home for christmas

You are in no way obligated to listen to the whole thing.

you are obligated to listen to at least the first 20 seconds.

It's kind of terrible. And I think it's kind of hilarious.




I hope that you have a lovely Christmas.
:)

30 things i learned during fall 2012 *edited

1. you can successfully fit 3 mattresses on the living room floor for a sleepover
2. sometimes restaurants don't open when they say they will. you will only find this out once you have decided you are only craving a breakfast burrito from that restaurant, waited two days, and trudged over there in the cold.
3. having freshman roommates isn't nearly as bad as you think. in fact, it's pretty awesome
4. i'm ticklish everywhere. including behind my knee.
5. i'm particularly jumpy. even when i know it's coming.
6. sometimes your roommate has the most things, and picks the smallest room, so you have to help her learn size and pick the biggest one
7. it takes your other roommates half the semester to realize that your room is MUCH bigger than theirs and become jealous
8. Kylie Brown flows off the tongue and is apparently fun to say.
9. When your friends realize this, they will never call you by just Kylie ever again, and a multitude of nick names will develop
10. it's okay to survive the last week of school on bagels and cream cheese, and chips and salsa
11. it's also okay to let boys buy you food sometimes.... Sometimes it's just annoying.
12. if you have a lot of guy friends, people will think you're dating them and you won't get any other dates. I am okay with this.
13. I don't have the attention span to sit through a full length movie if i'm not allowed to talk during it.
14. Boys think it's funny when you scream. Especially if they're the one that created the reaction
15. it's hard to concentrate when you stayed up until 3:00 the night before... but it's usually worth it
16. Wassail is spelled really funny... but it's easy to make and tastes great
17. if you ask for alcohol, referring to rubbing alcohol, your friends will assume you have a hangover
18. The apartment starts a quote wall, and suddenly everything you say is both quotable and inappropriate
19. You might go to the dentist and have 10 cavities... and when you come back with 3/4 of your mouth numb, the first question the girls will ask is how the appointment went and how you're feeling. first thing the boys will ask, is if you drooled everywhere.
20. I don't really like rats living in my apartment... but they can actually be kind of cute. even if they do stink.
21. My hair doesn't tease very well
22. the weekends that are the most fun, are the ones where you started with no plans.
23. Sometimes you just have to wear everyone else's clothes. that's what roommates are for right?
24. roommates are also perfect for helping you to decide which shoe to wear, and whether to wear your hair up or down.... even when it probably doesn't make that much of a difference.
25. Sometimes your best friend will ask you an opinion on her clothes, but it's a test. don't let this fool you, if you get it right then she will continue to trust your opinion in the future.
26. If you can't find dark chocolate peanut M&M's, the remedy is to buy dark chocolate, and peanut M&M's, and then eat together in a ratio of 3:1
27. Being tired makes me especially emotional, and therefore goodbyes are a LOT harder
28. sometimes you need to be the shoulder to cry on. the favor will be returned.
29. Sometimes God shows you he loves you by giving you what you ask for
30. Sometimes he gives you something better

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

31. Between roommate texting there are levels of "haha". "Ha" for a one chuckle sound; "haha" for a smile; and when they reply with multiples, such as "hahahahahahaha!" you know you just made them actually laugh out loud. Score! :)
32. Forts are not just for little kids. They get better as you get older and more inventive. i.e.- using the whole couch rather then just the couch cushions.
33. When management says to keep things 6 inches away from the heater, they mean it. Someone might wake up in the middle of the night to burning rubber.
34. Just because you make it home at midnight on Halloween without incident, doesn't mean you're home free. Pranks will still happen.
35. Speaking of pranks, when you come home on Halloween, the light bulbs missing in your room is only half the prank. you might turn around and find a horrific looking scarecrow in your closet. no thank you.
36. Your friends will watch youtube videos of the banana-sprite challenge. And the guys that try will be hungry in an hour. The girl will throw up, but you'll still be proud of her... in an odd sort of way.
37. They will also watch videos of other pranks (see 3:18), one of which will include smashing a gallon of milk in someone's face while they are drinking from it. Brandy will tell Jason that this can be his Christmas gift. This is what happens. 

the sad story of my cellular device

On sunday my phone fell in the toilet. ridiculous, i know.
what i learned:
1. never put your phone in your back pocket
2. when your phone falls in water, immediately take the battery out. do not assume it's okay and then find it seizing 10 minutes later.
3. water and electronics do not mix. i know what you're thinking... why state the obvious? but somehow it did not connect in my brain that when i checked my phone a few hours later, i shouldn't plug it in, and leave it on.
4. living 3 days without a phone is one of the hardest things i have done
5. it's a little sad that i am so connected to that little cellular device that sits in my pocket.
6. it's also a little sad that i'm not the only one.
7. it's really hard to plan an activity when you can't talk to anyone
8. rice is a miracle worker. along with time. and my freezer. thanks to these, my phone will probably be okay. .... probably.

i didn't forget about you

I just didn't have a lot to write about... so i figure i'll do a check in today :)
I was sick a couple weeks ago. stuffy, tired, sore throat, no voice, miserable.
but i'm feeling much better now.
i'm waiting on my bishop to send me an email, and i will get started on mission papers. hopefully i can get started this week, and i'll have my call super soon. i seriously am SO excited. 

today it snowed, and it was beautiful. it has teased me for the past couple days, but then hasn't snowed more than an inch or so, and then melted by noon.
today, i woke up and it was snowing. and it snowed all day long. and i got to wear a scarf and an Eskimo coat and boots. and when i get home, i'll make hot apple cider, and maybe try to convince someone to have a snowball fight with me.

today

it was supposed to snow.
i was surprisingly disappointed when i woke up, and the sun was shining.

because the sun was shinning, i thought it would be kind of warm
i was wrong

i walked to class, and i watched a guy shave his face.
on the way to class..... some people's kids

the clouds quickly moved in, and then it did snow
i froze
it was beautiful

so this time when i left the house, i bundled up
but then the sun was shinning. again.
stupid sun.... it was bright and warm, and i didn't like it

sometimes i don't understand rexburg

i skipped work and plasma
somehow a shower and lunch seemed more appealing

i studied, and took a test.
did better than i thought i would, so that's good i guess

i visited some friends
i picked comfy and warm over cute... ky style

my wardrobe consisted of:
bright pink socks and moccasins
black BYUI sweatpants
honor chorus t-shirt from high school
super cute pea-coat
and an SVU headband with my hair in a ponytail

i pretty much looked ridiculous, but i wasn't trying to impress anyone
and the boys liked my coat anyways

i made an iguana and a toucan from the back of a cereal box with my friend mike
we named them phillip and louis

i'd say it was a successful day

check in

I'm sure most of you have heard about Josh Weed.
He's pretty much hilarious, and awesome, and you should follow his blog.

Also, he's a therapist, and he does this weekly check in. I absolutely love the idea and can see the benefit. Therefore, I will be doing periodic check-ins on here. You don't have to read it really, bit it will make me feel better and more complete I think. Also, if you feel like it, I want to hear your check-ins!

The way it works, is that you need to check in physically, emotionally, and spiritually. You can't use small generalizing words like 'good', or 'fine'. Be honest and real. And when you're done, write a reasonable, achievable goal to complete that week.

Physically: I am feeling a little sluggish. I really need to go running or something, and start making real meals. As long as I am active I'm fine, but when I slow down for too long I get really tired, and take more naps than is surely necessary.

Emotionally: I've actually felt a little frazzled. There is so much going on I feel like my little brain can't quite handle it. You know, drama with boys, sick roommates, homework, a new job, big life decisions.... trying to neatly choreograph all the aspects of my life is more difficult than I thought it would be.

Spiritually: Today I had a meeting with my Bishop about starting papers for a mission! I am so excited!! But as excited as I am, I'm kind of terrified. I feel like it's the right decision, but I also feel incredibly inadequate. I have so much preparing to do, it's a little overwhelming. But I am determined to grow closer to Christ this week. Last week we had Stake conference and we had the chance to text our stake president and ask him questions, and he texted us back later in the week. I asked him how he bettered his relationship with Christ. I got a text back this week, that said "The small and simple things we have been taught. Do them consistently and sincerely. Also, be in places where Christ would be!"

Goal: I want to take my stake presidents advice this week, and do the small and simple things. My goal is to always always be where Christ would be, and keep him near me. I want to read my scriptures every night, and always have a prayer open with him.

Messy mondays

I feel a little bit bad for people who encounter me on a Monday.

first of all, it's a Monday. who really likes Monday's anyways.

also, i have a 7:45 class. that's early.
and freezing. literally. it's the first week of October and I walk to class in about 25 degree weather.
to get to class on time, i need to leave the house around 7:30.
I usually roll out of bed at approximately 7:15.
...I hate waking up

this means:
-usually i wear glasses, not contacts
-my hair is in a frizzy braid or bun.
-no makeup -unless of course i didn't take it off the night before. Those are rare, lucky days.
-i'm wearing jeans and a sweatshirt
-socks likely will not match (not each other, let alone they remotely match what i'm wearing)


in other words, i'm a disaster. 

so in advance, i apologize lest i see you on a Monday.


and please enjoy this hilarious video.
it's relevant because it takes place on a Monday.....
oh just watch it.

General conference

This weekend is general conference.
Where the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints gather together across the globe to listen to a modern prophet of the Lord and this apostles.
I vote you join us.
It's incredible the messages that we have heard already

lds.org is where its at. live streaming.











Also-
The church sends young men and women out to serve missions.
It used to be that boys could go at age 19, and girls could go if they wanted, at 21.

Today, that all changed.

Today, we were told that the ages were being shifted a little.
Now boys, if they are worthy and graduated from high school, can leave as early as 18.
Likewise, when girls feel prepared, can leave as early as 19.

isn't that incredible

I am 20. that means instead of waiting for another year... i can begin the process of leaving now. 
my mind is blown.

I have a lot of praying to do. A lot of consulting with the Lord.
But when I heard that news, I couldn't help but get the feeling that I needed to serve a missions immediately. 

Please keep me in your prayers as I make this important decision. As well as the many other young men and women in the world that are immediately impacted by this change and have a huge life-altering choice fresh an their hands.

no homo

2 guys.
on a motorcycle.
the same motorcycle.
the one in the back hugging the one in the front.
just getting a ride home from class

but no homo right?

oh boy

I hate it when I can't sleep.

When I can't sleep, my roommate hates it that I didn't buy a muffin mix.

the way to a man's heart is through his stomach

or at least that's what my mother taught me

so today, tonight i'm making banana bread. again. 

This delicious recipe. 

but our oven is a little retarded. so hopefully it turns out.
i really hope it turns out.


while i was mixing it together, i almost forgot the sugar.
i missed little hands helping me
(i had moments where i really wanted to hand a measuring cup to a small child and ask them to dump the flour in for me as i stirred. so much more work and a lot more lonely to cook by myself).
Also, i'm pretty sure I made more of a mess and took twice as long cooking by myself.

But it was fun.
And i got to lick the bowl. all by myself.

and now all i have to do is wait for 30 more mins and hope the bread turns out

*please, please, please turn out*

praying the bread turns out.  and yes, I cook with a towel over my shoulder. thanks to my dear father.

 

 

as you can see, i'm back to blogging

well now, i'm back in good 'ole Rexburg!

School started this week.
as well as the job hunting

school is going fairly successfully
work... well, we'll see

classes are good.
new friends are good.
roommates are good.
...actually, pretty darn fantastic. I get to live with one of my best friends, and we're pretty much joined at the hip. One of our rules is that we have to date someone at the same time, so that we don't totally 'lose' each other. or just don't date anyone at all.
personally, i don't think she's going to last.... ;)

also this semester, I'm making a lot of goals.
Things to improve my habits. my spirituality. my... everything.

i'm working on making my bed everyday.
eating better... as well as cooking more.
not getting 'friend-zoned' by every guy i meet.
praying more honestly and consistently. as well as reading my scriptures.
putting homework before play.
putting Christ before everything.
exercising at least 30 mins a day, T-F.
serving others more.
fulfilling my church calling.
always smiling, and staying positive.

this is going to be a great semester. i can feel it.
:)

boys will be the death of me

so, i like to do a lot of things that i'm not good at

like, dancing. and sports. and basically all the things.
so i look like a klutzy idiot
but i have fun, so i usually participate anyways

sometimes, I know that being a klutzy idiot is not worth it, and i decide to sit on the sidelines

last week, was one of those time that i tried to be wiser, and not participate.
it was also the time that those who were participating decided that I had to participate.

so though I knew that a 12 mile hike would not be good for me, the boys made me go.

long story short, it rained. and i was a pansy. and i've been sitting in humid Georgia for a month, not hiking in the dry mountains of Wyoming. and we didn't make it to the top. maybe half way? maybe?...

one day i'll be fit enough to make it, because i'm sure it's beautiful, and definitely worth it.

Nic and David

Ethan and Tyler

 

See that little peak way up there?...

...that's the little peak that we had to hike to. Where i'm standing now is where we called it quits

love these guys!

So, even though I joke that the hike was only their plot to try and kill me, it really was a lot of fun.
And they were really good.
I needed to take a lot of breaks. (really, it was a lot) but they stopped and waited for me every time. even though i now they probably didn't want to
and when we crossed the streams, they helped me across so i didn't fall in
and when I needed to stop and realized i couldn't make it to the top, they went back with me. even though i know they didn't want to.

i have the best friends :)

I'm a pirate

do you ever have those moments where you think "I should do _____"
and you really mean to do it, but then somehow it just slips your mind

like for example:
maybe you're straightening your hair, and as your hand comes down you pull the earring out of your ear
(but it's the kind with a hinge, so it just comes right out, no pain. i know you were worried)
so you set it on the counter, and think "as soon as i'm done, i'll put it back in"
then you finish your hair, change your clothes, and head out the door for the night

and it isn't until you get home, that you realize you never put your earring back in

so you just spent the last few hours walking around with only one hoop earring
and the other one was still on your bathroom counter

and you might feel like a complete idiot

Palying Mom: day 4- the park/ the last day

*this is for you mom. sorry i'm a terrible blogger and it took me like, a whole month

Mostly day four consisted of me playing taxi, and the kids doing chores.
Had to get Emily ready to be picked up by 7:30 for a church activity.
Michael and Jessica to the church a mere couple hours later
they get dropped off.... take Michael back just in case people went to the wrong place

do chores
more chores

drop Michael off at a different church activity

make dinner
send Jessica off to babysit

after a long day of running around and anticipating Mom and Dad's arrival that night
I decided that we could have a picnic for dinner!
(really, the chairs were moved out of the kitchen so it could be mopped, and i didn't want to move them. so packing up for a picnic is naturally easier... right?)

Anyways, I made a stir fry, some chicken nuggets, and gathered leftover lemonade and treats from the adventures the night before. Grabbed plates and blankets and other necessary items for a picnic, and off we went!

playing mom: day 3- party time!

conclusion: being a mom, is like being a kid. but harder.

day 3 consisted  of the normal morning routine.
me waking up early, and waiting for the kids
[which really means me napping until they wake up]

we washed the car
but it was hot outside and being done with the water didn't sound appealing.
but the car didn't really need to be washed a second time

so after some finagling of the sprinkler system, i got the ones out back to stay on.

we washed up, relaxed, and went on with the game plan: prep for the party.

starting, with baking banana cinnamon 'squirrel' cake.
well, swirl..... but everyone thought i said squirrel. hence the nick name.

lesson learned: sometimes we want to take a normal picture, and sometimes that's impossible

exhibit 1- sometimes ethan wants to pretend like
he's having a seizure... or something

exhibit 2

exhibit 3

ready for the oven!

then we went shopping for the good stuff!!

we had this, as well as chips and creamalsa (cream cheese stuck through the hand mixer, and add salsa to taste...it's good. just trust me on this.) and watched Journey 2- the Mysterious Island. kids choice from the redbox.
As i was checking out with all of our junk, the cashier mentioned that it looked like we were gonna have fun. I said that parents were out of town so we were having a party. She said that she felt bad for me (because my brothers were with me and i was obviously going to be in charge of a bunch of little ones) she didn't know how lucky i was to be partying with these particular buggers :)

playing mom: day 2- busy busy busy

today felt SO long.

I haven't slept too well.
so last night, I went to bed at 11:30
this morning I had seminary duty, and was up at 5:50
[a time i don't enjoy seeing frequently. if at all.]
and then because i'm playing mom,
i didn't get to go back to sleep

i made breakfast... for me.
the kids can fend for themselves right?
then i took a nap while the kids finally got out of bed at like... 7:30
[just sleep in why don't ya!]

after some small chores and some reading
we went to the pool

i think i managed to get us all back without sunburns

then, I showered and they watched a movie

i made pizza. frozen of course

then 3 neighbor kids got dropped off
and i was in charge of 6 kids under the age of 11
5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
...or something like that
and 2 teenagers

let me tell you, i've never been on a louder, more exciting car ride in my life

then we came home and played just dance
and played outside
[remind me why people live in the south again? humidity will be the death of me]

and i decided that i would be brave enough to let some small children use my nice camera
it made them happy
and it made me very nervous

but i also found out how talented they are!

 

playing mom: day 1- squid for lunch

just before lunch, the boys were chillin with me in my room
we were listening to pandora and looking through my pinterest

as we were looking through my food board, we saw a pin that involved spaghetti and hot dogs
One of the boys said it looked like squid

so we went upstairs and cooked squid for lunch!!

[don't mess with me!]

rockin out to pandora while we made lunch

emily and Niki aren't too fond of hot dogs

but they are adorable

cooking our 'squid'......

This final product!

I decided that i'm not very fond of squid..... so i found an alternate lunch. 

But the boys thought it was fantastic!

coming soon, banana cinnamon swirl bread, 

and more surprises!

Playing Mom: the beginning

**Mom, I know you are probably reading this on dad's phone. You should forget about us and go enjoy the beach!!**



Well, the parents went out of town this morning. They didn't really get a trip or anything for their 20th anniversary last year, so they are going to enjoy the beach for a few days this week.

Which means I got put in charge.

Which really means... PARTY!!

I'm pretty excited. And  mom says that we have to take pictures, so i'm bringing Becky everywhere, and i'll keep you updated on our adventures.

It's basically going to be a blast :)

sometimes you just seem more awesome in your head

advice and more from random texts i have saved in my phone

they're just as apt to dump you as you are to dump them

i'm trying to expel the male variety of the human race from my life

"promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" christopher robin to pooh

Dear ky, don't be chicken :)

you strive to become perfect for each other, rather than finding the perfect person for you. you come together to make something perfect

sometimes, like stars, we need to be in darkness to shine our brightest

well, sometimes we gotta do things we aren't good at. just go for it. i believe in you! :)

so just calm down :) he's just a boy

chin up. don't down on yourself

"i love you always forever..."

just to let you know, Ethan and Drew helped me finish of the BYU chips you gave me. They are now fascinated that their poo is blue

I'm taking ______ driving. I don't remember it being so crazy with you

If you sit with a cute boy for an hour, it feels like a minute

SMILE. i love you :D

i miss you already

-While taking Drew to get a drink of water, he said to me, "Mom, I kind of think you love me the best." Sorry Kylie
-haha who does he think he's kidding? i'm pretty sure I'M the most loved
-Shoot! Discovered again! I have got to do a better job of covering my tracks

Take deep breaths today. Smile a lot, and help someone else to smile too... I love you!

nobody should be jealous because someone else chooses to be kind

Olympics

I have concluded that I want to marry a swimmer

that is all

reasons i love my Grandma Gardner

She makes good food... like chocolate cake to send me home with
She lets me live at her house
She like to play Rook, and she's good
She makes hats for small children
...and me
She gardens
She is selfless
She's losing her memory, but she still remembers they way Grandpa would tell the story of seeing her for the first time, including what she was wearing
She works hard
She doesn't complain
She sees the good in situations

She's funny-

me: i'm probably going on a blind date this weekend
aunt: that sounds fun!
me: it should be alright. I'm not too extremely excited about it
Grandma: but maybe he's super good looking!!

another random urge

my roommate bruises fairly easily
and she comes home from work with bruises on her arms and legs all the time

which shouldn't be an issue....

except that when I see a bruise
to me it looks like a button that says 'push me! it'll be great!'

but when i give into temptation i get yelled at

worth it?
sometimes :)

looking for things to do

it's summer
and though for some of you you will be headed back to school in the next couple weeks, i still have 5.5 weeks left of summer
BUT, i'm running out of things to do
i'm getting a tad bored with my routine of.... nothing

I read, donate plasma
hang out, hike
have fires, watch the olympics
watch movies, go on walks
buy ice cream, hang out

so.... it seems like I have things I'm doing
but it's kind of sporadic

essentially, this post is asking what YOU do during your summer
i'm in need of ideas

a post that might make you think differently of me

sometimes (well frequently actually), I have the urge
to run towards someone
and yell "Prepare for Impact!!"
then leap into their arms or on their back
and expect them to carry me

unfortunately, this is a little bit socially unacceptable
and i would probably lose friends

"Chances are, if you think i'm awkward, I think you're hot"

family

I've been talking about families a lot lately

i know, kind of a random topic
but i'm a tad exited to see mine in 1.5 weeks!!

but in talking to a few different people, i have come to realize how fortunate I am in the family i have been blessed with, and am able to spend eternity with.
I can't even express my love for them, and my gratitude for my parents

do they drive me crazy sometimes?
yes
but that kind of comes with the definition of being a family

i am so grateful to have a functional family
i have a lovely mother and a wonderful father
who are hard working and great examples to me.
we rarely see them fight
and if they do, the best thing in the world is when I get to see them come out of a separate room- laughing.
I have never had a fear of my parents getting a divorce
They spend time with us

so many blessings, this doesn't even scratch the surface.
i could go on and on
I never realized how many families are hurting
are being affected by divorce especially
are full of contention

how many of my friends are members of these types of families

i could not be more grateful for the incredible, family i have been blessed with

summer bliss

I am still in Rexburg

living the life

waking up when I want

eating when and what I want

(and possibly making myself sick with the amount of peanut butter and oreos, and jamba i've consumed)

taking walks in the park

summer weather in rexburg (aka- perfect, with no humidity)

BBQ's with new friends

floating down the river

i sleep on a couch every night... and my back will pay for it eventually

but right now it's kind of fun to play musical apartments

naps in a hammock

no shoes

wonderful people

pretty sure life could not get better

besides when i get to go home, in exactly two weeks. 

i get to see my family

and be in Georgia again

fight against the humidity and my hair.... and sweating constantly, gross.

fresh preaches and blueberries (because my mom is awesome)

sleeping in

mom making homemade meals, rather than me just boiling pasta (i mentioned that she's awesome right?)

stone mountain

going hiking with my dad (refer to comment about my mom being awesome, and ditto -i just have great parents)

pretty much I have the best life ever. try not to be too jealous. 

maybe it's just me

Have you ever known that you should feel a certain way, but you don't?

I should be a lot more mad than I am
But everyone else seems to have enough mad for the both of us

I should be really stressed
everyone else is
but it's easier and a lot more fun not to be
so i'm not

So I feel happy
I am frustrated with some situations, yes
but I think my emotion-ometer is a little bit backwards.

am I allowed to feel this content
when everything is so hectic around me?

psst!

I'm working on a 365 project
what is that you ask?

basically, it means I take one picture, everyday, for a year

they are not always beautiful photographs, but they are a glimpse into my daily life
it'll give you a little feel of how I live life, things I do, the works.

it's fun.

SO moral of the story, you should go here.
or just click on the 365 tab at the top of the page

i'll be an adventure :)

so cute

On my college campus there are a lot of married couples
and sometimes they bring their kids
and it's pretty much the most adorable thing ever

my favorite part is when the dad's have the little infants
and they change them, and put them to sleep
and then tend to them in the stroller while they do homework in the library

I don't even mind the crying babies while i do homework

i'm too overcome with cuteness
and a desire to have a husband that will do that for me with our kids one day

I spoke too soon

Well, this post is a couple weeks late
But last weekend, you know the one where i didn't have anything planned?
It turned out splendid.

I ended up getting some homework done
and I floated down a river
went shotgun shooting (!!!!!!)
got a tan
and got taco bell

pretty successful if i might say so myself :)

since then I have also bridge jumped twice
done a pudding drop
bruised my knee severely playing volley ball
went to the drive in for the first time
watched fire works
went to the sand bar and jumped off a diving board into a river
my best friend came into town
had a no-technology day (actually very successful)

[and i want to punch a guy]

but it's been a successful week overall
i'm a little bummed that there are only two weeks left of school
i have met some really, really amazing people this semester
and i'm a little stressed with life and realizing how much work I have for finals
i'll let you know when my sanity is back to normal levels in a couple weeks :)

Spontaneity

....it's a beautiful thing.
Though I know it drives some people crazy (like possibly my parents)
[love you! :) ]
I like to live by it

this weekend, my original plans to go out of town didn't quite follow through.
so I had to find something to do in town.

homework (booorrrrriinggggg)
bachelorette party (awkward, but fun)
taking leftover cookies to guys apartments
ditching for half an hour on accident
drives around Rexburg, fearing my life a little
lots of laughing
pizza and a movie
good friends

more to come tomorrow
though i'm not sure what

....and that's the best part :)

and now i remember

why i don't exercise with other people.
I look the exact opposite of attractive when I exercise-

my hair is in a frizzy ponytail
I didn't put in my contacts so I squint funny to be able to see
I'm sweaty
and red-faced
and breathing really hard.

but I went anyways,
and I feel great.
I'll be going again soon
so that as a result I'll look and feel great

just don't come find me while i'm in the gym

boys and ADHD

I have a strange thing for boys with ADHD

Am I the only one?

they speak their mind
and they don't particularly care what people think about them just somehow, they are able to think of the most random things
and it makes me laugh

that's all

Life is great

school is hard.
boys are stupid.

and life is great :D

i love it when that happens

remember how this week was kind of rough?
it was a long week
even the weather has reflected my mood

i swore off boys- well, romantic relations with them at least

but this weekend has been absolutely splendid :)

with nothing really planned,
I got to go to a bonfire,
eat pizza and watch movies with great people
go caving
an accidental date (and despite swearing off boys, it was way fun)
we made fried fish and real french fries and fruit salad (apparently we like foods that start with f)
relaxed all day
making more great food

and there is no school tomorrow!!

Seriously, it's been the perfect pick-me-up
and i really can't contain my excitement

:D

this is going to be a whiny rant

so feel free to back out now, before i begin the ramble of what is in my head.
i promise i won't be mad



i've learned that sometimes things work out how you want.
they always work out how they're supposed to

but that doesn't mean it's going to be easy
in fact, that probably means it's going to be hard

i really hope crying is okay
cause i've needed to all day

i'm grateful for friends shoulders

it's just rough when you think everything is going great
and then all of a sudden
it's not

and you're not sure why

you know it's likely not directly your fault
but it feels like it

so that giant confidence boost from a couple weeks ago?
gonna take a little bit to gain completely back

and it's not his fault.
that's the problem

he didn't do anything wrong really
but i still simultaneously want to slap some sense into him, run away, and also be with him all the time

i can take the hint...
i just don't want to

also, have you ever done something you even remotely regret.
just a tiny bit?
but you can't help but wonder if if you would regret it more if you hadn't have done it?
it's hard to tell which would be worse- doing it, or having not...

i need a vacation
and i'm swearing off boys for a little while

"other things that I want to say, just aren't coming out right. I'm tripping on words, you got my head spinning, I don't know where to go from here" -life house, you and me

I moustache you a question

Dear future husband,

Unless you are one of the VERY few that can pull it off,
don't grow facial hair

I understand that it's a manly thing
but all of it is gross

and unless I tell you otherwise
you probably shouldn't assume you are the exception

If you participate in no-shave november.... I will too
see how you like that.

much appreciated!

Love,
your future wife

karma

I am sitting in the library
(i spend a lot of time here if you haven't figured that out yet)

I was hungry, so i went to the snack room and popped a bag of popcorn I had brought with me

I sat down to open it, and relished in how delicious it smelled
and it smelled good

i snickered as the guy across from me mentions to his fiance that he smells popcorn

lucky me

and then someone sat next to me and peeled a banana
and it smelled delicious

now i must go to the store,
because i didn't realize i would be craving a banana today.

don't you just love it...

when you spend all day inside doing homework
and all day, you're rehearsing how you're going to ask this guy out

and then when you go to do it, no one is home
so you go again later, and he's not home

because he's out with another girl.
....past 11:45 pm

and you go eat your feelings in ice cream
and find out there's coffee in it
gross

tomorrow will be a better day
maybe guys won't be so lame
and i can find a better flavor of ice cream

just a sneeze

Tuesday we had devotional

an hour every tuesday where someone on campus comes and speaks to us

this tuesday's lesson was particularly good

but just before he began to speak
someone sneezed

and it wasn't just any sneeze.
it was the loud obnoxious kind
and then he blew his nose like a trumpet

is it bad that i couldn't stop snickering for a few minutes?

life is what you make it

Today was unbelievably good.

Yesterday was pretty splendid as well

even though some crappy things happened
and i didn't do anything particularly spectacular
in fact, I spent the entirety of my days inside going to class and doing homework

but it's beautiful outside
and i'm surrounded by fantastic people
and life is just grand

i  love it when that happens

no fighting

Dear future husband,

today, we had a church meeting that centered around the family.
well, dating essentially.

they pretty much told the guys to get off their butts and ask girls out.
I promise I'll say yes.

also, let's not fight
it's too hard
i've looked at other relationships,
and the best word I can use to describe how i want mine to be,
is natural.

I know that people aren't perfect
it's practically impossible to live with someone 24/7
and not get mad at them at some point.

but it's possible to argue very little
and love a lot

i remember once when my parents started to argue,
and when they realized there was an obvious miscommunication
they went into the other room.
a few minutes later, they came out laughing.

i want that

so, let's just fall in love
and not worry about anything else

and laugh a lot.

love,
your future wife

waiting

How is it that in the grand scheme of things
4 days really isn't that long

but when you're waiting for something
it feels like the time crawls.

not in the library please

Dear couple sitting in front of me at the library,

I understand that you're engaged.
I'm excited for you, really.

But I would appreciate it if you kept the kissing to a minimum in public.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
I'm trying to study...

please endure another post about boys

maybe i'll find something else interesting to blog about soon...

3.5 hours of sleep is enough right?
because this is night 2

once because of homework, once because of a boy

I spent some time with a really great guy last night
hence, i am awake at 3:30am

I have to forgive him though
He doesn't know he's the reason I'm not sleeping
muffins anyone?

looking back

I was looking back on some of the more recent posts
and i realized
...they're all about boys.

obviously they've been on my mind a lot lately.
i'm sorry

---------------------------------------------------------------------

on another note, school is going splendid.
the roommates are fantastic.
homework is not exactly welcomed, but not too bad either
classes are overall actually pretty enjoyable to go to

though most people i know probably aren't very excited to learn about different family and child development theories...
i love it.

i'm taking a family class, an infant development class, and a early childhood development class, and they are all just so fascinating.

anyways. I hope your monday was great, and your tuesday is even better! :)

blogging about nobody

I can't blog about guys i like
because if i do, then it will be jinxed

so, this blog post is about 'no one'.
because I need to get it out of my system.

today i started school

yup, you heard right. started
first day of school.
and though i've been going to school for around 15 years,
i still couldn't sleep last night. it was horrible.

but classes were good.
my professors are great.
so far.

i have a class at 7:45 am
and on the same day, one at 6:00 pm
that might be death.

check back with me in a couple weeks and see if i'm still here.

"I'll wear out the words I love you"

My best friend from school got married this past weekend.
I don't really like to cry at weddings... but i may have a tiny bit at this one.
She looked absolutely stunning. And I am so very happy for her.

I keep getting told that my turn is soon *cough*Jessica*cough*Heather*cough*.
We'll see.

Also, this song has been stuck in my head all day (more like all week)... and I thought it was fitting enough.
so. cute.

good news and bad news

today, i practically met the love of my life.
the hour i spent doing his taxes was a good one.

and i will probably never see him again.

flattered and a little freaked out

i. don't. know. you.

no, i'm not old enough to go to a bar with you.
yes, i am 'too busy' this weekend to go to dinner.
no, next weekend will not work either.
or the weekend after that, or any weekend really.
yes, you can give me your number,
but no, i am not going to call you.

thanks though

when i said i wanted a bit more of a dating life... i take it back. this is not what i bargained for.

when in doubt, don't wear toms

i bought TOMS almost a year ago
and am still in love with them.

except for the fact that they are not very water friendly

so if it's supposed to rain,
make sure you don't wear them

likewise, if there is ANY chance that a toilet might overflow at work
and you'll have to wade several feet through half an inch of water to shut off said toilet
please don't wear TOMS to work

stress less

boys, it's kind of cute when you're nervous.
maybe even flattering?

i've asked someone out before, so i know that it's terrifying.
it's difficult.
it's hard to think totally straight
and make all of the words come out in the right order

but if it makes you feel any better,
i think most girls understand that it's hard.
so when you pause at the wrong time to gather your thoughts
or stumble over your words a bit, it's not always a bad thing

someday i'll know the feeling

on monday for FHE, we watched two movies in the church gym.

the boys stole miscellaneous couches and chairs from around the church for us to sit on.
we watched 17 Miracles, and Despicable Me.
it was fun :)


my roommate, who is recently single (and therefore doesn't currently really care about what someone of the opposite gender thinks of her) because her man left on a mission, sat on the back row, and later informed me of what our engaged friend leaned over and said.


he said something along the lines of how great it was to be engaged, because you know what the person next to you thinks about you. whereas 80% of us on the front row (sitting pretty close to boy-girl-boy-girl), were definitely wondering what the person next to us was thinking.


myself included

please help me understand

what is it about guys that makes them seemingly instinctively want to snap the hair tie on a girls wrist?

flirting tactic? most likely.

but why inflict pain when you could just hold her hand?

do i mind that much?
no, i guess i don't really.

i just don't understand.

i won't complain

Maybe i'm becoming more desperate...

But I think the boys are becoming more attractive.
Especially the new ones moving in.

It's quite nice actually.

it's okay

it's okay to let things into god's hands.
he knows what he's doing. he's got a handle on it.
he has a plan for you.

because you can't see the end, it seems hard.
but there IS a plan.
you just need to blindly follow it.
and blindly seems like a negative word,  but that's how it's supposed to be.

and i promise things will work out for the best if you do your part.
in all aspects of your life.

well, i dyed my hair

it's not a drastic difference.

just a little darker brown, and a little red

the red was actually an accident

so it's a good thing i ended up liking it

and dying my hair gave me a really good excuse 

to go take some self portraits

because it's wonderful

Smile for a dime

Work is slow today.
So that means we mostly just talk.
to eachother.
to the people that are nice enough to come and say hi.

As we were just sitting and talking,
a scruffy looking man probably in his 40's
came up to our kiosk
and handed me a dime.

with that dime, he told me that i got the 'smile of the day award'
that my smile was the best he'd seen yet.

remember this from last week?
he just got added to the list of people i want to be like.


that dime is getting taped to my mirror when i get home.

2 new names

for a long time, i've always wanted a nick name.
i'm not sure why, there's just kind of something about them that i've always liked...

anyways. the only nick name that i've ever really had, was kooks.
i love it.
and i can only be called that my my dad.

since moving to a small town, i've picked up a couple new nicknames:

1. Ky or Kyee.
I live with a 19 month old, who is in the process of learning to talk.
and like most kids his age, he's not very good at saying his l's, so instead of 'kylie', it somes out 'kyee'. or when he get's really excited, it's just 'ky'.
i love it when I walk up the stairs in the morning, and when the stairs creak, before he even sees me, i can hear 'ky, ky, ky, ky!'
best ever.
this nick name has caught on by some of my friends :)

2. bert.
I live and work with my roommate, and on wednesdays we attend institute during lunch.
while talking afterwards, i was explaining our living situations, and how my roommate and i share a room, and we just have 2 twin mattresses on the floor side-by-side, with a little gap in between.
it's a mess, but i love it.
a little while later, our teacher comes to us, and states that we remind him of bert and ernie.
basically one the best/coolest compliments i've ever received.....!!
the next week, a friend that we had met couldn't remember our real names, but could only think of us as bert and ernie.
because i'm taller, i get to be bert (even though ernie is my favorite)
i'm secretly hoping that it catches on ;)

pass the luck along

the other day i saw a lady drop a penny.
but rather than bending down to pick it up,
she leaned down and flipped it over
so that the heads side was facing up instead,
giving luck to another individual that passed by later that day.

i want to be more like her.

and it's only thursday morning

I have had such a good week.
despite getting little sleep, and feeling a tad sick.

I got to go see my best friends on monday.
no work. pizza, art galleries, snowball fights. hugs. laughter.
it was perfect.

partied it up with the single adults
playing charades and other random games.

work has been good.
i've learned that if you make a goal, you're more likely to achieve it.
Then, of course, if you didn't make one.
we've been fairly successful lately.

i feel confidant.
smiles and laughter can make pretty much anyone's day better.

i dyed my hair (pictures to come soon!)
and painted my toenails
and bought sunglasses (because i have contacts now)

i learned how to play ping-pong.
the real way. and... i almost won.
he was probably just going easy on me.
but that's okay.

i went to choir.
mostly because a boy asked me.
i forgot how much i love singing.

i watched "That Thing You Do" and "Leap Year"
for the first time.

i recently received a sticky note letter from a best friend
and a care package from my mom.
and i'm loving still reaping the benefits of said package.

i re-kindled my love for root beer.
and dark chocolate peanut M&M's (the best candy in the world of course)

here's to hoping the rest of my week is as good as the first part.
and yours too!!

"I'm just a little bit caught in the middle.
 Life is a maze, and Love is a riddle"

the movies are ruined for me now

i've learned a lot about myself this past week.
you know those questions about how you'll react in a certain situation?
and you think you know yourself well enough that you know how you'll react?

likely, you don't.
not until you actually get thrown into the situation and begin to act instinctively do you truly begin to learn something about yourself.
i was all wrong.
and that's okay.


it seems so perfect when it's up on the big screen and has mood music playing.
when every line is scripted out for the situation to work out how it's supposed to.
when the scene can just end so that the horribly awkward moment in which people in real life actually have to face, can just be avoided with out consequence.
when a lot of actions are taken without consequence.

i'm learning that it doesn't work that way at all.
this chick-flick fantasy that i have built up in me head, isn't going to pan out quite like that.
it might have bits and pieces, but if i don't react properly (which i won't of course),
or if i don't have mood music constantly playing on my ipod (which i don't)
then i'll actually have to live a real life version of my fairy tale.

where there are awkward moments.
you have to do things you don't really want to.
sometimes you have to say no.
and a lot of times things don't work out quite how you want.

and that's okay.

i relate

well, not because i left..... but i am a little 'at war with myself'.

Boys have it so easy

Valentine's day is upon us.
enjoy your day, single or otherwise :)

But i've gotten to thinking, how easy boys have it.
They give a gift to their girl, and it's pretty standard on what to give.

Flowers and/or chocolate are always a good choice.
All you have to do is figure out her favorite kind, and even then that's not necessary.
a nice note is always good. maybe some other little something if you feel like it.

it's simple and straightforward.

But what exactly are girls supposed to get for guys?
There's no standard. Guys are so difficult to buy for.
It's not like a girl can just grab a box of chocolates, and a note.
that's what he just gave her.



--As I was asking this question the best answer I've heard,
is to give him a stress ball.
He might need it you know...

Reminder: one week

Valentines day is looming.

Tonight is an ice cream kind of night.

working the system

as a single young adult, you have to play it.
even harder, you have to learn how to play it.

it's complicated.
learning about the other gender, and then specifically about one person you're targeting.
getting them to notice you.
trying to get other people to notice you less.

and that's just if you're trying to win in that aspect.

i'm learning how to work the system.
all you have to do, is make a lot of friends
just friends.
but a good chunk of them, have to be of the opposite gender.
 

[well, this theory really only works for girls, so a good chunk must be of the male variety.]

anyways, you just go on group dates.
they're fun. low stress.
and you get a free food and entertainment.

does it get much better than that? :)

chin up

Things happen.
sometimes they happen the way you want them to.
sometimes they don't.

sometimes bad things happen to good people.
most of the time, good things happen to good people.

everything, happens for a reason.
good, bad, or indifferent, there's a reason it happened.
whether you find out that reason or not.

most of the time,
you don't need to know the reason.

all you need to know, is that you are making a difference.
hopefully for the better,
but a difference nonetheless,
and that God isn't going to put you through anything that you can't handle.

not everything will be easy,
but it will be worth it in the end.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

when times to get tough, remember:

i am a firm believer that laughter is the best medicine. use it.
relish in good friends.
take time for the little things in life.
talk to mom.
eat chocolate.
watch a movie.
eat your favorite snack (tonight, mine was popcorn and hot chocolate).
take a nap. they do wonders.
cry if you need to.
then get back to work.

you can do it :)

The Chuck-a-Rama principle

For those of you on the east coast, Chuck-a-Rama is a restaurant. Buffet to be exact.
Kind of like a Golden Corral, but better.

Anyways, at a Relief Society meeting my stake had this weekend (Geared towards women over 18), we learned about something call the 'Chuck-a-Rama Principle'. Now, because it's Chuck-a-Rama, it immediately sounded good. And in theory it does.... if it were possible...


The theory is that if you go to a buffet, you can stuff yourself so full that you ache. you don't want to move you're so full. and as you sit there and digest the insane amount of calories you've just taken in, you feel as if you won't have to eat for at least another couple of days.

As I'm laying in bed, that's how I feel. I wish I could just go eat a bowl of cereal now, and then that would save me time in my morning routine.

Unfortunately, that is not the case. No matter how much you stuff yourself the night before, you are still going to need breakfast the next day. If not some kind of snack in the next couple of hours even.  It is inevitable that your body is going to become hungry again soon, and need nourishment. If you don't eat consistently, you will become weak.


This principle was applied to spiritual things. you can't expect to feast upon the words of Christ and feel the His spirit so sufficiently one day a week, that you're full for the rest of the week. By the next day, you are hungry again. And in fact, if you don't eat and feast continually, you become weak.


There is no steady line where you can sit. you are either filling yourself, or declining and preparing for your next meal when you are hungry again.

One time is not going to cut it. You WILL weaken if you are not continually feeding yourself- if you are not feasting.
-and in the words of my religion teacher last semester, you need to feast, and feast until you are round and fat. and then you need to ring the dinner bell and share that feast with those that can't seem to find it. There are others out there looking for the feast that you so delightfully sit at. Ring the dinner bell and share it with them. and do it more than just once a week, or when you're told, or when you feel like it. do it constantly. there are people out there starving for Christ.

Remember the buffet, and go to it every single day. you're life will be so much more blessed and your spirit so much more strong if you take the time to feast every day, rather than hoping that just Sunday will cut it.

all's well that ends well.

So the fact that all I had to do was walk into the room, and you couldn't help but grin...
made my disaster of a day totally worth it :)

Maybe I should be brave enough to actually talk to you soon. deal?

i may or may not have developed a crush

It's amazing how far a compliment and some laughter will get you.

Just a heads up guys.

sometimes some things are just better left unsaid.

Sometimes, I just need to learn that fact.

What was said, was flattering.
But weird to hear.
People talk about you.
Just face that fact, and get over it.
No matter how much you want to know,
you probably shouldn't know.

It messes with things.

Please tell me what there's to complain about

I really really love this song.
And I love the music video just as much :)

The Book of Mormon

well, it's been like, a month since i've posted a sunday message.
so I apologize for that.
But here is a wonderful video that shows some of the things that I believe in:

...i might be becoming your typical mormon girl

marriage? babies?

....on my mind probably more than I truly want to admit to.

I'm caught in that funny- i feel too young, but i want it so badly- vibe.

I'm living in a house with an adorable 19 month old boy, and and equally adorable 5 week old girl. 
I can't help myself.

so soon?

"You're going to go meet your true love."
"Don't get married too quickly!"
"I bet you'll come back with a ring on your finger!"
"These things happen faster than you think. And when you least expect them."
"People tend to come out of that town with love stories...."

These are the kinds of things that I have been hearing from friends for the past couple weeks.
Insistent that I'm going to meet my true love since I moved.


Marriage

Do I want it?
yes

Do I think it's going to happen so soon?
no.

I think I still have a while before I meet the love of my life.
Or realize that someone I already know is the love of my life.
Either way, I'm okay with. I just think I still have a while.

Patience is needed, I'll admit.
But just the thought of marriage scares me just as much as I want it.
If not more.

So we'll wait. And see.
And I'll show you, that just because I moved to a small town does not by any means mean that I'm going to get married within the year.

Dreaming

Most of the time I don't dream.
I think I prefer it that way.

Because when I dream it either makes no sense, or is about a boy.

I'm in strange places doing strange things.
Or doing something wonderful with a boy. Usually one I don't know.

So I tend to either wake up confused, or heartbroken.

This morning it was both