attitude of gratitude {days 9-19}

I'm super behind with this project...but here's the next section anyway.  {click here for part 1}

9 - friends - I'm grateful for all my friends, no matter the length of the friendship.  They have gotten me through the good and the bad times and have shaped much of who I have become.  They teach me things I never knew about myself.  They keep my thoroughly entertained.  I love them.

10 - indoor plumbing - Who honestly wants to squat over a hole in the backyard?  Or run outside to an outhouse?  Especially in the middle of winter.  No thank you.  Whoever invented toilet paper?  Genius.  Also, never having to share bath water with siblings?  Awesomeness.  I like showers.

11 - government and military - I am so blessed to live in a place where I am free to choose what to do with my life, have guaranteed rights and liberties, and the opportunity to have a say in how our country is run (aka the right to vote).  I grateful for those who sacrifice their time, and even their life, to serve this country and its citizens to protect their freedoms.

12 - cell phones - I complain about how much I hate my phone often-- how slow it is, functions it doesn't have, and just how crappy it is in general.  But really, it does so much for me.  I take pictures on it more than I do with my real camera.  It helps me to keep in touch with family and friends through phone calls, texting, and social media apps.  It prevents me from getting completely lost with navigation and answers stupid questions with Google.

13 - ducks {and geese} - Ducks are pretty much the greatest animal on the planet.  They are definitely in my top three favorite animals.  For some reason, they make me unexplainably happy.  I haven't been infatuated with them as much this school year, but I still think they're pretty awesome.

14 - zumba - So if you know me, like, at all, you know growing up I was not athletic at all.  I hated sports.  I hated gym.  Being athletic was NOT my forte.  Then, one of the summers after high school, I decided to give AquaZumba a shot.  My mom and her friends (who are pretty much my second and third moms) were doing it...so if middle-aged moms could do it, a nineteen year old could, right?  Right!  I fell in love.  The next fall I signed up for a normal Zumba class for school and the love has continued.  Who knew exercising could be fun?

15 - shameless self-photos - If somebody was to look through the pictures on my phone, they would probably tell me the amount of pictures I take of myself is obscene.  Honestly, I just get bored....so this occasionally provides a form of entertainment.

clothes AND shameless self-portraits....embarrassing eh?

16 - clothes - Granted, a small percentage of the population could probably walk around without clothes and nobody would complain...but for the majority clothing is a good great thing.  Clothes cover up some of the scars, flaws, and imperfections I don't wish to share with the world.  It allows me to express myself.  I definitely am not a pro at throwing outfits together, but knowing how I used to dress, I can say I am significantly better at it.

17 - Aggie Athletics - I don't care if you have a card proclaiming you are a "True Aggie" because you kissed somebody on the A at midnight the night of a full moon.  You are NOT a True Aggie if you do not support Aggie sports.  Last Saturday some of my roommates and I sat in the Spectrum for over six hours watching the football and basketball games.  The football game was crazy.  I'll admit, I got worried.  I lost hope even. The last half we weren't doing so hot, so how could we win?  Whelp, we went into overtime, and guess what?  The Aggies pulled through, won, and now are ranked #25.  Basketball did not disappoint either.  I love screaming and cheering on my Aggies.

18 - parents who love each other - It's often easy to take something like this for granted.  It's just life to me.  But then life sinks in and I see friends whose parents are divorced.  Or have friends say they think their parents should divorce.  As a kid, I know I played out the scenario of "which parent would you live with if they got divorced?" in my head (did other people do that too? or was I just a weird kid?), but ultimately, I knew I would never have to choose.  Ever.  I was certain.  I always knew my parents loved each other.  I still do.  And I hope that one day, I'll be able to have a forever marriage like theirs.

19 - creativity - My creativity lacks a lot of times.  But I'm thankful for those who are creative...and even more thankful for those who share their creativity on the internet.  Because, then it allows others, such as my only-semi-creative-self, to get ideas and do awesome things.  Pinterest has allowed for new crafts ideas galore.  Every once in a while, I do create something with my own imagination, but, by golly, others have such nifty ideas!

sombreros, gangnam style, and a cardboard cat

So, minus the fact I've been sick, this weekend has been pretty stellar.

Highlights include:

• Scoring a super comfy, super cute hoodie for practically half price
• Olive Garden {salad and breadsticks?!  mmm..and pasta :) super delish}
• Aggie basketball....and even better because we won! {there were some moments the score was WAY too close for comfort}
• Hanging out with these cool kids

photo stolen from Alyse

So...we pretty much had a mobile dance party.  We all dressed up {too bad you can't see the back of my jacket...it's a party of its own}.  Basically Sombrero Man {Blake} would knock on an apartment's door, make up some story which involved plugging his boombox into their wall, and start dancing.  {apparently people's initial reactions are pretty funny.}  We'd all pour into the apartment and party it up!  Some people would just stare at us...but others would hop up and dance too.  As we made our way from apartment to apartment our group doubled {at least!}  Most additions were just in normal clothes....but about halfway through we had the silly Old Farm gorilla join in!

I'm pretty sure I made myself sicker by screaming for my Aggies and dancing around all Saturday night....but I would do it again in a heartbeat!  I love my neighbors and the crazy shenanigans they think up :)

happiness is...

happiness is....

• pretty autumn trees and leaves dotting the earth

• holding hands with a cute boy
• pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
• Diet Coke.  especially if it's giant.

• clean bedrooms
• spending time with family
• new music
• Chick-Fil-A

• awesome coworkers
• amusement parks
• finally completing an outfit how i imagined it
• peacocks at dinner

• playing with my sister's puppies
• an unexpected letter from a missionary
• hot chocolate on a chilly day

happiness is life.

what i've been up to - life dump

Honestly, I don't know what I've been up to lately.

I remember once upon a time I was going to post about my spring break adventures.  And then I never did. 

So let's back track to March.

Creighton, Kevin, and I got sushi.  Delish.

 And we went on an epic zoo adventure.

And I went out to three movies that week:  This Means War, Chronicle, and The Lorax.  I had heard mixed things about the Lorax, but I loved it.  And we {Angie, Kevin, Creighton, and I} went up to North Salt Lake and just ended up staring at the city.  I love city lights :)  The rest of the week was made up of yoga, Killer Bunnies, and a slurpee run with a talk on the Boulevard.

The next week consisted of Humans vs Zombies.  After half-heartedly signing up, I ended up having a lot of fun.  It looks like the stupidest game...but if you allow yourself, you will have good time! :)

Some of the roommates and I decided to go to Festival of Colors.  We'll let pictures do the talking.

That same weekend we saw the Hunger Games.  Love, love, LOVE that movie :)

One day I decided to have a "Make Kelly Happy Day" and did so by dressing up adorably.  Then instead of going to class as I had planned, I decided to ditch.  I ended up spending two hours going to the bank and finding flowers and a vase.  Honestly all the flowers sucked.  That is, until I found tulips at Maceys.  Tulips are pretty.  I kind of have a thing for them.

Probably this whole past month I've been under a ton of stress.  Or maybe anxiety.  Either way, it was no bueno.  I would wake up each morning feeling so sick.  Sometimes I just let the big things...and even more so, the little things...take a toll on me.  

On one of the bad days Kevin surprised me with flowers.  They're super pretty :)

Thankfully I'm feeling a lot better lately.  I think much of the stress has subsided, although I know priesthood blessings and a trip to the temple were helpful too.

I've seen and fed plenty of ducks lately too!!!!

Oh and I have not seen my cute duck couple in Logan since I have seen them in Bountiful...I think they must have gotten lost.

We also went on a...not-hike up Logan Canyon.  It was more of a walk.  We went back later that night and had a fire with s'mores

Odds and ends:

considering I thought I was going to fail that test...I think an 89 is super awesome :)

Oh and I found out that my English essay was one of the top in my class.  I get extra credit because of it and Thursday I'll get some award at our assembly/ceremony/whatever it is of all the English 2010 classes at that time.  It felt pretty awesome being told that my essay was one of the top just because I know what went into writing it.  There was a lot of effort behind it...and even more heart.

Tonight I went to Kevin's choir concert:

I listened most of the time!  I lost focus in the middle though...

And this is my attempt at a sneaky photo of the cute old couple next to me.  It was a fail though.  But I decided I want to grow up and be like them.  They were cute and holding hands and just being adorable.

Sorry it's kind of a picture dump and awful writing...but sometimes...okay a lot of times that's just what happens.  It feels nice being as caught up as I'm going to get...although I've missed a lot of details, but that's okay with me.

eleven things

Janie at Falling up the Stairs tagged me in her eleven things post.  Just so you know she is probably one of the funniest girls you will ever meet, has a great sense of style, and is just plain GORGEOUS!  Like seriously.

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.

1.  Pulling faces makes me look less scary when I don't do my hair and makeup, right?
2.  I hiccup randomly.  And I do it a lot. {one time I counted 57 in a day} My sister is nice - "I'm going to punch you in the throat!"  But really she wouldn't...I think.
3.  I have been punched in the face.
4.  Growing up I was the pickiest eater.  Now I eat real food.
5.  Easter has the best candy, hands down. {Hersheys and Cadbury eggs!}
6.  I say I'm not crafty.  Then I realize I am...a little bit.  But really, I just like easy Pinterest projects.
7.  I hate that I can watch a movie ten times and can't quote any of it, but someone can watch it once and have the whole thing down.
8.  I have done and continue to plan on doing nothing all day.  Actually, does finishing an English essay count?  If so, then I've accomplished at least one thing.  {seriously.  today so far = shower, paper, computer, and figure out work stuff.}  But being sick justifies my lack of accomplishments, right?
9.  This is the start of year number six at my job.
10. I like to speed. I have yet to be pulled over. {knock on wood}
11. I've listened to this song ten thousand times in the past week.  Okay not really, but over 50.  Thanks Pandora for introducing me to the most beautifully sad song of my life.




And now for Janie Jane's questions:

1.  If you could win a shopping spree to one store, which store would it be and why?
Is picking a really expensive store and selling all of it online against the rules?  Actually I think Target is pretty great...but maybe not shopping spree worthy.  How about we imagine I have a house to fill with Pottery Barn.  I think that would work.

2.  What is your favorite memory?
At this point in time it's probably my high school choir trip.  It was super fun, I was super happy, and life was lookin' up.

3.  Edward or Jacob?
Haha really Jane?  If I remember right, I liked Edward in the books better. I've only seen the first movie...so I can't really judge those.  They both suck though, don't they?

4.  What is your dream job?
Honestly I'd be content working part-time somewhere and filling the rest of my time being a mom.

5.  Who was your Jr. High crush?
First junior high crush?  Austin.

6.  What is your least favorite chore and why?
Cleaning the bathtub!  It's just so awful.

7.   If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life which would it be?
Chicken.  Mmm.

8.  What is your favorite smell?
Coconut.  And pleasant smelling men.

9.  If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?
I would probably terrorize all my friends who believe in ghosts :)

10. You are on the red carpet, who would you pick for your date?
Hmm. I would say Ryan Gosling.  But James Marsden is a babe too.  I think I would prefer him.

11. Why do you blog?
My freshman year of my roommates started at blog.  I decided to start my own as did Janie.  It makes for an easy way to remember life.  I blog mainly for me...but enjoy sharing it with others too :)

Here are questions if you'd like to play along.  I know many people have already done it.  Or you can feel free to pick one or more and answer in the comments.

1.  If you could pick an animal to turn someone you don't like into, what would it be and why?
2.  What song(s) do you listen to on repeat?
3.  Is pulling faces or smiling for pictures better?
4.  Would you leave your house without officially getting ready for the day?
5.  Beverage of choice?
6.  Do you like socks?  Why or why not?
7.  Would you want to know when the big events are going to happen in your life?
8.  Favorite TV show growing up?
9.  Favorite book or series growing up?
10. Who would you pick to be your fake boyfriend (real or fictional)?
11. What restaurant do you wish would put you on the list of people who receive free food?

Have fun! :)

valentines day

Free hugs?  I wonder whose are better

some of the supplies :)

owl apron!

Funfetti, Chocolate, and Better Than Sex cupcakes
There are 5 different types of sprinkles plus Heath.  I love sprinkles :)

Valentine's present.  Love it!

Monday night I got a valentine present.  I wasn't expecting it...but it's pretty much the greatest thing ever.  This is Richard the Duck and an Eric Carle duck book.  Totally fits me.  Love it.

Then on Valentines Day I wake up (like any normal day, right?).  Except I have a huge smile on my face.  I have issues waking up (maybe I'll talk about that later) and so I laid in bed for like an hour feeling giddy knowing what was in store for me the rest of the day.  I woke up next to a duck.  And I knew I was making cupcakes which was the main reason for my giddyness.

I love buying cupcake liners and sprinkles.  I have a nice little collection.  It is a little embarrassing and quite ridiculous.  I ended up making over 80 cupcakes to give out as my valentines which were well received :)

Later that night, Craig, Creighton, Kevin, and I all got together and ate Cafe Rio which was super delicious.  Kev and I watched the newest episode of 30 Rock and everyone {Kevin, Creighton, Tyler, Katie, and Scott, and me} watched Crazy, Stupid, Love.  I loved it and thought it was pretty funny.  Some of the others found it awkward though.  I think know I thrive off of awkward situations :)

The day had its ups and downs -- I won't bore you with the details...but all in all it was a great day!

little lovelies

This weekend has been full of wonderful little things!

Friday night Shayna, Janie, and Tyler Savage got together and went to a choir concert put on by the school to support some of our friends.

This concert was so much fun!  The different choirs sounded so great and I wanted to sing along to just about every song.  I restrained myself for the most part...but I will admit Janie and I couldn't stay quiet for the entire time.  Styx, Journey, Heart - it had it all!

Then later that night I went over to Kevin's and watched a movie with some of our neighbors.  Never watch The Others.  I thought it was stupid and super boring.

This morning Savage invited us over to his house for breakfast.  We ate totally delicious crepes!

Totally awful picture...but it doesn't mean it was any less yummy :)

And then the spending began.  I've spent a ridiculous amount of money today.

The greatest chunk went when I filled out and signed these lovely papers.  Totally worth it though.  Now I have a place to live next fall!  I do like where I live this year...but this new place has many more perks for pretty much the same price.  Can you say STORAGE?!  I have next to no storage where I'm currently living, so this will be a definite plus.  And the people there are great!  So much fun.  My old roommates from last year will all be near.

Then Katie and I decided we needed to go shopping.  We first hit Violet Hill.

I was able to find a darling necklace that's perfect for Valentine's Day...or just any day.  And this cardigan is super comfy.  I love the grey and green stripes.  And the detailing with the black, especially the pocket.  And...robot earrings!  The picture isn't super clear...but they are quite adorable :)

A trip to the grocery store and gas station later we finally made it home.

After lunch and cleaning I learned my parents made it safely home from Mexico and heard they had a blast.  I'm so jealous.  It sounds like it would be a lot of fun.  I guess that's what I'll hopefully get to do once I'm "old" and married with all the kids moved out.

Only halfway through the weekend....but I'm sure with a surprise party and church it will shape up to be pretty fabulous! It's much more exciting than the usual just watch movies weekends at least :)

liberated

As of now I feel liberated.

The last homework assignment was just submitted.

Source: noahpinionblog.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

This is how I feel.  It's lovely.

Now just to study for my computer science final Monday.  And MIS on Thursday.
And take my Lifespan Development test.  But that one should be easy.
A job shadow on Wednesday.
But it's a Friday night.  And I'm going to take a mental break.
School appears manageable.  People I worry about seem to be doing better.
Life is good.

featured!

woah!  I never join linky parties...but one of the few I did I got featured :)


http://forblogs.blogspot.com/2011/11/tasty-tuesday.html
sweet.  gotta love pumpkin rolls :)

Halloween 2011

So I was pretty excited for Halloween this year!  I liked my costume a lot.

You see...I'm kind of jealous of the fact that my niece Bailey has like five tutus and can wear them pretty much wherever and whenever she wants.  After all, she's five.  When you're twenty people kind of look at you funny.

And.  I have never had a tutu before.  But they looked so fun!  I had been pinning instructions and ideas on Pinterest for weeks, but when my roommate showed me her peacock costume, I decided that was it.  I had to have one.  I was jealous of her costume too.  You see, I have this thing for peacocks too.  But I figured I shouldn't steal her idea.  I just wanted a tutu anyway.  So I knew I had options.  I think I ended up being an autumn fairy or something.  Titles aren't important :)

my rad purple tights.  and my wand so I was actually "something"

So we went to JoAnns.  And I bought WAAAAAY too much tulle.  But I have projects in mind :)  After all, it's in such pretty fall colors.  I'm thinking an autumn wreath.  Or a matching tutu for Bailey.  Or both.

dark purple, light yellowish(?), sparkly orange, chocolate brown, deep red, and sparkly gold
the gold was my favorite :)

I got extra points in Zumba for dressing up.  I may or may not have looked {awesome} walking to and from classes.  Because if I dressed up for Zumba...it meant dressing up for computer science as well.  I did see a handful of costumes while I was on campus so that was fun!  However, I don't consider people in real costumes if it's something that can easily be shoved into a backpack or somewhere.  Sorry.  If you're only wearing Harry Potter/nerd glasses or the like...you don't count in my book.  Learn not to be lame.

Our ward also had a Halloween party later that night.  I stopped by for a few minutes before going back home to continue writing my huge paper {but I'm proud to say I cranked out an 8 page paper(...or if you count all the extra pages, 12) in two days!  I'm pretty sure my middle name is Procrastination...}.  

Here are pictures from the night! {courtesy of Heather's camera}  {and Tyler from the HOWL...because her costume is adorable}

Tyler the Peacock!

Savage the Old Man
Heather the Flapper

Sarah {the hippie}, Heather, and me

Heather and Shayna the Pirate

Katie was a pirate as well...they should have had a picture together!

That was our exciting Halloween.  Okay.  They had a more exciting one than I because they actually got to enjoy it.  But it's my fault I put my paper off.  They got to play games at FHE and watch scary movies when they came back home.

Maybe I'll learn to not procrastinate...but I have a feeling I won't.  Or it will take a while...because I tend to procrastinate dropping the habit of procrastination.