Happy Halloween from Apt 18!!!

So none of the videos had an option for 6 faces, so I decided to make this as a welcome home gift for Kat (who is on a cruise in Mexico, poor baby) with the rest of us in it.

Hope you all enjoy!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

That's not Jess slurping her cereal really loud- That's the rain.

I feel like my last post was kind of a downer.
But don't worry; some good things have happened too.


There was an awesome thunder and lightning storm the other day- with hail and wind and dark clouds and everything. That night, when I was driving home from Salt Lake, the clouds broke and as I looked out over the city, she took my breath away. I wish I could find a picture that even compared to the beauty I saw there. With the moon shining through the white clouds against the dark sky over the city lights... *love it* This one is pretty close to what I saw as I rolled into Salt Lake that morning (minus the snow on the mountains).


And I'm making progress with that "new and improved" thing.
So far, I have

made an apple pie from scratch (I'm legit)

fixed the toilet

painted a picture:

visited my godnephew

become a bit of a Hermoine Granger in my classes

and made friends with Debbie,
an older woman who lives around the corner.

Also, I have some really great roommates. It's nice to feel so comfortable so quickly around the people with whom you live. It makes it feel more like home. Plus, it's fun =]

I wish Kat was in this picture though =(





Love you girls!










What I should be doing: Spanish practice test, clearing off my desk, looking for a job...
What I'm listening to: trying to drown out the BYU marching band across the street with some Katie Herzig and a little Parlor Hawk

My [not so glorious] Second Coming

After some quick decisions, last-minute paperwork and a couple of panic attacks, I have moved into the next phase of my life. I have left the parents' house once again to pursue the remainder of my education. It's an attempt to grow up I guess, but where did I end up?


Well, like all single Mormons, I find myself back in Provo.

It's the thing to do, you know.

And like most of my peers have discovered, I'm sure: it's not what I expected.


It's weird to be back.
I kind of feel like I just got back from a mission (how do you RMs do it?).
Things look different and feel different.
People are different.
And I still feel like I'm visiting.


I knew it wouldn't be the same as before. I knew that. I'm not dumb.
But it's hard to anticipate what the differences will be.


I find myself second-guessing my own knowledge of Provo's layout.

Is this really the way to get to Smiths?
Wait, where does Parkway meet Freedom?

And I keep hearing references to various apartment complexes/restaurants/etc that sound vaguely familiar, yet I cannot conjure up a mental image or actual memory. It's like I'm remembering them from another life, which I guess I am.

My Provo life was on pause while everyone else's continued to move forward.


I wander around the BYU campus in the hopes of finding a familiar face- one that's excited at the unexpected (yet simply delightful) experience of running into me. Yet each face that passes is just as unfamiliar as the last.


I have had the chance to get together with some old friends, but generally our conversations are more like those between strangers. Either they have to hear the whole story, or the watered-down-for-people-I-just-met version, and I'll give you a hint: the shorter one always wins out. I mean, how else can you explain the past year and half to somebody you haven't seen in 18-36 months?
This makes my relationships feel shallow and inadequate.

Sorry I'm boring.
Guess we'll never hang out again...

So I don't yet feel that I've accomplished the gloriously triumphant return I had anticipated.
But perhaps I'll wait a little more before I put that dream aside.
I'll hold out a little longer and see how things go.

I've still got my first round of exams,
and my hunt for employment,
and some friends to see,
and some unpacking to do.

So there are lots of opportunities for improvement.





What I should be doing: watching those videos for microbiology
What I'm listening to: the bed intruder song

Laundry Day

I hate when voting is like deciding what to wear when all your clothes are dirty...

you just pick the one that stinks less.

.

1 Down -- 26 to Go -- Bring it On

Two weeks ago today, I awoke early and donned the first of my 27 dresses. I buckled my shoes, secured my headband, smoothed my crisp silk skirt and walked out the door with a smile on my face, ready for whatever the day might bring.
That night I returned with a splitting headache, dress crumpled and torn, metallic heels dangling from one limp hand and a beautiful bouquet of pink flowers clutched desperately in the other. I collapsed in a hunchbacked heap on the kitchen floor and vowed to stay there all night long.



So, despite feeling totally incapacitated the following day, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a bridesmaid. I absolutely loved it. If that were a paid position, I think I could make some serious bank at it.

Add it to my list of talents, will you?
File it with handwriting, eating 5 cheeseburgers
in one sitting, and mimicking people to their faces.

For those of you who are unaware of how wearing a stereotypically ugly dress (not for me, I got lucky) and posing for pictures can be so exhausting, allow me to enlighten you as to the duties one may be asked to perform.


*NOTE: Subject to change due to bride's preference and the aforementioned bridesmaid's availability/relationship to said bride. Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited.*

Pre-Wedding-Day Responsibilities
- RSVP in the affirmative *Must be present to redeem prizes*
- get to know the groom
- wedding consultant -- colors, themes...
- stylist -- go dress shipping with her
- party planner -- bridal shower, bachelorette party
- give her lingerie
- florist -- in case of last-minute flowers fiascoes
- get a mani/pedi with her
- shipping and handling -- help her pack her for the honeymoon as well as the stuff she'll be moving to her new home (her mind will be elsewhere)
- make sure she gets a good night sleep the night before -- we want her fresh-faced and well-rested on her big day

Day of the Wedding
- model -- wear the dress she picked for you, and be happy about it =]
- nephew transport and wardrobe
- photographer -- take pictures all day with her camera so she has something to look at later
- make sure she looks picture-perfect at all moments -- bobby pins, hairspray, teeth checks, oil wipes, etc...
- bouquet holder
- guest book assembly
- mud removal brigade -- don't want her pretty shoes getting yucky
- train maintenance -- carrying, bustling, holding it while she goes to the bathroom
- nourishment committee -- make sure she eats and stays hydrated; if necessary, feed her between greeting guests in the reception line
- obtain bouquet at any cost -- if you have to hip-check her 8-year-old cousin out of the way, so be it. just catch it.
- sparkler distribution -- for their joyous getaway





What I should be doing: updated Ben's blog, putting away my clean clothes, homework...
What I'm listening to: iron and wine, lady antebellum, and of course lady gaga

Nothing

Nothing
Can ruin the good
Clean feeling after taking a shower
Like...
Taking a Big
Stinky
Poop.
Nothing.

the end.

Disclaimer

Dear Reader,

We regret to inform you that the previous post has been falsely represented. Said blog post was not actually posted on my birthday, March the twelfth; dramatic license was taken in order to create the desired effect. We appreciate your understanding in this matter and offer our sincerest apologies for the aforementioned discrepancy. We offer you further reading found in Attachment "A" as compensation for any emotional turmoil you may have experienced as a result of this lie.

Thank you,
The Management





Attachment A

Now that it's almost April, I feel the need to evaluate last year and set some goals for myself for the year to come (January is overrated). I would have to say 2009 was not a good year. Definitely not ideal. A lot of undesirable things occurred.

But I did learn one valuable lesson firsthand: life is not what you expect it to be.

We all have our expectations for every situation and reality rarely complies with our pre-ordered wishes as is excellently illustrated in a clever little scene from (500) Days of Summer pictured here (please pardon the random foreign subtitles -- it was the only clip I could find that included the whole thing):

Expectations vs. Reality (500) Days Of Summer.

Yup, that's how I think this whole year went for me. With my family moving, me staying here in California for the school year, and a million other things, reality definitely had fun playing some little tricks on me.

Good things came too though. A lot of wonderful people have come into my life and I have had many opportunities open up for me as a result of the events of 2009. I was able to try a lot of new things as well. Here's a little sampling of last year's new adventures:

went to a bar (being 21 and all)
drove in the snow
took a class at the Salt Lake Center
donated my hair
drew blood
played some slots (again, 21)
changed spark plugs & shocks on my truck
ate Armenian food
sang in church (not in a choir)
worked while going to school
climbed Mt Boney
rewired the distributor in my truck
served jury duty
went out to one of the channel islands
joined a book club
went to an Angels game
completed Physics 105 via Independent Study

Ok, maybe not the most exciting list ever, but I'm pretty proud of most of these accomplishments and I have a secret for you... (Next year's list is going to be even better!)



Until next time amigos!




What I should be doing: sleeping, I have work at 8 in the AMs
What I'm listening to: Ke$ha, Juliana Theory, Arcade Fire, Regina Spektor
What I wish I was doing: raiding the "desserts and drinks only" fridge with my Jenny

Forever 21 is a Lie

Well, I am now 22 years old.
No longer young, hot, fresh, Forever 21.
No, I am now just boring, responsible, should-be-graduated-by-now, old 22.




Happy birthday to me...