Cheesecake, a Wishlist, and Dear Dani

When you go wedding shoe shopping with your roommate, don't find any shoes, make grown-up decisions to not go crazy and buy everything in JCrew, can't find the ring you are looking for, are disappointed by the lack of shoes in the stores at the mall, and are somewhat creeped out and in shock from a woman telling you the gospel is great because it teaches repentance as she strokes the BYU Y printed on your tshirt on your chest, you may have a crazy adventure trying to find the Cheesecake Factory you know is in the mall. When you find it, don't wait in line. Go straight to the little counter and only get a slice of cheesecake. Make sure you have a friend with you. Splitting two flavors makes for a wonderful experience. You rush to your car and hurriedly take your prize out of the bag. Your forks soon get slimy going from flavor to flavor. You gorge only allowing the words, "Yum.." and "uh-huh" escape between chews. By the end, which is really less than five minutes later, all you can do is look at your beloved roommate and laugh because, yeah, that just happened and you just love every minute you spend with her. 

Thank you JCrew for the most unrealistic wishlist. Thank you Cheesecake Factory for not letting us down. Thank you, Dani, for always being the best company a girl can have. 

Just My Dose of Cuteness for the Day

Also, sorry for the double post today, but get ready for one of the cutest music videos you have ever seen in your life! One day... One day this will happen for me!

What the Hail?!

So this one time, I had a Relief Society breakfast, a pie night, and a dessert night all on Sunday. I also got to hang out with Kennedy. I seriously love her. We laughed and let everything that was stressing us out school-wise behind. I smiled which doesn't sound like a big deal, but when I am at home, it hasn't been coming out quite as much as it usually does. Monday I woke up so tired, and it proved to be the stereotypical Monday. Tuesday was like a Monday too though. I ran all over the place and went to devotional where the speaker gave us "the talk." He compared sexual sin to a warm, moist cookie. Why moist?! He said holding hands was like being in the same room as fresh cookies, kissing was holding it up to your nose to sniff it, and making out was nibbling the cookie. I agree with Michael (the officer I was sitting by for the whole thing) when he said, "Dang! Just give me a big chewy brownie! I'm so done with cookies!" It was just a weird hour of my life. Hump day was amazing though. I started talking to Justin more an more throughout the week which means the smile is back, eyes glitter, and I radiate sunshine whether it is out or not. I love on Wednesdays when my teachers tell me to have a great weekend. That makes the crazy week even more worth it. Thursday is the true Hump Day for me. I am already in the weekend mindset, and I am so tired from the insane week that I go through. I think this was the day it rained/hailed. I missed it by a matter of minutes, but my coworker came in drenched. I went home later that night for Kaitlyn to say, "What the hail!" I laughed so hard. So, next Friday is Parents Weekend. Ah!!!! Not ready! So many things to do that we didn't know we had to do. Not enough time... That night, I got a software update on my phone. After playing with my phone, learning to work everything again on it, and talking to Justin all night, I was so ready for Friday. My phone told me I had an early start and my alarm was set for seven in the morning. Okay great. At 7:57, I was woken up by a text from my friend asking if we were still going out to breakfast at 8. I responded and was at the restaurant by 8:05 dressed, hair in a ponytail, and ready to go. We had a wonderful breakfast and a good talk. I always love my dates with Christina. I am glad I get to work with her again so we can still have them. I went home to look a little more put together, and went off to work. Work was wonderful, and even my boss commented on how productive I was with absolutely no direction since he was gone the whole time. I got this. Having an interview with my teacher right after work threw off my groove a little. I was flustered from the crazy day at work, and then she sat so close to me that her knees were touching mine and she leaned in even closer to my face. I like her but not that much. I came home to talk to my momma, and then finally decided to go to the temple since I made the goal to do so once a week and hadn't gone yet. Driving somewhere the other day, I saw a sign that said how many lives were lost each day because of smoking. When I was in the temple, I thought, "One life saved. Two lives saved." and so on until I got to five which is how many people I did temple work for. It was an amazing feeling. Later that night I went to our stake ice cream social, tried a new kind of ice cream, talked to friends, and ran into Kennedy again. We planned a date to go drive the alpine loop when the leaves have changed a little more. It is always beautiful in the fall. Then I got to spend some time with Kaitlyn, James, and Mak. I did a color personality test. Justin guessed what color I was when we went on our first date, and I wanted to see if he was right. I am mostly white with blue and yellow tied closely behind. He was... Reading the book it came from was really interesting. I loved it. I stayed up late again and watched "Sleepless in Seattle." Saturday morning a boy outside was singing a little too loudly and all too obnoxiously and woke me up. Oh well. After spending some time waking up more, I went out with my roommates. I love going out with them We always have so much fun. When we came home I rushed off to go to Julie Anne's. It amazes me that we were in freshman ward together and never said a word to each other, but now, two years later, we are such good friends. Anyways, we made a dessert called everything right and wrong with America and watched "The Emperor's New Groove." Good laughs, so much chocolate, and long talks filled our time together. Okay, a water fight and a rolled up towel war may have also been involved. Then I rushed home to go to the BYU/Utah game. It was a rough loss, but I got my first cougar tail! I will probably never get another one, but it was a good experience. I believe every BYU student should get a cougar tail at a football game. It is just part of being a Cougar. Like I said, it was hard to lose, as it usually is when we play Utah, but football isn't life... It was fun just being there with my friends.
Bragging moment: I pointed out a ring to Dani in a magazine and told her it looked like her. She had others picked out, but she got that one! Called it. I know my girly!! And.... a shout out just for Tyler. This kid is amazing. I am so glad that he and Dani are together. They are perfect. I know I always tease them about being all cutesy, but I love it. Tyler is hardworking, caring, patient, and just a great guy.So, here is the spotlight of the day. There you go,Ty.

What Happens at Girls' Night Stays at Girls' Night

So, this one time we planned a girls' night. I was excited about it all week. Yesterday I got up early to go to the temple, and then went to work. Work was amazingly fun. I got a lot accomplished. I love the officers so much. To keep me happy about typing in all of the names and emails from people at orientation, they had the volunteers write down jokes or draw pictures. They did have me laughing pretty hard a couple of times. Also, this was drawn on one of the papers...

This week was full of reading which leads to odd sitting positions, drawing in my notes during class, plenty of rain, and some beautiful sunsets. 

I think it was Friday when I came home from school that Makenna pulled up a picture and asked if it was me. It was. I made Instagram on BYU Sleeps. I wasn't asleep, but I was lying in the sun playing on my phone. It is flattering and somewhat creepy. Did someone climb a tree to take this picture of me?! It does make me laugh though because this is the day I told my dad I was bored. He said to look for handsome men and smile at them. I had already done that and he said to show some leg. Is being a #potentialbabe good enough? As of today this photo has 312 likes. I am sure there will be more coming...

Friday I also realized that I have a problem. I talk to this boy way too much... October 24th cannot come soon enough!

That bring us to girls' night. When Dani got home we were all in basketball/running shorts and t-shirts so she quickly changed, and we were off to the mall. We went to Bath and Body Works because that is what we do. We go in and smell every single candle, spray, and lotion they have even if we have smelled them before and know they smell awful. It is always fun. Then, for some reason I had the bright idea to go and look at rings... Engagement rings. We ended up not going to one but three stores and trying on rings. We found some we liked and some we didn't, but we were in trances surrounded by all things that sparkle. We walked out of the mall with a spring in our steps, glittering eyes, and smiles that went from ear to ear. We then went to the Creamery just like freshman year and got ice cream. Before going in, we ran into Emilee and Ryan which was a lot of fun. It is odd not seeing them anymore. Still giggling and talking about what we just did, we ate our ice cream and quickly left the store because we were all freezing by the end. Fall is upon us. I even broke out the sweatpants last night. When we got home we ended up watching 13 Going on 30 munching on popcorn and still laughing and admiring the pictures we took of the rings on each of our fingers. By the end of the movie at 10:15 we were all tired and parted for the night. Why was this night so much fun? We are girls... It was a perfect girls' night. Also, I found a ring I really like...

       

The One About Being a Grown-up

There are days when you feel so grown-up. Like yesterday... I went to work, I spent time with a co-worker afterward just having fun. I picked up my textbooks for my classes this semester, I ran errands, and I got a new ID. Walking through the bookstore an older lady here for education week told me she loved my long hair absolutely loved the color. So cute. I love BYU because random people come to complement you all of the time. It makes you feel good when people do it to you and when you do it for others. It is times like these when you realize how much you really have changed since your freshman year. My short hair and baby face are things of the past. My fears of doing things alone, getting lost on campus, and not having my parents around are also long gone. I have learned how to live with people I don't know. I have actually gone on a few dates. I got involved on campus. I have a job. I can talk to random people without a second thought. My friends are getting married. My textbooks are more expensive. Friends from home are planning trips to come and see me at some point. I am so glad I have had the chance to grow up, and I love all of the fun times I have had on the way.

Two years ago, I came to BYU with my friend, Kaitlyn. Thank goodness I had her because that first year of being away from home was terrifying. When my parents told me to go into the room where they print your ID, I was scared because they would not be with me. They stood right outside, but I was still a nervous wreck going in there alone. This time I waltzed in like I owned the place. Getting to know my roommates was an adventure in and of itself. It turns out, I ended up loving them more than I ever thought I would when I stalked them on Facebook and drew my own conclusions from what I found. I mean look at us now! I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to live with them once again! Now, we are missing one... Do you know why? She is married! Yesterday she was the luckiest and is now living her happily ever after. Before the wedding I was super ornery, but when I saw how happy they were (even Emilee was amazingly happy with all of the stress of the wedding), I realized that it may have happened way too fast for my liking, but it was meant to be, and why waste time when you know you want to spend eternity with someone? Her and Ryan sure didn't! The reception was beautiful complete with doves, paper lanterns, crepes, and twinkle lights. Getting to see her in her princess gown and getting to take a picture with her and all of the roommates from freshman year (except Mak who came a little later), I just felt like this was right. I believe a congratulations is in order for Mrs. Emilee Draper! 

Getting home and having some girl talk with Meghan and Mak was the best. I miss my girls whether they are gone for a day or a whole semester. I really do love them. Going to work, I felt like it was so right. Nametag and BYU Alumni polo on, I looked official. I had better since I was the only one in the office today. Kind of scary and rough but I made through and felt empowered after. Last night during our girl talk, I decided I did need to be a real adult and go and talk with Andrew. We planned on going for frozen yogurt tonight. After work I stressed for a little bit about it, but I tried to not think about it too much. 5:15, the scheduled time, came and went, and he didn't tell me he was coming like he said he would. 5:30... 5:45... 6:00... 6:15. Then, I got the phone call. He had been held up at work. Again, I thought I needed to be an adult and forgive. We went and got some frozen yogurt. It was so awkward at first. Neither of us really knew what to say, but I realized both of us had changed, and after that we talked and laughed and everything seemed normal. I don't really know how I feel about all of it. It is so odd. At least now I can say that I talked to him and I won't feel weird when I run into him on campus or on one of the million trips to the BYUSA office I will have to make throughout the year. I am growing up. If you didn't notice by the ID picture, I hope when you talk to me you will recognize it. 

My summer is officially coming to a close. I bought my books, the sun is starting to disappear already, my tan lines are starting to fade, all of the roommates are back, and things are once again changing. FOL and NSO are next week. Am I ready? I don't know, but I am starting to get excited even though the freshmen participants have taken to comparing it to the Hunger Games. I'm a little worried, but I know it will be so much fun and the perfect spiritual lift.

 And, here is a little something for everyone's enjoyment. Here's to being a grown-up going into my junior/senior year of college.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..."

Galatians 5: 22-23

Smile. It Looks Good On You.

I was on my feet for ten hours today. Needless to say, when I finally got home, I sat down, and I refuse to get back up. I did have a ton of fun and accomplishments today. I drove a minivan, I picked up my textbooks, I did some of my reading, I feel rejuvenated by the cold, I did interviews for the open position in BYUSA, I helped pick the person by voicing concerns and what I liked about each individual (with me talking both Eric and I picked someone we were not even considering at first), I was one of the few volunteers at an event tonight so I saved the night, I got to sit and talk to a few cute guys, my dinner was peanut butter on a spoon, and I watched one of the cheesiest but cutest movies I have even seen before. I watched Beauty and the Briefcase. Hillary Duff in her glamour and contagious smile in a cheesy movie with a twist you saw coming the entire movie and a lesson at the end that I needed to hear made my day complete. I may not be getting along with my roommate as well as I would hope, I may not have the right guy by my side, and I may have made a fool of myself tonight when I did a blowup obstacle course, but none of that matters. What matters right now is that I have amazing friends, a wonderful family, and I just get to sit and watch movies right now. 

A Day in the Life...

I day in the life of an eighteen year old junior is so much fun. I have no classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This Tuesday was my last opportunity to see my friend Amanda Webb from back home considering she is leaving for home to prepare for her mission tomorrow. She said she wanted Mexican food, but instead of saying Costa Vida like she wanted she said Tucanos so off we went. Neither of us had been there before. It was so good and completely worth it. We got an extremely cute waiter. The table next to us was full of guys and when we got up one told me I had a beautiful smile. I am pretty sure this was one of the few days I can say I felt like a teenager. We giggled more than anything. After getting lost in our waiter's blue eyes, we did not hear anything he said so we had no idea what to do. We got the hang of it eventually. We ate so much food. At one point another quite attractive waiter told us to stop flirting with our waiter. Were we flirting? Absolutely. I never get to see Amanda, and spending time with her I realized how sad that was. Giving our numbers to the two waiters just made us laugh harder and smile wider. I am going to miss that girl. Acting like a teenager is all too much fun. I would say I need to do it more often, but we all know I am far too serious for that. I need to let loose a little more often.