"Live Like You Were Dying"

Basically, I just had one of the single most fabulous week and a half's of my life.

First of all, my family came into town for a visit last Wednesday. We went to Tucano's, and ate til we were all going to throw up, went to xtreme air sports, which hands down, is the greatest place of my life, played some laser tag, and I got to go to my roommate Megan's going away party--which was sad because I'm going to miss that lady with my whole heart, but I really did nothing but laugh all night because her family is so funny. I almost died.

Yes. We were all plotting to throw foam at my littlest brother^^                     Got him.

There really was no getting out of that foam....


Then, I said goodbye to my family, and the rest of this crazy week happened

Monday: I started my new job at Spoon it Up, which I absolutely adore. One of my best friends FINALLY came back from California after like a million years. I missed her. My life was especially void of dance parties in this time period....but our reunion was glorious!

Tuesday: My roommates and I decided to color our hair with pastels like we saw on pinterest. We looked like rockstars. Then, Kira and I went to our first "party" together since at least last December. We made new friends. With people and this bunny:) I also got to see my friend Jenny on her last night before she headed out to the MTC. She's such a sweetheart. She's going to convert everyone she even looks at--that's how spiritual/caring and compassionate this girl is.

Wednesday: ...I went out with this model/actor I met at the gym. He was in Twilight, High School Musical 2, and some other stuff I can't remember. I schooled him in laser tagging. And yes, when he told me he was an actor and a professional dancer I told him he was full of crap. But then I looked him up online...

He's legit. He left to film a movie. I'm never going to see him again.

Thursday: I did a little modeling. NBD. For Cris and Kate's. With my friend Brittany Molina.

I haven't seen the pictures yet, but if they're fabulous I can use them for when I try out for ANTM again. We'll see. One day I'll be a model.

Friday: I went to work, had one Kindergartner tell me he would never shoot me because I was too gorgeous, and another group tell me I looked like a cowgirl queen. I take what I can get. Then I spent some time with my main girl Kassie, dyed my hair black, and went to work. Now, I had made arrangements to be picked up from work, so I didn't have to walk home so far in the dark, but my phone died. But luckily Kassie was bored and took me home. Where we proceeded to eat tons of sugar, call and text many people, tried to get pizza, and the night ended at about 5 in the morning with "whoops. I threw my computer because I didn't want my eggs to die! Sorry. Good night. I loveeee you♥♥♥♥" I swear we weren't drunk....

"whadda think of my new hurrrr?"

Saturday: Got up, drove to Ogden, went SKY DIVING. Literally, probably the most thrilling, crazy, fun things I've ever done in my life. Such an adrenaline rush! I still can't even get over how freaking awesome that was!!! I COULD HAVE DIED!!! And actually, I was pretty convinced I was going to, because I'm a spaz, and the guy I was jumping with had a really heavy accent, so I didn't understand half of what he said to me. I was positive I was going to arc my back wrong or something and kill us both. Luckily, I just had the time of my life instead. The rest of the day I just thought of that experience and had this song stuck in my head: http://youtu.be/6xSGLZd9Vg4 I NEVER FELT SO ALIVE!!!!!!! Then, my roommate and I proceeded to drive to Colorado to hear my cousins' farewell/homecoming talks.

Sunday: I listened to my closest cousin Levi give his farewell talk. I grew up with that kid. I can't possibly tell you guys how much I'm going to miss him. And pray for him 24/7 because he keeps telling everyone he's going to die on his mission. Then I dreamed he would. Not cool. I am really proud of him, and he seriously gave one of the best talks I've ever heard. He's a great public speaker. Stick that kid up on Samuel the Lamenite's wall. He's going to the Bogota, Colombia--coincidentally where my sister in law just sent her brother off to. I hope and pray they are mission companions. Hahahaha. You'd have to know them. Also, I got to hear my other closest cousin Jacob give his homecoming talk. Which was also really powerful, and so spiritual. I'm really glad to see him again, and I'm so glad he got to see Levi off. They are like the same person. Then the two of them sang a song together, it was like the cutest thing I ever heard. It even brought little tears to my eyes. I love those guys. I couldn't ask for better friends or family. After church (because anywhere besides Utah, members go to more than just Sacrament when its a special occasion,) we all just hung out at my cousin's. It was so much fun. I got to see a lot of friends and spend time with such quality people that made me feel so good, and just made me laugh. I love home. I love my friends, and I love my family. I literally am feeling so incredibly blessed and happy right now. I'm grateful for all my experiences in life. Live every moment, because you'll never get it back. Life is never perfect, but it certainly is wonderful:) "And someday I hope you get the chance, to live like you were dying."

<3

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1GXdeqizBU this song makes me tear up every time. My sister in law and her brother are so talented. And at 00:20, you'll notice a picture of firemen holding a portrait  that is burned entirely around Christ. Here's the story if you're curious... http://www.heraldextra.com/tabernacle/article_db328b06-0b0f-11e0-a131-001cc4c03286.html
I have such a testimony of Jesus Christ. I want everyone to know, that I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he lived and died for us, and that he was resurrected. I'm positive, that were he to appear to me in person, right now, I couldn't believe in him more than I do now, because the Holy Ghost has touched my heart and proclaimed of that truth to me. For those of you still searching, I implore you to pray earnestly, read the scriptures, and I promise you, that you will receive the knowledge and truth that I have come to know and love. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and I'm thankful for this opportunity at Easter to not only hear that beautiful, incredible story once again, but to share with anyone and everyone my testimony. I love this gospel. I can only imagine what my life would be like without it, and it's empty. Nothing brings me more joy or peace than being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love my Savior. I feel his presence in my life every single day. I know that Christ is the only way, and that by him and through him, no matter where this crazy life takes us, we have the opportunity to reach our full potential, to be all that we can possibly be. I pray that I can be such an example, that by knowing me, people will want to know Christ. No matter your religion, or the lack thereof, I hope everyone takes just a moment at the very least, to just ponder the message of Easter today.

I posted this on my profile already, I know, but here it is again. Just watch, and really listen:
http://youtu.be/bAuaSpJ7zGs

"Try Dodging all the D-bag Guys.."

First: http://youtu.be/D4cIIuSBGbQ the chorus is like the theme song to my life right now...

I love meeting new people. I'm very social, and albeit often times I can be kind of a flirt, and that is why I like to go hang out at King Henry, because people there are pretty chill, and I like most of them a lot. But sometimes, I meet boys that are...less than gentlemanly, to say the least.

So today, I'm at the pool, talking to a friend, tanning, having a gay old time, and I meet this guy. He is super good looking, so at first I'm like "alright!" ...Then he started talking to me. This guy, that I just met mind you, starts being just mean to me, and calls me a ho. Now granted, I'm sure he was just messing around, trying to flirt, and usually I'm pretty easy going, and I just brush it off, but this guy was just on one. And calling me a ho, in any circumstance, not cool. Honestly though, where does he get off? So I say something about how I think he is super rude, and he has the nerve to tell me "I just know what's up. Treat a girl like dirt, and she'll stick like mud." I told him he sucks. Like seriously. What? What kind of person thinks they can just talk to people and treat them like that? My daddy raised me to be a lady, and that is not how ladies are talked to. I'm so peeved. And he's old. That my friends, is the very essence of a Provo Allstar. I need to move:(

The Hunger Games

All I can think about is the Hunger Games...

HUNGER GAMES
HUNGER GAMES
HUNGER GAMES
HUNGER GAMES
HUNGER GAMES
love.


also, we watched the previews for Titanic, and I realized, it's not much of a love story, because Rose is a liar and she is selfish. 1. She promises never to let go, then when Jack is dead, she pries his hand off hers so she can be saved. 2. There was totally room for him on her plank of wood.


but really...HUNGER GAMES WAS THE BEST!!! And I will never stop loving it. The movie was so close to what I pictured while I was reading the book--(which by the way, is my favorite book of all time. I would read it every single day if I could. And if you knew how much I hate reading, you'd know how significant that really is.) Such a good story. I'm obsessed.

"When the Time Comes, Baby Don't Run"

March 20th, 1964--48 years ago today, my beautiful, wonderful mother was born. She is my hero in so many ways. That woman got married in the temple to my dad, birthed and raised 10 children, and she is a published author; and she did it all with such magnanimity, that it's all I can do to pray that one day I'll live up to be half the person she is. I couldn't possibly asked for another woman to be such a wonderful mother. I am so blessed.

This week also marks about a year that I kind of figure my Utah adventure began. It's incredible how much things have changed since them...and how much things have stayed the same. At this time last year, I had graduated early from high school, and was working at home as a substitute teacher. My family came up here to celebrate my mom's birthday all together and so she could do an author signing...

My family then went back, and I stayed in Utah for a few weeks, sleeping on my sisters' couch. I met some of their friends, went hot tubbing, did all kinds of fun stuff with them. Then in May, we all planned a Harry Potter surprise birthday party for my oldest sister Angela, (which was absolutely ridiculous, and she ended up getting mad at me because I spent the entire day and over an hour pretending to sleep to get away from her.) In my experience, surprise parties usually result in a great deal of rage...(Jocelyn--http://lilgeorgiapeach.blogspot.com/2012/01/21-babyy-yeahh.html). But, despite her anger and so many people almost blowing it, I think the party turned out pretty awesome:

Good times. Haha. Then I went back home for a while, officially did the graduation thing, and packed my stuff up and moved here in June. Looking at it now, it might appear that only my location has changed. I'm not in school, working as a substitute teacher, going to dance parties. But in the past year, I've done quite a bit of..."ghost hunting," jumped down a waterfall,

and the Mona rope swings,

auditioned for America's Next Top Model,

worked for Satan at a dress boutique, rode a motorcycle, and countless other adventure I never even imagined I'd go on. I discovered what a pazookie is, went wake boarding for the first time, saw a fair amount of rodeos, and had the greatest summer ward of all time!

...and lit some of the biggest sparklers you will ever see.

I moved away from my family, I've had 10 different roommates, including one from England, (which was such a party hanging out with the Brits:)) and I have changed in so many ways. I made some of the best friends in the world, and to some I said goodbye. I've fallen hard, my heart has been broken, and I've certainly met more than my fair share of tools. But because of everything that has happened--good, bad, and in between, I am such a different person now than I was a year ago. I've grown in so many ways, and I've learned so many things. I've learned that to be independent includes dependency on the Lord. I've learned that life is hard, and tragedies happen, but despite it all, this life is beautiful, and there is so much to be happy about. I'm thankful for this gospel, and the ability to turn it all over to my Father in Heaven, I'm thankful for my family and friends that love me, support me, and are there to pick up the pieces when I'm broken. I want to say sorry to those I have hurt, and I pray to be a better person and friend to everyone I know. You all mean so much to me, regardless of how much or how long it's been since we've talked, or if we don't at all anymore. Whether you know it or not, you've all touched my life in some way, and in doing so you've taken a piece of my heart forever. Every experience I've had has affected and changed me in some way, and I'm thankful for that. This is such a wonderful life<3

"Now, Remember, It Is Better To Look Up"

My attention was called back today, on a talk given in the last General Conference by Elder Carl B. Cook, called "It Is Better To Look Up." If you haven't read/heard it, or it's been a while, I suggest reading it today--http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/it-is-better-to-look-up?lang=eng. The message is so wonderful. Our Savior loves us, and is simply waiting for us to reach out to Him for help and guidance. In Relief Society, we were asked to think first, "what makes you discouraged?" There are so many things in life that are hard, so many things that get us down, and it happens to everyone. We all face trials. Everyone is fighting a hard battle.

The point was made that when people have issues with praying, it is because they have forgotten or do not fully comprehend their relationship with the Lord. We need to constantly and actively be seeking Him. Elder Cook says, when President Monson told him to look up, it was symbolic for remembering Christ. The only perspective that gives us hope, is up. When we are sad and feeling discouraged, when our hearts are heavy and we feel burdened, it is easy to hang your head, and look to the floor. But, think of the limitations. A sister pointed out, when you look to the ground, that's it, you can see everything, you see where it ends; there is no depth. But when you look up towards the sky, towards heaven, your perspective reaches up into infinity--a perspective eternal. It reminds us that we as humans, can't see how it ends, that there is so much more that the Lord has in store for us. The sky is bright, and when we are constantly looking up, it directs the attention of those who know us and see us to look up as well.

My roommate stated that "we know we can look to Christ, and with that knowledge comes the responsibility to do so." Christ suffered in Gethsemane for the very purpose of taking on Himself our every hurt, our every struggle or disappointment, that He can relate to us and comfort us in a way that no one else can, because He felt exactly the same. I so often forget that. Things have been hard, and I'll admit, I've felt like I have lost some direction in my life. But I was reminded again, that my Savior knows. He has felt what I've been feeling, and I need to let Him help me. Another girl quoted her grandma in saying "the only time to look down, is to raise someone else up." That's what the Lord does for us. He raises us and carries us. As I'm writing this, the poem comes to mind that my parents always had hanging in their bedroom:

The church is so true. I love it with all my heart, and I love my Savior. MATTHEW 11:28-30:
--"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"

"Grab Somebody Sexyyy, Tell Them Hey"

Yesterday, I could go for a walk outside in a t-shirt. Today, it was snowing. Curse this tricky bipolar weather!! All it really does is make me anxious for summer, which makes me nostalgic of last summer. The theme of last summer? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPo5wWmKEaI I love that song.

So, browsing good ol' YouTube for that song, I went a lot of places, listened to a lot of songs, and eventually ended at Ke$ha's new album. If you know anything about me, you ought to know I am basically in love with her. I even go out and buy her cd's. She's so fierce. And she reminds me of spending the summer partying with my sister. I even did a "Ke$ha photoshoot" one day with all my older sisters, and I dressed up as her for Halloween...

Fabulous I know. My roommate also dressed as her, because she loves Ke$ha as much as me. That's just fate.

Now, this next bit may seem unrelated, but it ties in. I think. That being said, I have millions of things running through my head lately, and I've realized, I think I'm kind of a hopeless romantic. That in and of itself is a long story, but in short, sometimes I have these...irrational(?) crushes, and it kind of takes over my thoughts. Which is crazy because I have a super short attention span for basically everything, and am never really in the same place or interested in the same things for long. But either way, every once in a while, there comes along someone that sticks in my head and my heart for a long time, and I can't seem to shake them, because in all reality, that's not something I should be pursuing for various reasons. They even make appearances in my dreams from time to time. And there's just really nothing I can do about it, but wait for enough time to pass to let them become just another faint memory. I'm not really one to tell people how I'm feeling when it comes to matters of the heart, because I'm a big weenie. I let opportunites and people pass me by, because breaking down that wall is too hard, and I don't handle rejection well. But I do realize that we need to fall for people, and our hearts need to be broken, because that's how we get back up, and become stronger. And, despite my best efforts, I have had my heart broken, but I don't regret it, because I learned something, and I was changed. But, while I work on that, and try to be more open, I'll keep writing blogs, (they really are theraputic,) letting my mind run a mile a minute about people that I can't seem to block out, and listen to Ke$ha. This song in particular has been playing as the theme to this blog: http://youtu.be/_u29qK84uvI (and yes I realize the video is girly and lame, and the song is slightly sappy, but I don't care. Ke$ha is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Besides Jesus.)