Awkwards and Awesomes

I've always liked reading the Awkward and Awesome posts that other bloggers have done in the past, but I've never really jumped on that bandwagon. Until now. My life has been so great/bizarre/scary/uplifting/confusing that I have to share. Drumroll please.

Awkward:

- Catching two people you know make out in their car. In the parking lot. In broad daylight. No dears, don't stop to wave to me. As you were.

- Walking past a couple breaking up in the library. THE LIBRARY? Honey, if he's going to break up with you in the BYU library, where everyone can see you, you don't want to be with him anyway. Although in his defense maybe he decided to do it there so she wouldn't cause a scene.

- Falling asleep in my Linguistics class (after a night of 8 hours of sleep, mind you), only to wake up because my leg twitched and kicked the seat in front of me. Hard.

- Learning how to walk again after removing my medical boot FOR GOOD. I walk like a duck now.

- Making a phone call at work to a person named "Charles Sheen" and wanting really badly to ask if he was winning.

- Having a girl from my home ward come up to me on campus and calling me "Whitney," who is my sister. I didn't correct her and pretended, in fact, to be Whitney. Guess that's more awkward for her than for me.

- Rocking out to Celine Dion's "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" in my car at a stoplight, only to realize that a group of guys in the car next to me were pointing and laughing.

- Speaking in Sacrament Meeting with my Relief Society presidency, all of us with the same topic. And then realizing my entire talk was given before I even got up to speak. I don't do well making things up as I go.

Awesome:

- Going to a Stake Relief Society fireside only to be told exactly what I need to hear. Life is good!

- Discovering WinCo and all the money it saves me.

- Getting the afore-mentioned medical boot off FOR GOOD!

- Costa Vida dinners with my friend Kaitlin. And opening up a Costa Vida points card because we all know I keep them in business.

- Knowing that my mom and little brother are coming to visit me this weekend. Hooray! I need my mom.

- Finding the best place to buy clothes. Maybe if you're nice I'll share my secret.

- The Fall leaves in Provo Canyon. I don't think I've ever seen anything as beautiful.

- Halloween is 11 days away! What are YOU going to be?

There you have it. My life is awkward and awesome. I would say about 60% awkward and 40% awesome.

Fall Fashion

I've been putting together a list of things I'm lusting after for the Fall. What think we?

Prada Lace-Up Suede Ankle Boot. Yes, just a wee bit out of my price range. I want some knock-offs.

Michael Kors Large Gold Runway Watch. I decided that this will be my graduation gift to myself in December. It's so classic.

Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots. I love the patent graphite gray, but I might want them in green too. So many options!

There it is, folks. What I'll be lusting after come Fall, when I should be paying attention in my Personal Finance class.

Welcome Summer. I've been waiting for you.

Okay folks, summer is here. And we know what that means. Summer music. And my need to create a playlist for every aspect of my life kicks in especially hard here. Call me pathetic, but I have an inability to drive without music. And when my little Batmobile has the sunroof open and all its little windows down so the warm breeze can come on through and whip my hair back and forth, I crave music. So without further ado, I introduce you to some of my favorite songs that SCREAM Summer 2011. I've been waiting for this.

1. Hotel California by The Eagles. Classic. Makes me think of a warm summer night at home

2. Summertime by Kenny Chesney. Obviously

3. California Girls by The Beach Boys. I take pride in this song

4. I Woke Up in a Car by Something Corporate. Makes me want to roadtrip across America. Who's with me?

5. In This Diary by The Ataris. I get into a huge Ataris phase in the summer

6. Summer Wind was Always Our Song by The Ataris

7. Boys of Summer by The Ataris. See? No joke

8. More than a Feeling by Boston. Sappy EFY memories

9. Good Life by One Republic. Listen to this and tell me your problems didn't go away after

10. E.T. by Katy Perry. I know, I know. But still

11. One Day by Matisyahu. Perfect for Provo Canyon drives

12. Summer Girls by LFO. How could this NOT make a summer playlist?

13. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty. Somehow this song makes it into every playlist I make. And for good reason

14. Jaded by Aerosmith. I just love it

15. Mean by Taylor Swift. So sassy

16. King of Anything by Sara Bareilles. Also sassy

17. Miles Apart by Yellowcard. Also more memories

18. Good Morning by Chamillionaire. Haters gonna hate

19. Grace Kelly by Mika. It's just fun

20. And finally...Thunder by Boys Like Girls. Because summer thunderstorms in Utah are the best

So there you have it. My actual playlist has 208 songs, but these are my top faves. And I would be here forever if I listed them all. But there's some Fleetwood Mac, more T. Swift and Katy Perry, and Blink 182. So this just means you'll have to pay me a visit if you want the rest.

Just Little Things

I stumbled across this blog today, and I absolutely love it. It's perfect if you need a pick-me-up or if you just want to be reminded of why life is good. Enjoy!

Just Little Things

Reflection

With Christmas and New Year's coming and being home over the break, I don't know how much blogging I'm going to be doing in the next couple weeks. So until 2011 gets here and I get back to Provo and back into the swing of a new semester, I'm going to reflect now on some things I learned during2010. If I had to find one word that defined 2010 for me, I think it would be "Growth." I've definitely done a lot of that this year, in lots of ways. So without further ado, here's a list to round out my 2010. Merry Christmas, and I hope you all have a happy holiday season! See you in 2011.

1. Maria von Trapp said it once, and I'll say it again. "When God closes a door, He opens a window." And sometimes, He even breaks a whole wall down just in case you're being stubborn and aren't able to feel the breeze coming in from said window.

2. It's okay to be silly. Did I play innertube waterpolo this year? Yes. Did we look like idiots? Yes. Was it so fun anyway? YES. Ward Halloween party. Did I fall at Classic Skating? Yes. Did we take silly pictures? Yes. I've done silly things this year, but I've learned it's fun to let go and act like a little kid sometimes, no matter how old you are.

3. Write things down. I've been an avid journal since I was 8, because writing is therapeutic for me. But I learned this year that writing is a great way for me to vent about how I'm feeling instead of getting angry over little things that in the long run won't even matter.

4. Taylor Swift has a song to go with every minute of my life. And after listening, I always feel better.

5. Family will always be there for you. During a rough summer and challenging semester, my family was always there whenever I needed them. I love that, even though we're all getting older, we can still be silly together. Hence the picture below.

6. Make everyone's day better. I saw so many people do this for me this year, and maybe they didn't even know it. My goal is to make sure that, after someone talks to me, they feel better about themselves. I want to be a light in people's lives.

7. Take time to take a break. One of my favorite parts about this year was going to visit my favorite family in Texas. I took two days off from school, and I played with 4 little kids. And it was just what I needed.

8. Make friends with everyone. This year I've been blessed to live in a wonderful ward, and I've made lots of friends. I've also rekindled friendships with old friends, too. Having a variety of people to go to makes life so much better!

9. Appreciate the things you have in your life, because before you know it they can disappear.

10. Don't change who you are for anyone or anything. I've learned this semester that if someone doesn't appreciate you for what you are or what you bring to the table, it's possible to surround yourself with people who do.

11. Most importantly, remember that things will always work out for you. One of my favorite talks this year was the one by President Uchtdorf, called, "Continue in Patience." It constantly reminds me that, as long as I'm doing the things I should be doing and waiting patiently with faith, Heavenly Father will take care of me.

Things I'm Lovin'

Here's a list of things I'm loving on right now, in no particular order.

Favorite thing about this week: it's over

Favorite thing about today: Good hair. No, GREAT hair.

Saying "like a G6" at the end of every sentence.

Favorite new song: Phoenix's 1901. So what, I'm behind the times.

My Halloween costume options. Endless!

Favorite happy thought: I'm going to California in a month.

Favorite not-so-happy thought: I have to plan my future. I think I'm going to get in my car the day I graduate and just drive. East? South? Want to come?

Happiest time of my Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: English 451 and ELANG 325. For obvious reasons which will only remain obvious to me.

Favorite new discovery: I can have curly hair in Utah. And I can rock it.

Worst new discovery: I can't function on 4 hours of sleep each night. Also, I have the worst case of senioritis ever.

Discovery of the week: "The 6th Sense" is not scary. I've been lied to for so long.

Sweater of the week: Stripey gray cardigan.

Food of the week: Frosted Mini Wheats. I'm such a college student.

Happy song: "Speak Now" by Taylor Swift. Her new CD comes out in THREE DAYS!!!

Goal of the week: Don't get discouraged with people. Some of them just aren't worth my time.

Yes, No, Maybe So

If I had control over everything, I would play matchmaker. Since I don't, here are some pairings that are great, shouldn't exist, and should happen soon.

Good

Monica and Chandler: Yes. Yes yes and yes. Love her, love him, love them together. Love that they were best friends first. Whoever wrote this into the show was a complete genius!

Beatrice and Benedick: Beatrice: "I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks you." Benedick: "What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?" Fantastic. Much Ado About Nothing is my favorite Shakespeare play, mainly because of these two. The couple that mocks each other stays together.

Jim and Pam: Who in their right mind can deny this? Yes I get jealous of Pam because she gets to snuggle up to beautiful Jim Halpert, but she’s one of those girls that, because they’re so nice, you just can’t hate them, no matter how hard you try. And I'll just get my Jim fix in my Journalism class, because my professor looks just like him. But not the snuggling part. Just looking.

Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley (book versions only): Ginny is just the best. Who else would do the things she did for Harry? Well maybe I would.

Bad

Ross and Rachel: I love them both. Someday I will be Rachel Green. But Ross and Rachel together? No. The U2 song “With or Without You” fits them too well. Ross, love you, but you’re too whiny. Rachel, LOVE you, but you can’t make up your mind. Good idea in theory though.

Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansen: Ryan, you know I love you. But because I love you I have to tell you this: Your wife is trash. You’re too good for her and can do so much better. Can you tell I’m bitter?

Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley (movies only): Awkward train wreck waiting to happen. Horrible acting, horrible chemistry. “Open up, you.”

Allie and Noah from The Notebook: I don’t like them together. Never have. This volatile relationship is a ticking time bomb. The only time they aren’t fighting is when they are old and she can’t remember who he is.

Maple bars with bacon: I had one. Once. Who thought of this?

Should be

Joey and Phoebe: No, they would never work. But can you imagine the hilarious things that would be said to each other in their own NYC apartment? I would love to be a fly on that wall.

Ryan Reynolds and me: Perfect relationship. Our amazingly good looks (well, his at least) and fantastically sarcastic and comedic timing would make this a relationship for the books.

Allie and Lon from The Notebook: I love him. Not only is he much better looking than Noah, but I think he treats Allie better. And he’s wealthy (not that that’s important to me but… :) ). This is a romance that should have happened.

Music

I really identify with music. What I listen to usually reflects how I'm feeling at the moment. And because I've been feeling kind of down lately, I put together a playlist of songs that help me know it's going to be okay. So I thought I would share them with you if you're having a bad day, week, or month, too.

1. Dream by Michael Buble

2. Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michealson

3. Stand by Rascal Flatts

4. Everything'll Be Alright by Joshua Radin

5. Breathe by Taylor Swift

6. Someday We'll Know by Mandy Moore/Switchfoot

7. Lullabye (Rockabye) by Shawn Mullins

8. You've Got a Friend by James Taylor

9. Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morisette

10. You Learn by Alanis Morisette

11. No One by Aly & A.J.

12. Let It Be by The Beatles

13. Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

14. Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

15. Letter to Me by Brad Paisley

16. Ever Ever After by Carrie Underwood

17. Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac

18. Defying Gravity from Wicked

19. Free Falling by John Mayer

20. Don't Stop Believing by Journey

21. Don't You Know You're Beautiful by Kellie Pickler

22. Looking Forward to Looking Back by Mandy Moore

23. Somewhere Over the Rainbow

These sure make me feel better.

Fall

I love Fall, and I'm excited for it to get here. There's something about a new apartment, a new ward, new classes, and new people that gets me excited. I just like the fresh start! (This would most likely explain why I love January 1, Mondays, and the first day of school. It's a chance to start over and do better. And I'm all about self-improvement!) So in honor of school starting in 27 days and moving into a new place in two weeks, I made myself some goals. I figured if I posted them here, and if you know me and I'm failing at them, you can keep me in check. :)

1. Say prayers morning and night on knees (I fail at this one)
2. Read the Scriptures every day
3. Go to the gym at least 3 times a week
4. Go to Institute each week (I'm sad that I finished all my religion classes)
5. Go to the temple once a week (I've been doing this all summer and it has made the biggest difference in my life!)
6. Go to all ward/stake activities
7. Create a budget/saving plan for myself
8. Always look my best! (Cheesy, yes, but I'm a firm believer that when you feel like you look your best, you really do feel good)
9. Do visiting teaching every month and go the extra mile (we had a lesson in Relief Society this Sunday about visiting teaching, and it inspired me to do better)
10. Become a better tithing payer
11. Find ways to constantly serve others ("The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Gandhi)
12. Read/listen to a General Conference talk each day (the inspiration for that idea came from here)
13. Go to or at least watch Devotional every week
14. Fast meaningfully each month
15. Make bed each day (I struggle)
16. Keep room clean (everything I own has a proper place, but they just don't stay in that proper place)
17. Actually STUDY in the library (I'm a people-watcher and don't get much done there)
18. Write in journal often

There we go. My biggest goal is to actually do all of my goals!

Summer Time and the Living is Easy...

School's out for the summer, and I'm excited! It's nice to not have to worry about homework and exams and classes, even though I admit last semester I really enjoyed it, because I loved my classes. But from now until the end of August, I'll be working full time here in the Dean's office (I'm SO lucky to be able to have a full-time job that I like!), enjoying the Provo sunshine (if it decides to stick around. So far the track record has been very unpredictable).

This past Sunday was a good one. I love my ward, and things are great. My apartment is fantastic! I only have one other roommate instead of three, so we each have our own rooms and bathrooms. It's so great! I'm in the process of decorating my bathroom, because now I can do it how I want, and not have to worry about other people's opinions. I'm thinking about going the route of this season's Pottery Barn collection, which is very beachy. And my roommate is super cute! But anyway, this Sunday I was first asked to give a talk this next week about mothers, and I was called to be secretary in the Relief Society presidency, which I am so excited about. The girls I will get to work with are so nice, and I can tell this presidency really has a concern for each of the girls, so I'm happy to be a part of it, and I'm excited to get to work!

My goals this summer are to read, read, and read some more. I love to read in the summer. I'm planning on doing lots of it. I'm also going to work on building up confidence in myself. This past year there were a few times I lost it. I had to deal with some tough decisions, people, and issues, and it caused me to look down on myself. But not anymore! My fabulous mother is helping me out by sending me some great talks by General Authorities each day to help me. And I've had some experiences in the past few weeks that helped me realize that I am loved!

But to keep me on track, here are some goals I have for the summer to get myself into the best possible shape I can be.

1. Read each book on my Victorian literature list
2. Exercise at least 3 days a week
3. Go to the temple each week (if you are going and don't want to go by yourself, let me know!)
4. Eat healthy. More fruit!!
5. Be the best possible RS secretary I can be. I want to work hard
6. Save my money. No more Forever 21 sprees.
7. Make time for myself each day to sit and think.
8. Make personal prayer and scripture study a priority. I'm doing okay, but there's always room for improvement.
9. Write in my journal. I'm almost done with my seventh one!
10. Do some kind of service each day. It's been said over and over than when you're putting someone else first, your life becomes happier.
11. Continue to live by the quote, "People who mind don't matter, and people who matter don't mind." Comparing myself to others is not going to get me anywhere. Judging others won't either. I know I've been judged a lot in my life, and that's something I want to be less sensitive about. Because the people who judge me don't matter. The people who know and love me know my good qualities and also my flaws, and they know that I try my hardest each day to be the best possible person I can be.

So there's the list. I'm a very goal-oriented person, so I've made up my mind to do each one of these as best as I can. Wish me luck!

21 21 21 21!

Yesterday was my birthday, and it was wonderful. Thank you, dear friends, for the wishes, parties, balloons, and flowers! It was a great day. Do I look 21? No. Do I feel 21? Maybe someday I will. But until then I created a list of goals I would like to complete this next year. I figured that maybe, if I write them here, and someone sees me slacking off on them, they can lecture me.

1. My first goal is to read my scriptures every day for the whole year, not missing a single one.
2. Run a 10K.
3. Learn some sort of new useful skill (budgeting, sewing, etc.)
4. Exercise! I've been slacking on that this semester.
5. Look for an act of service that I can do daily, even if it's a small one.
6. Be a better example to others.
7. Listen to/read a General Conference talk each day. (See story here)
8. Start a charity, or help support one.
9. No gossiping or judging! (see above story link)
10. Be the very best person I can be this year.

I made a list yesterday of 21 goals, but I can't remember all of them, so these are just a few.

Nut-ell-a, [nuh-tel-la] -noun A delicious tub of fat and chocolate

Today I was looking at one of my favorite food websites, foodgawker.com, and I learned that it is World Nutella Day. So I would like to celebrate by listing some of my favorite things/memories that involve Nutella.

1. Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake cupcake at The Cocoa Bean Cupcake Cafe.
2. 39 girls going through tubs and tubs of Nutella in London. The poor Schuellers couldn't keep up with our demands!
3. Nutella on fruit
4. Nutella on toast
5. Nutella milkshakes
6. Nutella won-tons (my specialty, thank you to Giada de Laurentiis for the recipe)
7. Nutella right out of the jar with a spoon
8. The gallon-size tubs of Nutella available at Marks and Spencer in England. You just can't find that in America.

Today I encourage everyone, if you've never had it, to try some Nutella. You won't regret it! :)

Lists

I saw this on my friend Kylie's blog and thought I should have some fun. Someday I'll do all 100!

Bold the things you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre
20. Slept on a train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung Karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visted Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. visited the great wall of China
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl scout cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. got flowers for no reason
64. donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. gone sky diving
66.visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Tied a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a Bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

54! I'm slowly getting there. Not bad for only being 20! :)

Happiness

I've been thinking a lot about what makes me happy lately, and someone told me to write everything down, because that way when I'm sad I can look at my list and remember all the blessings I've been given. So here are just a few things, even though I have tons!

1. The gospel and the ability to pray to my Heavenly Father
2. My family. They are the best!
3. True friends. Sometimes they are rare and hard to find, so I appreciate the ones I have!
4. Starbucks hot chocolate. It is the cure for everything.
5. Deep, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking books (Les Miserables, not Twilight)
6. Christmas!!!
7. Rainy or snowy days when I get to stay home
8. Motorcycle rides with my dad and Slurpee stops at 7-11
9. Michael Buble. He and I have a great relationship that consists of him singing to me while I make dinner
10. My BYU education
12. Cookbooks, cooking magazines, food blogs, etc.
13. J. Crew sales
14. Target. It is my true love
15. My job. I get to work with some incredibly intelligent people
16. London and the amazing things I was able to do while I was there
17. My homemade Mac N' Cheese. I invented the recipe and it's the closest thing to Noodles & Co. Mac N' Cheese you will find
18. Baking cakes, cookies, and cupcakes
19. My mom's cooking. I know everyone says this, but really, no one can beat my mom
20. Classy, well-dressed, successful women - someone that I aspire to be one day
21. Babies and the new baby smell
22. Gerber daisies
23. Chocolate chips, Craisins, and almonds
24. Vacations in Cancun, Mexico
25. Laughing at silly things, and just being silly in general

What makes you happy?

David Letterman.

So, ever since I was little I've loved David Letterman. I don't know why. Sometimes my dad would stay up to watch his Top 10 List. That was always a special thing, when Dad said we could stay up past 10:30 to watch with him. After the Top 10 List, unless someone interesting was on, it was time for bed. So I was thinking maybe I should make a Top 10 List of things I love and think are beautiful.

10. Jamba Juice. Today I was walking on campus and it felt like it was 150 degrees, so I stopped at Jamba in the Wilk and got myself a 16 Citrus Squeeze. SO yummy.

9. Cooking. I love cooking. It's therapeutic to me. When I need something to do, or when I need time to think, I bake or grill or sauté. I love looking at people's faces when they eat what I make!

8. Writing in my journal. Along with cooking, writing in my journal relaxes me. I've written in one pretty diligently ever since I was in 6th grade. If you haven't done it, start! The best thing is to read back over things you've written in the past.

7. Early morning. Even though I'm NOT a morning person, the times when I do wake up early and it's quiet and the sun is just barely rising are just so beautiful. I love getting up early and getting things done. One of my favorite things is to read my scriptures then.

6. Snowy nights. While I love early mornings, I also love snowy evenings. My favorite memories are being with my family around Christmas, reading by a fireplace and drinking hot

chocolate, and the snow falls outside. I just think that's so pretty!

5. Babies. There's something so happy about babies. I love their little feet and fingers. At church the other day I was playing with this cute baby boy, and his smile just melted my heart!

4. Pink lemonade. There's just something so summery and pretty about it. I picture ladies in big hats sitting outside and sipping it, while talking about books.

3. Reading. I LOVE to read anything I can get my hands on! Right now I'm reading this amazing novel called "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini, and I am learning so much about Afghani women and the struggles and injustices they have dealt with.

2. BYU. I love BYU, and I love Provo! Sometimes I whine and complain that I don't want to be there anymore, but once I leave I can't wait to come back. I love walking around campus and meeting students and professors that I can learn so much from.

1. Pearls. There's something so beautiful and classy about pearls. And I strongly believe that you look so much better when you put some on! And beautiful jewelry makes me feel so much prettier. And anything that can make me feel that way definitely goes on my list!

So there you go. Go out today and look for something beautiful.