Visit from Logan!

My dearest friend Katie came down from Logan to see me this past weekend. We lived together my first year at SUU. She is so sweet to drive all the way from Logan. It was just what I needed this week to make everything seem alright!

We had fun...

eating

talking

running errands

watching Arrested Development and The Office

and our fave The Women

Taking pictures

Decorating cookies!

Talking some more

and giving words of wisdom and hope.

Thanks again for everything Katie! I Love you.

He's Just Not That Into You

"We are all programmed to believe that if a guy acts like a total jerk that means he likes you."

False. (After 8th grade this rule is not applicable.)

Back in the day- my Freshmen year of college I got dumped. I cried. and cried. and cried some more. My stomach felt as if I was on a roller coaster and about to drop down a big hill but the hill never came, and my stomach stayed like that for awhile. Well right around that time the book He's Just Not That Into You was becoming popular, and I was flipping through a magazine that had an article written by the authors. It was about getting over being dumped and surviving. Well in my head I was going to do those things but in the end I was still going to get him back. (Wrong.) The tips were good- I had to adapt some of them since I was not living with him/sleeping with him/etc. But I have always liked their advice. I also like, "Its Called a Breakup Because It Is Broken".

Anyways... I learned a lot. I have learned a lot since then, and one of the things I have learned is that sometimes guys are just not that into me. When I saw a preview for this movie I knew I had to see it. We were going to see it on Valentines Day but then decided we could not wait- and plus that might have been a little depressing. The book and movie are so true.

STOP making excuses for guys when they are mean, do not make excuses when they do not call or do not ask you out on a second/third/fourth date. He is just not that into you. Its not a bad thing- its life. Of course, nobody likes to admit this. Everyone wants to be liked, nobody enjoys finding out someone does not like them, even someone they do not like. But its a good thing to realize and know. The last guy I really liked, and I really did like him- just didn't like me. I could not figure it out- I made excuses... but really he just didn't like me. Lost his phone? Lost my number? Too busy? Intimidated by me? Nope.

Of course, one of those excuses could be true. But that would make me the exception. Not the rule. And chances are, you are almost always the rule.

See the movie, even if you are married. It will just make you that much happier that you are married and do not have to play this game we call dating.

Lesson Learned.

You should always bring your glasses to your photography class.

If you don't...

You will write a paragraph review of a photo you can't really see-

instead of soldiers walking through a field

you will write that they are farmers working in a field.

Wrong.

Lesson learned. I will make sure to always have my glasses in my photography class.

"Well Gouda's My Favorite"

Can you name that movie?

(She's The Man)

For my Strategic Management class we were supposed to read the book, Who Moved My Cheese. I remember hearing a lot about it a few years ago, but I never read it. Well, I read it this morning online- saving 70 prints and avoiding having to read it in the Business Building Office. It was really funny. I kind of felt like a little child reading a book about mice and little people!

It is all about change and how we deal with it or do not deal with it. Change seems to be the word of the year. I took a few notes on a few of my favorite parts...

"What would you do if you weren't afraid?"

(Good question to ask yourself)

"Take control rather than simply letting things happen to you."

"When you move beyond your fear, you feel free."

(This is true)

"What you are afraid of is never as bad as what you imagine."

(I have had a bad habit of imagining bad scenarios in my head- I tell myself it helps me prepare for what could happen but in reality its better to imagine the best outcome!)

"Laugh at your own folly- then you can let go and quickly move on."

(One thing I am working on is learning to laugh- I loved Elder Wirthlins talk Come What May, and Love It.)

"Do not over analyze or over complicate things"

(I have been known to do both of these things- but I am getting better!)

AND...

"Envision yourself in realistic detail of finding something BETTER."

Yes. Yes. Yes.

The quotes I chose do not really have a lot to do with change, but I still really like them. I try every day to work on being positive, and I honestly believe that when I do this and really try my day is soo much better.

I will STRETCH to always and try to be positive and when things do change or do not go the way I originally planned, I will not stop & freak out- I will take control and move on.

My word for the year!

I know it's already February but I have been working on my word for a month now!

I want to STRETCH...

• Participate and do things that are typically out of my comfort zone.


• Push myself to do things I typically would choose not to do.


• Be open to new ideas and expeiences.

You are old. But dont't worry- only in Utah.

I hardly took any pictures on my birthday! It was a good day- I am a whole year older. I feel old- 22. By 22 I thought I would know a lot more than I do! (When I was a freshman in HS I looked at the seniors and thought they knew everything- and when I was a senior I realized that I did not know everything, so I am going to assume they did not know everything either!) I really did not want to turn this age. I think its because a lot of my friends are younger than me.. but then someone at Alpha Phi reminded me that 22 outside of Utah is not old. But in Utah it is- I mean really... I should be married, and have a kid by now. ha ha.

In Case You Were Wondering What I Did All Day:

At midnight my roommates and I went to Dennys- its basically the only thing open past midnight. The waiter brought me ice cream and a brownie. Plus I ate some fried pancake/french toast like things and sausage. I woke up very very full.

Kady decorated the kitchen in Pink and bought me pink donuts!! I love pink.

I ran some errands.

Wore All Black All Day- for Alpha Phi (not because I am mourning my youth or anything).

Went to class.

My teacher knew it was my birthday. Kind of weird.

I went to my internship. A lady came down to where I work in the basement with a vase of flowers. and a snow scraper. Both were from my friend Ian. (I have no idea where my snow scraper is- so I told him that is what I wanted- he thought of the flowers on his own!)

My friend Kassidy picked me up from my internship- which was one of the best gifts ever because it meant I did not have to walk home in the freezing cold with flowers and a snow scraper.

I went to Alpha Phi for our last night of RUSH. I have had Alpha Phi almost every single night for 2 weeks!

I came home and changed- thinking I did not want to be in black at dinner-so I am the one in the bright blue scarf! (Thanks mom + family) My roomies and some Alpha Phi friends came- thank you everyone!

Group picture!

Kristy and me!

My flowers!

Thank you all for your sweet gifts, cards, texts, phone calls, and facebook messages!

Also- thank you mom for 22 amazing years!

Reunited

LOVE and AOE.

Sharlene was in Mexico last semester- having the time of her life! She is my BIG SIS in Alpha Phi and also one of my best friends and is now one of my roommates! It is great to have her back in Cedar City. I missed her a ton. She is one of the happiest and positive people I know. She is always up to do anything. I am so glad that she is a part of my life. She has definately been a huge part of my college experience! Love you Shar.

You too can go from trash to trash with class

Do you have a brown paper bag just lying around?

Do you want to put it to good use?

Good news! You can make an entire outfit out of one brown paper bag!

Sound too good to be true?

Read on.

Steps 1-4

It has been GREEK week here at SUU- and one night we participated in a Trash Bash Dance. Shar and I got really excited and decided to take step-by-step pictures for everyone to see! (It's not like we had any studying to be doing or anything!)

Go through the trash and recycling. Collect anything you think you may ever want to wear. (If you are against dumpster diving- make your roommate/kid/husband do it for you.

Cut the bottom of the bag- this will transform your bag to a tube top inspired article of clothing.

Decorate however you desire- I chose ribbon!

Try on for size.

Steps 5-6 & Final Product

Have a helpful person become your assistant to help you adjust your design.

Do Not Forget to Accessorize.

I thought my outfit was pretty clever- until I saw these two!

I was a step above those just wearing a garbage bag though!

For my next trash bash

If I ever need to attend another Trash Bash (or if you find yourself in need of dressing in trash)... here are some ideas!

Quote of the Day

"Most of us fear change. Even when our minds say change is
normal, our stomachs quiver at the prospect. But for strategists and managers
today, there is no choice but to change."

- Robert Waterman Jr.

I found this quote in my Strategic Management book, and especially liked the first and last parts of the quote. I think its very fitting, especially for today!

Cheesecake Factory Date

My BFF Elaine and I have had a tradition since our Freshmen year of college to go and eat at the Cheesecake Factory during breaks that coincide with one another. Why cheesecake factory? It sounds grown-up, and while there are many other real grown up restaruants, we like the semi-grown-up prices. We get real drinks, appetizers, and sometimes dessert. I try to be money smart when I am at college! We always get the same thing- except this time, and of course it was a dissappointment. Not a huge dissappointment- just not the bomb.com I know there is a catchy phrase for when people do that- but I am bound to mix my metaphors so I will just leave it at that! Only four days into the semester and I am already struggling!

Pictures from our last Cheesecake Factory will not upload! This is vintage Cheesecake Factory date- around 2006!

Blonde REALLY is the new smart!

I am blonde. Okay, my natural hair color is blonde, right this second I am blonde/brunette. I have learned that no matter what my color I will always be "blonde". I am smart, but I have been known to have my moments. I know, I know, brunette people have their moments too, but have you ever heard of anyone ever having a "brunette moment"? I didn't think so. Which is why Legally Blonde is like, soooooo ME. I just connect. Need evidence? See below.

Elle Woods/ Me

Delta Nu /Alpha Phi

Fashion Merchandising Major /Once was a FM Major

Blonde/ Blonde

Dumped because she was not smart enough by someone going to an Ivy League school AND I have my theories about why I was dumped by someone going to a barely Ivy League school. J/K (but yes, sadly, I really was dumped.)

Well, she gets into law school at Harvard (like its hard?) and I went to Southern Utah- so that is basically where the similarities end.

My wonderful parents got the girls in the family tickets to see Legally Blonde The Muscial for Christmas! (Strangly my dad did passed on seeing the show. Weird.)

Before the Show

Mom and me!

Thanks for the tickets Mom & Dad! It was fabulous.

OH!!! and she loves pink and I love pink.

Duck Pin Bowling

Every Christmas Eve my family goes bowling- normal bowling or duck pin bowling (which isn't abnormal or anything- just 3 balls and smaller pins)! It is a fun tradition and one I am glad we have continued to do as a family! I definately want to continue this tradition with my own family.

3 balls

My bowling skills

Possible cover of a bowling magazine- I am sure one exists

Home!

I love my family. I love coming back home to Maryland. I look forward to coming home to visit (I have a countdown), and I always dread going back to school. Not because I don't love school- but because I love my family so much and don't want to leave them! I know- I'm weird!

Sisters!

Salt Lake Part 2

I love to see the lights on Temple Square! They are so pretty. However, they do begin turning off around 10:30! We were able to walk around and take some fun pictures!

It is a good thing I semi-keep up with my blog because I have not been writing in my journal as much as I used to! (New Year Resolution!) I have actually looked through my blog to double check some events!

Salt Lake Part 1

I made a quick trip up to SLC last weekend. I was able to meet up with some of my friends that I met over the Summer! (One of whom is leaving for her mission in just 2 short weeks!) We were able to go to the "Festival of Trees" and also Temple Square! I chose a few of my favorite trees...

"Sweet 16" Tree- because I still think I am 16. No- not really. But I loved the pink and green and sparkles!

My absolute fave!

Oh Twilight- this tree was so clever. Especially with the gifts underneath!

Cute chair- scrapbook paper and modge podge?! I'm sure it was a little more complex than that...

Last Post about Thanksgiving! (I think)

I obviously love Thanksgiving. Up until this point I do not think I have any pictures from Thanksgiving Day though! Here is one... thanks to Kim! (Who might I add- is a great photographer!)

One of my Thanksgiving Favorites is playing Nertz with everyone! Usually my BFF comes for at least one of the nights!

More of my favorites!