Stowaway

Hi there folks,

I want to take a quick second to tell you about the magazine I'm working for this semester, called Stowaway. This is a completely student-run magazine, and it's for my editing capstone class. Stowaway is a travel magazine for college students and young adults, and let me tell you, it's a really cool magazine. We feature stories from places all over the world as well as cool ideas for what to do in those places. I'm currently working as a writer and as the Senior Features editor, and it has been an amazing experience so far.

The Stowaway staff is really trying to push our advertising for it, so if you like me, please take a peek! Visit stowawaymag.com and like it on Facebook. The Fall issue will be rolling out next week, and it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. We're also holding a photography contest. If you have any neat travel photos, submit them to stowawaymag@gmail.com by October 14, 2011. If you are selected you'll be published in the magazine next year!

Being Happy

I borrowed this "happy list" idea from one of my favorite blogs, the Rockstar Diaries, and I want to make it a regular feature on this here little blog. Here's to being happy!

1. Fall colors on the mountains. I'm excited to take a drive through Provo canyon sometime soon.

2. Fall food! Apple pies and cinnamon rolls and pumpkin pancakes make me feel all warm inside.

3. Knowing that my foot is healing and knowing that in 5 more days I can hopefully get rid of the darn boot and crutches forever. Also, I'm thankful for my handicap parking pass. It has proved to be useful.

4. My calling in the Relief Society presidency. I've been able to work with some incredible girls who strengthen my testimony.

5. Soft sweaters. Enough said.

6. Phone calls with Mom. She's the best.

7. This final semester. I love each and every one of my classes, and I have some incredible professors.

8. General Conference weekend. I'm so looking forward to Saturday and Sunday!

9. The fact that I get compliments when I manage to wear a high heel with my little black boot. It's a skill guys.

10. Starbuck's hot chocolate. It's that time of year again, folks. Who wants to petition with me to get a Starbuck's a little closer to my

apartment?

What makes you happy? Leave a comment and I'll feature it.

Photographia

My lovely leggy roommate, Rachel, took some pictures of us last weekend. She's an amazing photographer, and I wanted to show off some of her work. Check out her website at rachelhphotography.com. She is AM-AHHHH-ZING!

The Green Monster

We're talking food today, folks. Or I guess smoothies. I know, I know. Fall's coming and cold smoothies are on their way out. But until it's a cool 50 degrees outside, We're going to talk about them. Have you heard of the Green Monster smoothie? I'm sure you have. I'm usually about two steps behind everyone else in the world. I found the recipe on Pinterest, and I've been addicted to it ever since. The best part about this smoothie is that it's customizable. Combine whatever fruits, juices, and yogurt flavors you want. The key ingredient is what makes it a green monster...spinach. Yep, spinach. I'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of spinach (especially when it's cooked), but I did some research. Each little baby leaf is chock full of vitamins, it's a good source of heart health, and it protects your vision. Also, ladies, Fitness Magazine lists it as one of their super foods for healthy skin and hair...HELLO. Who would say no to that?

Because I can't do much cardio exercise at the moment (read about that whole saga here), I've been trying to eat as healthy as possible. This smoothie fits in perfectly because it's low in calories. Here is my little take on the Green Monster:

1 big handful of fresh, clean spinach (you can't taste it, so load it into your blender)

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup orange juice (or juice of your choice)

1/2 frozen banana

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1 tablespoon vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

3 ice cubes

splash of honey

Blend blend, blend! And then, enjoy and bask in the glory of healthiness.

DRJ

I know this is a day late, but I want to say happy 17th birthday to my studly little brother, Devin!

I wish I could have been there to celebrate it with you, Dev. But I heard you were on a hot date and I didn't want to interrupt. :) Here are some things that I love about Devin:

He's just about the nicest, kind-hearted guy you'll ever meet. This kid will do anything for you, and then when he's done, he'll ask you if you need anything else.

Devin has his own style. He doesn't care what other people think about him, and because of that, he is so much cooler!

Devin is a peacemaker. He never fights with anyone, and he has this calmness that he carries with him. He's laid-back and chill.

Lastly, you can't beat this kid's sense of humor. If I'm having a hard day, I call him and end up laughing my little heart out.

Happy birthday, Devin! I'm sad you won't be joining me in good ol' Provo next year, but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun road trips.

Gimp.

Two weeks ago, I went and got myself injured. And how did I do it? Tripping and falling while running around outside. Guys, it's not even a good story! And because I'm really bad at taking care of myself (I'd like to think it's because I'm busy taking care of other people), I waited a whole week to see a doctor. Walking on it was a pain, but I convinced myself that it wasn't that bad, and that seeing a doctor would be a waste of time and money. Wrong. After looking like an idiot walking around campus with a severe limp, and after much convincing from my mama, I got my first ever X-ray. And here is what we found:

First off, no, this is not my foot. I googled "fractured third metatarsal bone" and I found this picture. But it's identical. Can you believe doctors are apparently too high tech now to send you home with an image of your X-ray? Now they just look at them on their computers. I was so excited to hang mine on my fridge with a big gold star stuck to it. But nope. I have to search for pictures that look like what's going on inside my foot.

So I got one of these beauties:

This, ladies and gents, is called a Cam walker. It's a sexy little boot that goes with everything. And lucky me, I get to accessorize everything I wear with it for at least 3 WEEKS, maybe longer. Let's not mention that, every time I tear the velcro straps off to remove the thing, I can hear dogs howl because it's so loud.

I also got a nice pair of crutches, courtesy of the BYU Health Center. Raise your hand if you've ever had to use crutches. Raise your hand if you've ever had to use them on campus. Raise your hand if you experienced intense sweat sessions hobbling from class to class, as well as weird bruising and soreness under your armpits and on the palms of your hands. Also, raise your hand if people have shushed you while you walked through the library because your crutches were loud. Raise your hand if you used your crutch as a weapon against the shusher because they obviously deserved a whack in the leg for not being considerate to a gimp. Crutches may be convenient (especially as a weapon), but it took me about 5 minutes of using them to learn that they are of the devil. I kind of want one of these cool contraptions:

I always see students zipping around on campus with these! Or maybe I'll get a Jazzy. Or a Razor scooter.

I know I'm complaining. But I promise that there are benefits to being injured, like this:

No, I will not cheat and use it until it expires. The minute I'm healed it's going away. But until I'm no longer a gimp, this is the greatest thing ever! Take me with you and I can even bring it in your car. Maybe I'm just asking myself to be used...Also, guys on campus are oh so great when it comes to opening doors for me. Thanks boys! And yes, my injury is a great conversation-starter. Props to those who have taken advantage of that.

Also, did you know that BYU has this elite crutch/gimp club? I didn't until now. You know how motorcyclists all have that side wave they do when passing another motorcycle? (I know this after years of riding with my dad) Well, there's something similar on campus. You see someone else with crutches and you do the head nod (obviously the wave wouldn't work as our hands are too busy having uncomfortable pressure put on them as we attempt to walk). The nod says it all: "Yes, you look miserable. Yes, I know I do, too. We get what each other is going through." It's taken me four and a half years at BYU, but now I feel like I've arrived with this exclusive little club.

Anyway, that's the end of it. I have been called a gimp a total of 57 times in the last two weeks, and I'm starting to forget my real name. Someone please remind me once I'm healed, mmkay?

We Remember