Dear Vegas...

This is why I miss you...

...but only sometimes.

Confession...I love it here right now! Weird, but true. I think its beautiful. True snow makes everything take longer (getting dressed, driving, walking, sometimes even thinking) but it has many pluses - sledding, snowboarding, layered winter clothes, Christmas spirit, and giving everyone the urge to cuddle up by the fire and do absolutely nothing :)

The Countdown Begins

As of now I have
four days of regular class,
one test,
and five finals
left before I can relax. Ready...go.

YIKES...

So I had some time today between statistics and biochemistry and instead of waiting in the hall outside my classroom - pretending to occupy myself on my phone like everyone else - I walked into the chemistry department offices and declared a chemistry minor. This decision was only semi-sporadic. I have been thinking about it for a while but today I saw the office and decided to just do it.

The nice thing about a chemistry minor is my major puts me one class away...so there isn't a lot of work I have to do.

The bad thing about a chemistry minor is I HATE CHEMISTRY. I can't stand it. I have had at least 3 credits of chemistry since my freshman year here. This year I am maxing out at 5...and its awful. And I'm not even that good at it. All of my lowest grades are in chemistry. I have to work really hard in chemistry, and its not fun for me.

It just makes sense for me to do it because I am so close. So its done...I am officially minoring in chemistry.

So here is to my last chemistry class (a FOUR credit lab!). The only good thing is I'm not taking it until next fall...so what I am really looking forward to next semester is a semester with no chemistry. :)

Thanksgiving Weekend

I LOVED Thanksgiving break this year. There is seriously nothing better than spending time with family and eating. Its the greatest. This year we had 16 people at our house for Thanksgiving dinner and then about 50 for dessert...so it was a party.

On Thanksgiving morning Danica and I ran a 5k which has become a fun tradition. Even though we are both out of shape as far as 5ks go, its fun to race every once in a while, especially with my sister.

After the run, all of our attention was turned to cooking.

Danica mixing up her favorite Thanksgiving dish - stuffing - in mass quantities. That's how we do it in our house :)

Everyone got in on the cooking Thanksgiving morning...some more willing than others (exhibit A...Drew's face).

Matthew was super proud of the apple pie (or should I say "Dutch Apple Crumble") he created himself...and he should have been...it was delicious.

My dad handled the turkey this year like he always does. This year we even got him in an apron haha

Beautiful table settings...

...delicious food...

...and a Thanksgiving nap. Nothing better.

For dessert we held our annual pie making competition...the catch - only men are allowed to enter (and the grandmas/great aunts are the judges...but that wasn't really intended to be a catch...it just happened). This year we had a total of 11 entries so the competition was intense.

Congratulations to Drew for winning for the second year in a row (although the legitimacy of last year is in question)...this year he won over the judges with a banana cream pie. Oh, and a special shout out to Rob and James for a tie in the "people's choice award" haha. Good job to all the men who participated...they were all delicious.

On Friday we recovered by going out into the dessert and shooting stuff...and when I say stuff I mean trash - old TVs, computers, bottles, cans, mattresses, whatever we can find really...and some clay pigeons. It was a little windy but it is always a good time.

Danica

Rob and Drew

More Danica...different style.

Me and Drew...I have goofy looking form I decided but hey...it gets the job done.


Matthew in his favorite shooting position. He was extremely dirty by the end of the day.

After shooting we all went and saw The Blind Side. So good...such a great family movie to finish out the weekend.

This Thanksgiving I have realized how thankful I am for my family. I know they are always there for me and I love how close we all our. Thanks family. I love you all.

Matthew's Baptism

Last weekend I went down to Vegas to see Matthew get baptized (and because she is practically part of the family, Jess came too). It was fun to see some of my family that I haven't seen in a long time (my mom! and my grandparents) and seeing Drew baptize Matthew was something that I will never forget - and I hope they won't either.

Drew and Matthew before the baptism.

The family...I don't know where I am looking in this one, but it is the only one where everyone else looks decent. Sad.

Matthew and the grandparents.


Matthew with all the aunts and uncles that were in town for the event.

All of the cousins that were there...not a great picture of everyone but with this many kids it turned out alright.

Congratulations Matthew on this big step in your life. Never forget it.

Weird

Here are some pictures taken from my apartment today...




...and the weird thing is...I'm kind of happy about it. Last night was the first real snow of the season. This morning I got up and had to scrape the snow off my car so I could go to the gym. It was snowing when I ran into the gym freezing in shorts and a sweatshirt. It has more turned into rain now but I'm sure it will snow more tonight. I was dreading this day...but today I don't care. I am excited about the snow, I am excited about winter...what is wrong with me? I guess I am just now appreciating living in a place that has seasons. Fall was beautiful and I think this winter is going to be a good one too (there is always the fact that I get to be in Vegas for a nice piece of it...that makes it a little more manageable haha). I am looking forward to this winter...you might just have to remind me that I said that in April...when its STILL winter haha.

Halloween at Disneyland

The past few years my family has been going to Disneyland over Halloween because the kids get school off on Friday (for Nevada Day) and its relatively uncrowded. This year Jess and I took a day off school and joined them for a fun time in California. Not only were we blessed with fun rides, short lines and good food, but the weather was beautiful (meanwhile...it was snowing in Provo haha).

My mom, being the excellent planner that she is, had both Friday and Saturday scheduled out for us...giving us the maximum ride time, the minimum wait time and even some free time :). On Friday we were standing outside Disneyland by 7:15 waiting for the park to open at 8. We got in right when it opened, ran through Downtown Disney (as I am trying to explain our surroundings to Jess who was experiencing Disneyland for the first time!) and straight to our first ride. The day went on with rides, running into people from home, a delicious lunch, and more rides. After dinner Danica, Drew, Jess and I went back into the park and partied it up until late.

Yay for DISNEYLAND!!!

Matthew and I on Dumbo with Jess and Danica behind us.


Drew, me, Danica, Jess and Matthew waiting (for the Matterhorn i think...)


Doesn't Danica looked thrilled to be riding with me haha.

This is probably my favorite picture. My family likes to make the pictures on the rides interesting by all making faces according to a certain theme. One time we were all monkeys, once we all had Jazz hands...but this theme was Asian tourist (sorry if that offends anyone). Best. Picture. Ever. My dad is just classic. Unfortunately Matthew is a little difficult to see behind him...but I promise he didn't fall out.

Jess and I got soaked on this ride...it took us the entire rest of the day to get dry. The picture was totally worth it though.

On Saturday we got to sleep in for a little and then we went to California Adventure and lined up to race to the Toy Story ride as soon as it opened. From there its all a blur of roller coasters, cotton candy, elevator drops (Tower of Terror) and Halloween decorations.

The girls on the Ferris wheel.

Matthew, Jess, Drew, and me...getting ready to blast off.

Last weekend was so much fun. It was so good seeing my family...especially my mom and sister because they refuse to come visit me like the rest of my family (*just kidding*) and to just relax. Amazingly I didn't do any homework the entire weekend. LOVELY. Thanks family!!

P.S. Jess...I am so glad you got to come. You can be a part of our family anytime. We all love you. I hope you enjoyed your first experience at Disneyland.

Good Decision

Yep, last week proved it. I made the right choice when I decided to major in physiology and developmental biology (I still hate how long the major is though...it sounds so nerdy). I picked it kind of on a whim before I even started college so I have always been worried about whether or not it was the right thing to do but I totally think it's right.

I thought this semester would be way overwhelming because I have all science and math classes, but it really isn't. Last week I had three tests (physiology, genetics, and biochemistry) and a pretty major quiz (organic chemistry lab) so I had to study more in one week than I think I have all semester...but I didn't even mind. I LIKED studying for these classes because I think they are super interesting. Weird. And...after studying quite a bit...I understand the concepts and the material...and I was able to do well on the tests.

That's how I know I've found it, I like learning the material, I like studying it and practicing it, and I understand it. I hope this doesn't sound like bragging because I don't understand a lot of things (just ask Sarah or my mom about my lack of understanding in English or ask me a question about physics because I probably can't answer it) but I know I am doing the right thing because I get physiology type stuff and I LOVE it.

Now...if I could just find a job I might have a shot at getting into PA school :)

True Blue

Every year BYU floods Helaman fields with gallons of blue foam. They have slip-n-slides, foam football, music and people everywhere! It is so much fun...especially with this group of people.

Ryan, Jess, Andrew, Blake and me, before the attack of the foam.

Jess, Ryan, Meegan, Andrew, me, and Blake...a little blue. We had all just finished having a massive foam fight after sliding down the slip-n-slide. Meegan and the boys' shirts used to be white...I wonder if they will ever be the same...

All clean...well...as good as it's gonna get.

There really is nothing like a field full of blue foam...or going home and dying the shower blue...or scrubbing blue off of our skin for weeks...haha but it was all totally worth it.

Good Advice

Friday in class my biochemistry teacher said something that really got me thinking this weekend...so I decided to share it. Maybe if I talk/write/type enough about it I will never forget it.

He was telling us how to prepare for the test we have next week (1 of 3 for me)...saying all of the normal stuff - study the slides, do practice problems, get a good night sleep before, eat a good breakfast - but then he said something I have never heard before - get dressed up. Now, I don't know about you but if I'm preparing to spend a good two or three hours in the testing center, the last thing I want to do is put on a skirt and some heels. But, then he explained...do whatever you have to do to make yourself feel good, successful, and cool. He said the concept is simple, you can't be cool and stressed at the same time. If you walk into the testing center feeling like a rock star, you can't be worried about your test.

It was all really funny when he was talking about it, but the more I think about it the more it comes down to self confidence. BYU has a tendency to do funny things to people self confidences...or at least mine. Its something my dad warned me about before my freshman year and I still struggle with it now.

I got back from London this summer feeling like a whole new me. I felt like I had conquered a foreign city by myself and I was ready for anything. I could feel something different in me - I was confident, sure of myself, and stood tall. Then I came back to school where everyone is amazing. There is always someone smarter than you, prettier than you, funnier than you, happier than you, more talented than you, so its really hard to find your niche...where you fit in. This can take a toll on one's self confidence and, without even noticing it, it has taken its toll on mine. I can feel myself smaller than I was this summer (if that makes any sense at all to anyone but me) and I don't like it.

So I guess the point of all this is that I plan on taking Dr. Herron's advice (probably the only thing I've learned in that class that I will ever use again) and applying it to my life. Everywhere I go I want to feel like my best self...because then I will be my best self. I can't feel good about myself and be nervous about what the guy next to me thinks about me, or be intimidated to talk to new people...they just can't happen at the same time. This doesn't mean I am going to be self absorbed, just confident in me and who I am.

After discussing this with a friend, he mentioned that there may be a lot of people with more talents, or greater abilities, but no one exactly like me. No one can do what I am supposed to do, in the way that I can do it...and the job I am supposed to do can't get done if I am hiding who I am or pretending to be someone I am not. So...here is to feeling like my best self, standing tall and being me - and hopefully doing well on my biochemistry test this week ;)

A Visit From Home

Last weekend my dad came up to Utah with my brother and my uncle for the BYU game...oh and maybe to see me...just maybe. It was a lot of fun to hang out with my brother on Saturday...he suffered through my intramural volleyball game and didn't even criticize me! Then Drew, Jess and I met up with my uncle for lunch at the Art City Trolley where he used to work. The food was so good and the company was pretty fun too ;)

On Sunday my dad took us all out to brunch in Salt Lake. Even though it wasn't the buffet we wanted it was still delicious. It was so fun to spend time with my family...hopefully the rest of the family will come back and visit sometime soon. Thanks for a great weekend guys!

My grandpa, me, and my dad outside the Grand America...where we had breakfast in Salt Lake.

Miss This

I love living at Crestwood. I love our apartment. I love all of the people I have met. I love our ward. I also love our pool. It was so nice at the beginning of the school year to sit by the pool and socialize (always with a textbook sitting right next to us...nice and closed haha). Unfortunately, the weather is getting colder and school is getting more involved so I don't have hours a day to spend laying out like I got so used to doing this summer. I have been thinking about this a lot this week as I have been spending my time studying and taking tests (three times in the testing center already...I haven't even been here a month!) so I thought I would share some pictures of how nice life used to be here.

Jess, me, and Cheyenne taking a little study break.

Brittney, Jess, and me cooling off.


Donovan, Michelle, me, Jess, and Blake taking a late night study break in the hot tub.

Its a Little Late...

...but I just had to share our first day of school picture. I totally felt like I was in elementary school when we took this (and sometimes I wish I was...it was a whole lot easier).

Thursdays are the New Fridays

Because Jess doesn't have class on Fridays, she now starts her weekend on Thursday nights. Since I am such a good friend, I have chosen to support her...even though I have five hours of class on Fridays. We usually go down to the pool, relax around the apartment and (most importantly) don't do any homework. Last Thursday we had a classic girls movie night.

The essentials...diet Dr. Pepper (I am the green straw, Jess is the red) and kettle corn.


I love roommate movie nights...I can look like this and its totally fine. We always have so much fun just laying around. Thanks for not having class on Fridays Jess!

What is Wrong With Me?

Okay, I think I may have said this on my blog before, but I don't like Miley Cyrus. I don't really know why...the Hannah Montana show is cute enough, I just don't like her music...or maybe its the actress-gone-singer thing the Disney Channel always tries to do. Maybe it's because everyone likes her, so I don't...or maybe I'm jealous she is famous and I'm not. I don't know.

Anyway, I was listening to the radio this morning and this song came on. It was one of those things where I had heard the song before but had never really listened to it...it was always in the background before. So...stuck in traffic on the way to school, I had nothing better to do than to listen and I was really liking what I was hearing. I thought it was a cool beat, a unique sounding voice...my kinda thing. During the chorus I am trying to figure out what the title is so I can remember to download it when I get home, when the line "party in the USA" comes on. Now it hit me...this is "Party in the USA"...the Miley Cyrus song people have been talking about (pole dancing...Teen Choice Awards...). It's weird that I had never really heard it before but it doesn't really surprise me...Utah is a little behind on radio...we were still stuck on "The Climb" for a while (it used to come on at least once an hour). Once I started really paying attention I could hear that it was her...but it does sound a little different than some of her other stuff.

So...the important part of this confession/rant is that as soon as I realized what the song was and who was singing I was totally turned off. I almost instinctively changed the station...when 10 seconds before I had been totally rocking out. All because I found out it was a Miley song and I don't like her. Sad...but true. What kind of a person does that? She has never done anything to me...why do I have this block against her in my mind?

Goodbye Summer

Hello school...

The funniest thing about this is...as I was putting all of these books back on my shelf, it decided to come crashing down. So...I don't have a shelf for my books anymore...just four nice holes in my wall.

Let's look on the bright side...now I can move my bed to that wall if I get the urge :)

I'm Obsessed

For my birthday my aunts and uncles went in together and got me a gift certificate to my favorite beauty supplies store - Ulta. Then...my aunt told me about this product that has now become my new best friend.
Its a dry shampoo that I just spray on whenever I don't have time to wash my hair but I feel like its getting a little greasy. haha...this is starting to sound like a commercial but I just want all my aunts and uncles to know what I am doing with their gift...and I want to say thank you so much. This is now officially one of my new favorite things.

Finally!

A little while ago I wrote a post about moving in...and I showed some pictures of my boring empty room. Well, my room is not boring or empty any more! I have finally finished decorating it and I really like it. I had to buy a new chair so I could walk through my room...but no worries.

The view of my room from the door. Even though the room is pretty skinny, this picture makes it look skinnier that it really is.

The rest of the wall. My closet door is just to the right of this. I just realized I have a lot of squares going on here...

My desk...nothing too exciting going on here.

I had to put a close-up of these pictures because I painted them myself. Unfortunately, I did not get the artistic genes from my mother, so I am pretty proud of these simple paintings. It was actually really fun to do...especially signing my name in the corner when I was done :)

These were the shelves that were left in my room that I had to work around. Nice for storage...not so nice for placement.

The view of my room from the window. Nothing too exciting, just my little closet and the hallway.

I do need a suggestion though...I want to hang some hooks or something on the wall behind my door so I can hang all my purses but have them out of the way. If anyone sees anything cute let me know!

I really enjoy it here. It is really social and I love the girls that I have met so far. My ward is super welcoming so things are looking good for this upcoming year.