriarchal blessing and the promises given to me if I keep the commandments.
11. All I have going for me right now. I mean, seriously, I am only 20!
12. My role models. Where would I be without them?
13. Inspirational quotes that make my heart smile.
14. Sunshine. I just has to be on the list.
15. Uplifting music. Any music that makes you feel happy and just alive.
16. A warm, soft bed because sometimes I just don't want to leave it.
17. Movies. I love them, and they are a part of me.
18. Comfort foods. Popcorn and chocolate milk anyone?
19. BYU. Being a Cougar today and a Cougar forever. Long live the spirit of the Y!
20. Books. The classics, cheesy romance novels, and all the others that I love to read.
21. Having a living Prophet and apostles on the earth whose words I can access at any time.
22. All of the teachers I have had throughout my life that have helped make me who I am today.
23. My most prized possessions that only have meaning to me.
24. Temples. They are beautiful inside and out and make you feel that way too.
25. Seasons because I like the hot and cold, but please let there be moderation in all things!
26. Food and cooking. I love both!
27. Kids because there is so much we can learn from them.
28. Pictures and artwork. I love captured moments that can be kept forever.
29. Those moments when you laugh so hard that tears come and you forget to breathe. I cherish those.
30. Moments, memories, and everything else that reminds me I can do hard things because I can.

I Don't Care If Monday's Blue

Sunday I tried another singles ward. That makes three now. I think someone should write a book about the life of someone in singles wards. Adventures and Mishaps in Singles Wards. Maybe I should write it. Maybe I will. Anyways, there were maybe 12 people there. And the Primary from the family ward before came in and did their program for us. And Sunday School consisted of a teacher without a lesson planned. And Relief Society was a girl reading from the lesson book and sitting on the table with an all too short dress so flashes of red underwear were quite frequent. Sadly, it was still better than the Arlington one.
Monday... Oh Monday... I felt like nothing was going right. I had a job interview, and I was stressed. Good thing I got the position. Otherwise I probably would have broken down in tears right then and there. I mean, the rest of my day consisted of not being able to print my resume, it finally printing but coming out on two pages instead of one, and Vivien eating the paper snowflakes I had taped to my window. But, like I said, I got the job! It is only a seasonal job, but it is something. And, maybe it will give me a foot in the door for a job when this seasonal one is over.
The rest of the week went as usual. Vivien being a terror even though she has been sleeping more because it is so cold outside, errands, paperwork for my new job, and most importantly, talking to my friends. Julie Anne even wrote me a poem. I love all of my friends, and now that my picture board has pictures of all of them I love going in my room even more than I used to. It got cold here which means I can bring out the 2/3 of my wardrobe that has been hidden in a drawer or in the back of my closet. Winter!! It's like Utah, and it makes me smile. Wow. I never thought I would say that. Except, my feet do get cold at night because I don't like wearing socks to bed. I wouldn't mind it if Vivien, who is a little space heater, would let me put my feet on her. It's just bad because every time I do so she growls at me. This week I have also been cooking dinner a lot. I have been craving Cafe Rio. We don't have those in Texas so I made their pulled pork. Oh my yum. Dad said if it didn't get me a husband nothing would. It was that good.
Ryan got off school early today. Which obviously means that we made a pan of brownies and at it with forks while watching a movie wrapped in a blanket and later eating leftover pulled pork. If you want the recipe here it is!