Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for....

Autumn
Family
Babies
Transportation
Friendship
Nertz

I have been so so busy and I have so many things I want to blog... they will have to wait a few more days!

Haunted Hospital

Last week I was able to work at the Sigma Nu Haunted Hospital... it was fun but so scary! It was cool to see all of the behind the scenes kind of stuff that goes on! It actually takes place in the old hospital that has been abandoned (no electricity, or heat!), and is rumored to be haunted. The guys who do it do a really amazing job- last year they made over $25,000, most of this money is donated to a charity. The Alpha Phi's had a room set up like a house- which is why we are in aprons and dresses.

BEFORE

AFTER
My flash is so bright- it was really dim in the actual hospital which made it even scarier!
I had to sing a lullaby as the people passed by- and then I would follow them through the room! In our room there was also a woman in a kitchen, someone watching a static tv, a woman ironing, and someone who stepped out from behind the curtains.

Letter to Me

I heard the song "Letter to Me" by Brad Paisley the other day on the radio. It is a cute song and it gave me something to think about while I drove home. Here are the lyrics (listen to the song- someone made a video of the song-ignore their typos)

If I could write a letter to me

And send it back in time to myself at 17

First I'd prove it's me by saying look under your bed

There's a and a no
one else would know you hid

And then I'd say I know it's tough

When you break up after seven months

And yeah I know you really liked her
and it just don't seem fair

All I can say is pain like that is fast and it's rare

And oh you got so much going for you going right

But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night

She wasn't right for you

And still you feel like there's a knife sticking out of your back

And you're wondering if you'll survive

You'll make it through this and you'll see

You're still around to write this letter to me

At the stop sign at Tomlinson and Eighth

Always stop completely don't just tap your breaks

And when you get a date with Bridgett make sure the tank is full

On second thought forget it that one turns out kinda cool

Each and every time you have a fight

Just assume you're wrong and dad is right

And you really should thank Mrs. Brinkman

She spent so much extra time

It's like she sees the diamond underneath

And she's just polishin' you 'til you shine

And oh you got so much going for you going right

But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night

Tonight's the bonfire rally

But you're staying home instead because if you fail Algebra

Mom and dad will kill you dead

Trust me you'll squeak by and get a C

And you're still around to write this letter to me

You've got so much up ahead

You'll make new friends

You should see your kids and wife

And I'd end by saying have no fear

These are nowhere near the best years of your life

I guess I'll see you in the mirrorWhen you're a grown man

P.S. go hug Aunt Rita every chance you can

And oh you got so much going for you going right

But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night

I wish you'd study SpanishI wish you'd take a typing class

I wish you wouldn't worry, let it be

I'd say have a little faith and you'll see

If I could write a letter to me

To me

How great would it be to have a letter from yourself 5, 10, 15 years down the road? I would love to have a letter from myself 5 years down the road!

I wish that this 18 year old Alicia

This picture was taken the night before I left to go to my freshman year of college

knew what this

20 year old Alicia knows now...

I did not realize this picture had such a glare!

I wrote a letter to myself... and here are a few things I wrote

I gave myself some advice: (somethings I did and somethings I wish I had done)

When you heart gets broken do not cry for more than a day about it.

Even though you hate school take advantage of living in NYC. Soak up the culture, and love it.

Swallow your pride, please do not think that you failed or even made a bad decision, because you didn’t.

Do not date anyone you work with, no matter how cute they happen to be and no matter how much they flirt with you.

Take advantage of living at home again, offer to help mom cook and clean, you might just learn something.

Be nice, work on smiling and being friendly.

Value the time you spend with your family.

Give yourself some credit, you are smarter than you think. Have a little faith in yourself.

Everything is going to work out.

I think we all would love to have a letter telling us what or what not to do, or just reminding us to have a little faith and that everything will work out in the end! I wonder what my 27 year old Alicia would tell me...

I'm a Big Sister!

I now have a LITTLE SISTER in Alpha Phi!

These are a few of the little gifts I have made her...

A paint can filled with candy

A flower vase with her name

Pin box

I have had so much fun putting everything together... we have Big Sis/Lil' Sis reveal next week!

I am so excited!

Homecoming shirt!

These are our Alpha Phi homecoming shirts!

They are soo cute!

What a week!

I have been doing so many fun things I just have not gotten around to blogging about them...

Last week was homecoming and the Inauguration of the new President...

which meant...

Street Fair on Monday

A hypnotist on Tuesday

An ESPN dance on Wednesday (as much as I love to dance- I did not attend!)

Some speakers on Thursday

AND

The Goo Goo Dolls concert on Friday!

Alpha Phi Amumni/Family BBQ A rained out parade and tailgate party and a freezing football game!

We got the cutest homecoming shirts- I will have to put a picture up of them!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I hope you have a wonderful Birthday...

I love you!

My fabulous fall

I had a little incident Thursday morning... I fainted (I have never fainted before, and it was possibly the scariest thing that has ever happened to me) while getting ready for class and hit everything on my way down! (This included the counter, open drawer, wall, floor and I brought down the hot hair straightener as well.) Luckily my roommate was there and stuck with me the entire day!

Note: That my hair loks really good- I was on my way to hand out bids for Alpha Phi! I had a flower in my hair until one of the nurses took it out!

I am doing much better today, I am still tired and my face is sore but everyday I know I am going to get better!

Be Fabulous!

"I want fabulous, that is my simple request, all things fabulous, bigger and better and best, I need something inspiring to help me get along, I need a little fabulous is that so wrong?!"

Not the best picture- but it is the back of our Rush shirts for Alpha Phi this semester!

My word for this year is FABULOUS!

This year I am going to...

Have FABULOUS grades

Have a FABULOUS social life

Get into FABULOUS shape

Make FABULOUS and maintain FABULOUS relationships

Try to have a FABULOUS personality

I know it has been FOREVER since I have blogged... It is RUSH week so I have been busy every single night! It has been a ton of fun meeting all of these new, and fabulous girls! It is going to be a FABULOUS semester!

I love the Disney channel! I have been a fan of Disney since forever, and I absolutely love High School Musical! I even went to High School Musical Live this past January! (I went with my 12 year old sister!) I was even counting down the days until High School Musical 2- I was a little skeptical at first with it being a sequal and all but I was very impressed! I watched it the night it came out and I have also watched the "sing-a-long" edition! Yes, I did sing along! I even own a copy of the soundtrack!

Luckily my roommate loves HSM2 just as much as I do, so there is no need for me to try and explain why I love Disney! I sometimes think I missed my calling in life- I think I was supposed to be a Disney Pop Star! If you haven't seen it, sit down and watch it!

I LOVE my family!

I know that this is out of order but I just want to have it blogged!

We had our Ray Reunion in July and it was so much fun! Here are a few pictures and memories from those few days we all spent together!

Karaoke, Talent Show, GPS, Tye dye, pool, paper plate awards, eating, talking, picture taking, hiking, and being a family!

Maddie and I! We had so much fun with each other- we bonded over High School Musical, and Hannah Montana! She really was so much fun to be with!

We somehow got Darin in this funny pose!

Got cups?!
All of the grandchildren!

A few of the cousins on the GPS scavenger hunt!

Trip Wrap Up!

We stayed really busy the entire time Elaine was here, but I did not document everything with pictures! We took a tour of Temple Square, and also the Conference Center. I just love Temple Square! We met my Aunt Elisa and her kids for part of the afternoon, it was fun to see them!

On the last day we hiked Emerald Pools. It was a lot easier than Angels Landing but I was still tired!
It was sooo much fun to have Elaine out for the week! I wish it could have been a little longer! It was great to share my new surroundings with her! Miss you Elaine!

Angels Landing!

I have never been much of a hiker, so I am not sure why I felt so inclined to hike Angels Landing but I am SO glad that Elaine and I did! It was a challenging hike- it has inspired me to get in better shape! There were a few times where we did not know exactly where to go which was a little scary, but we did it! The view from the top was definately worth all of the hard work!

Elaine and I at the top!

Don't look down!

Me in a cave on the way down!

Zion Ponderosa Day #3

We are so lucky to live so close to the Zion Ponderosa Resort! We were able to do three different activities, and we chose horseback riding, wall climb/ zip-line, and 4-wheeling! Elaine and I are such city girls, it was fun to be "outdoorsy"!

Elaine on her first horse back ride!
Me almost at the top of the climbing wall! (I made the mistake of looking down- BIG mistake!)

Waving right before I took off down the zip-line!

It was a busy but fun day, we tried to go to sleep at a decent hour because the next morning we hiked.... ANGELS LANDING!

Bryce Day #2

Can you believe that the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon are only 3 1/2 hours apart but look so different from one another?! The reds, browns, greens, and orange colors are so beautiful! It was a warmer day but it cooled off quickly after a mid-afternoon storm! This is just so different from anything we have on the East Coast!

Bryce Canyon!
What a gorgeous view!

Rockville, Grand Canyon- Day 1

Rockville, Utah! How funny is that?! If you look closely you will see us givng the "05" for the year we graduated from RHS!

My dad, myself, and Emily at the Grand Canyon! We could not have asked for better weather, and the Grand Canyon was just as amazing as ever!

The Grand Canyon North Rim!

I am so glad that we were able to see the Grand Canyon, it is truly an amazing place! My mom always reminds us that people come from all around the world to see this. I guess this is a reminder not to take all of my surroundings for granted!

Summer Reading

I have been reading a bunch since I got home last month....

I have read "Gone With The Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
"The Lovely Bones" by, Alice Sebold
"Digging to America" by, Anne Tyler

I would have to say out of those three my favorite was "Gone With The Wind". In fact it has become my new favorite book (replacing Pride and Prejudice). Much to my mother's dismay I identified a little too much with Scarlett! Her character sometimes made me laugh out loud, her opinions, decisions, and things she said were very ahead of her time! She was dramatic, spoiled, jealous, and did a lot of things out of spite. Note: These are not the reasons I identified with her! I can't really put my finger on why I liked her so much...

Text to Real Life Connections (Thank you AP Lit.)

"She could get Rhett back. She knew she could. There had never been a man she couldn't get, once she set her mind upon him." - Once or twice (a very long time ago) I may have been quoted saying this.

"I'll think of it all tomorrow... I can stand it then."
"I won't think of it now. I can't stand it now. I'll think of it later"- This is Scarlett's favorite method of coping with her problems. I have been known to say this, but after reading Gone With The Wind I have discovered that it is probably not the best coping method!

FUTURE READING

I think Sanjay Gupta (NOT Sanjaya from American Idol) is so hot- which is the real reason I took a picture with his book "Chasing Life". He is also smart, and a doctor, all of which add to the hot factor. However, I did watch a segment on CNN about the book and it seemed pretty interesting.

I am currently reading "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" (that has a nice ring to it) by Marisha Pessl. It sounds a lot smarter than it really is!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Here are a few things I just love about you! (44 to be exact!)

1. You always listen even when I go on and on and on
2. You have a great sense of humor
3. You are thoughtful
4. You love your family
5. You love the gospel
6. You are an example to me
7. You love to read and have passed that on to each of your girls
8. You are creative
9. You are a "cool" mom
10. You are smart
11. You support us in everything that we do.
12. You are unselfish- you always put others before yourself
13. You know how to make cheese, soap, lip gloss, etc.
14. You know how to text message
15. You are open minded
16. You celebrate things in 100 month increments
    
17. You are willing to try new things
18. You give good advice
19. You are a good friend
20. You are patient
21. You are a great public speaker
22. You are a democrat
23. You are knowledgeable about the world
24. You are a good teacher
25. You knit your own socks
26. You are optimistic
27. You always find the good in others
28. You are a really great driver, especially in reverse
29. You love your three daughters and husband
30. You hate shopping especially at the mall- but do it (See #12)
31. You volunteer your time and talents
32. You have amazing skin
33. You are always tan
34. You hardly ever yell
35. You hate to have your picture taken
36. You plan fun vacations
37. You know how to have fun
38. You are not fake
39. You are honest
40. You have and keep high standards
41. You do not look 44
42. You are one of my very best friends
43. You are fabulous!
44. You are MY mom!

Happy Birthday Mom! I hope you have a great birthday!
I love you!

The End of Second Semester!

We are slowly wrapping everything up...

and by the end of the night...

Only one girl will sleep here tonight...

The apartment will be cleaner than it has ever been...

The parking lot will be close to empty...

We will have all said our "good-byes" ...

I can't believe that it is over!

These are a few of my books from this semester- I was extremely glad to sell them back. I decided that I should go into the selling text books business!

This was my last load of things... some people thought this was all I had! They did not realize that I moved most of my stuff last week!
My side of the apartment....
NOTE: Everyone loved their frames and notes!

My 100 list!

I loved reading everyone's list of 100 things, so I decided to make my own. It took me about a month to come up with them.. but here they are!

Alicia's 100

1. I am the oldest daughter and granddaughter on both sides of my family.
2. I LOVE polka dots
3. I lived in NYC for a semester
4. I saw Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz in Little Italy before they were “officially together”
5. I talk to my mom almost every single day on the phone.
6. I was voted “Best to take home to your parents” my Senior year
7. I have had the same best friend since 8th grade.
8. I collect quotes.
9. I met Brad from Real World San Diego
10. I love to make “to do” lists- there is something about being able to check off each completed task!
11. I worked at Old Navy (and will again…)
12. I love to write little notes and cards to people!
13. I can do the splits.
14. I love to workout but I am not in that great of shape!
15. I want to get into better shape!
16. I hate cantaloupe and ham.
17. I try to write in my journal almost every single night. (I have been writing since I was about 8 and have probably 12 journals!)
18. I believe in living “Happily Ever After…”
19. My two favorite shows are LOST and The Office.
20. I am a member of the International Sorority Alpha Phi
21. I lived in Texas, California, Maryland, NYC, and now Utah.
22. I am definitely an East Coast kind of girl.
23. I have been told numerous times that I come across extremely snobby, but it is just because I am shy at first!
24. I need to be more careful about the things that I say because my words are very powerful. (I have been told this)
25. I am learning that not everyone is going to like me, but it is a hard lesson to learn because I can’t stand not being liked.
26. I want to know a lot about the world, so I watch CNN every morning and every night.
27. I LOVE my family more than they probably will ever know!
28. Even though I love living out here, I still cry after my parents leave from visiting me, or when I leave them!
29. I love sushi, and crabs (thanks to Elaine)!
30. I own a few pieces of Tiffany & Co. Jewelry.
31. I love paisley prints.
32. I love ribbon- I need to learn to use it more than just on gifts, and in my hair!
33. The first c.d. I ever bought was the Spice Girls.
34. I never watched Beverly Hills 90210 when it was actually on t.v. (I was only 12 when it ended) but I watch the re-runs whenever they are on, and I now own Season 1! NOTE: MOM- Season 2 is now on sale!
35. I love pedicures and French manicures.
36. I love Girl Scout Cookies- especially Thin Mints!
37. I wear glasses.
38. My first car was a Lime green VW Bug.
39. I can share clothes with one of my sisters, and can’t wait to share with the other one- it will triple the size of my wardrobe!
40. I have not grown any taller since 8th grade.
41. My major is Hospitality and Resort Management.
42. I have repelled off of a cliff.
43. I had three photos published in my schools literary magazine- one was used on the cover, and one was the title page!
44. I have seen seven musicals on Broadway.
45. I cried in the movie theater when I saw the Disney movie Tarzan.
46. I have ridden a Greyhound bus to NYC.
47. I rode an airplane all by myself when I was 6 years old.
48. I found a dinosaur bone- with the help from my grandpa!
49. I have lost good friends over really stupid things.
50. I GOOGLE everything- it has only failed me a few times!
51. I was the editor of the yearbook my senior year of high school.
52. I do not like to camp but I volunteered myself to be the assistant YCL director last summer at Girls Camp. (It was an awesome week!)
53. My favorite colors are aqua, pink, and brown.
54. I have a treasure box that I keep old cards, pictures, and other miscellaneous things from people who have taught me important life lessons (both good and bad).
55. I have an impractical Coach bag but I love it anyways.
56. I have celebrated my 100th month Birthday- a tradition I want to carry on when I have my own family.
57. I need to be better at eating my vegetables.
58. I collect Vera Bradley bags and accessories!
59. I am obsessed with Facebook, I check it multiple times a day.
60. I went to a private Catholic high school for my freshman year.
61. I have ridden in a limo a few times.
62. I went to horse camp twice.
63. I love lady bugs, and they are attracted to my hair.
64. I have never broken a bone. (knock-on-wood)
65. I have many inside jokes with family and friends!
66. I love the Disney Channel.
67. I am two years behind in my scrapbook.
68. My graduation ceremony was held at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C.
69. I do not need much sleep, but I love to sleep.
70. My favorite book I read in high school was Pride and Prejudice.
71. I flirt with boys without even knowing it- it isn’t a good thing!
72. I try not to eat white bread and a lot of crackers.
73. I love to eat Caesar Salad.
74. I looked up to my twin babysitters when I was 10, and I still do at 20!
75. I over analyze everything.
76. I would love to have my entire wardrobe bought at Anthropologie, J. Crew, and Ralph Lauren.
77. I never order anything from catalogs but I LOVE to get them!
78. I do not think I talk on my cell phone a lot but from October-April I had talked for 90 hours. That is talking for almost 3 ½ days straight! Is that a lot?!
79. I do not like brown soda- or really any soda! (I do love cherry-limeaides, and sprite mixed with lemonade on occasion though!)
80. I love UGG boots.
81. I love the trail mix from Target.
82. I have an awesome immune system (I somehow escaped catching MONO, Bronchitis, pneumonia, stomach flu, and strep throat from my five roommates),
83. I want to leave my mark wherever I go
84. My faith and my family are two of the most important things to me.
85. I want people to know who I am and what I stand for.
86. I did not have a passport or written parental consent when I went to Canada as a 16 year old. Oops!
87. I love the 80’s and wish I could have been a teenager during the 80’s and early 90’s. (I like Madonna, leggings, and leg-warmers)
88. I have an amazing memory when it comes to what I was wearing or what other people were wearing. For example, I do not really remember anything that happened in my 10th grade chemistry class but I do remember on the day we took a test on elements my teacher was wearing these hideous black acid wash jeans with an orange polo shirt… I know that this talent is going to come in handy some day!
89. I want to go to Paris, France.
90. I pose in almost every single picture I take- I do not even mean to do it! (I have pictures from when I was 2 and I am posing!)
91. I want to learn to golf.
92. I need to work on being more patient.
93. I can’t stand Public Displays of Affection.
94. I have extremely real dreams- sometimes I wake up mad at the person in my dream.
95. I love sour candy.
96. I can’t eat anything grape flavored- it reminds me of children’s chewable aspirin.
97. I am allergic to ibuprofen.
98. My stomach growls even when I am not hungry.
99. I have been told that I wear my heart on my sleeve.
100. I did not think I had 100 things to write- but I did it!

Goodbye Gifts...

There are a lot of things I could (should) be doing...

There is

cleaning
packing
and studying to be done BUT this is what I am doing instead!


I bought each of my roommates frames (Gotta Love Target) and tied on coordinating bows... I am in the process of writing each of them a little note... that will be tomorrows task! This is a lot more fun than reading about Issuing Bonds at a Premium!

Some random reflections from my sophomore year!

Spring is FINALLY here!

(For today at least!)

I can't believe that I only have 2 more weeks here- I am excited and a little sad! I have been thinking a lot lately and when I am not thinking about school I have been thinking about the past few years... I have learned soo many things in the past two years (that will have to be future blog). I was looking through some pictures that I took right before I went to school my freshman year of college and I have changed so much. Not just how I look, but my opinions and attitudes towards different things. I think they have been changes for the better! (Don't worry mom I haven't changed everything!) Even though I have learned so much I have a ton of things I still need to learn- I am keeping a list in my notebook and may be calling on a few of you to help me out!

My new winning deck!

At Wal- Mart last night I found a deck of cards I could not pass up! (Pink and Brown, Argyle- a few of my favorites!) I have a good feeling about this deck- I think I will be winning a lot of NERTZ games!

Look what I found! (on my study break!)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Vera Bradley, and her collection has just gotten even better! There are now pajama pants!

Alright... back to my 12 page English paper!

Happy Easter!

I was able to go up to Logan to celebrate Easter this year! I had a 4 day weekend which was very nice. I was able to spend time with some of my cousins, and also my grandparents! I was able to drive up to Smithfield on Saturday afternoon to spend time with G'pa and G'ma. It was very nice to catch up with both of them!

I helped hide Easter eggs for my cousins... I took a walk with my Grandma and we swung on her neighbors swing, this swing has been there for as long as I can remember!