Golden Birthday!

Well, it has been a long time, hasn't it.  Dear me.
Just a quick recap before I write a post about my birthday.

In February I was able to take a trip home to San Diego for President's day weekend.  It was SO lovely, as you can imagine.  I mean, its San Diego, and it was around 80 degrees.  I had been living in winter and San Diego is just so opposite.  I got to spend some time with my friends.  I always miss them so much.
We enjoyed the lovely sunset at the beach.  I could barely take its beauty.  Didn't want to leave.  I mean, I was walking barefoot, in shorts, on the beach, in february.  It had never been strange to me before because I grew up in SD, but suddenly, it was just weird.
As you can see from my picture, I was sporting true San Diego pride (and my yoga flexibility) for some fun pictures, taken for the soul purpose of making people jealous that they weren't there. :)
Its always hard to leave San Diego, and it is getting harder to not know when my path will take me back to live there.  For now, I have a great job and am so excited to start school at BYU, which means I have comitted to be away for a long time, as I knew I would when I moved.  But like I said, its still hard.  San Diego is my home and my heart.  Anywhere in California is great, but nothing will ever compare to the wonderful Sun Paradise.
For now I am enjoying life and discovering new things with new people.
Oh, but I can't forget the other reason it is so hard to leave home.  Exhibit A, the most adorable niece ever:  She's almost 18 months old and she's taking over the world with her cute-ness.  It is hard to see her so infrequently, especially cuz she isn't old enough to remember me over long periods of time, so when I AM home, she is sometimes shy with me.  But it won't always feel like that, and at least with modern technology, I get to see how much she grows in the pictures and videos that her mommy posts.
Eric, Lora, Rachel, and Sophie: I love you all!

So- back to my life here in Provo:  we had a ward formal dance which was really fun- but a little bizarre.

It was formal, but it was a Luau. A formal Luau. I feel like this is all sorts of contradiction.  But we rolled with it.  Lindsay, being Hawaiian, rocked it.  She wore her white hawaiian party dress with a beautiful hair piece.  I wore my nice blue dress with all the jewelry accessories and hair clip that had pretty blue plumerias (all of which were gifts from Karen).
But guess what- it got weirder.  What kind of food did they serve at this Luau?  Mexican catering.  yep.  It was delicious- but I was just SO confused by this dance theme.
The company was fantastic.  You can see here our dinner table which was just thrown together semi-randomly.  I came with Lindsay and Kaitlyn and we chose a table.  But having much YSA event experience, I told the girls: "leave everyother chair open so that guys will sit in between us."  They laughed but followed suit and we waited as we watched people arrive.  Most people noticed that we had left spaces open and they chuckled.  But guess what.  This is a plan that never fails.  Notice in the picture, with no coaxing necessary, those spots got filled, with Men.  Success! People should always listen to me.
Here are some other pictures from fun random activities.
We decided to have a home-cooked meal together with the guys, so we all made a contribution for the meal.  It was the first time I ever made sweet-potatoes and they were SO GOOD.  I am now obsessed and eat them every week.  It was a lovely Sunday meal.
Our work had an ice-skating day in March for everyone who was at work for 90% of their scheduled hours in February.  We got to take someone, too, so I brought Kristen.  She doesn't love ice-skating but I convinced her to join me and she ended up doing really well.  She didn't give up and even let me coax her multiple times into getting out on the ice and moving her feet.
"Glide...and pivot. Glide...and pivot."
Well, mostly just gliding.  I don't even pivot, or turn really.  But this was a really fun ice-skating day because I stayed out on the ice so long that the normal foot-death-pain went away.  That had never happened before.  Ice-skating is always so much fun but I could never do it for long because my feet just can't handle it.  But I didn't know that there was some sort of thresh-hold that once you pass your limit, it just goes away.  It was a marvelous revelation.  I am a HUGE fan of ice-skating.
Also in March:
I got to fly home for Karen's first time in the temple.  It was wonderful to be home again, only a month after the last time.  Kristen didn't get to come with me and she was greatly missed.
The temple was beautiful, and it was great to see so many friends and family for that occasion.
We went out to Souplantation for dinner after and took up a good number of tables in the back room.
We had a very full, fun house.  Katie and Ryan had been visiting the whole week before I even got there.  Jeannie and Penny were also able to come down.  It is an interesting experience to be a guest in the house where you grew up : I stayed in Kristen's room with Domino, who would harldy leave me alone whenever I was on Kristen's bed.  I did enjoy her company, though.  I have not had any relation or connection with her since I left on my mission.  She used to worship the ground under my feet and follow me everywhere, very quick to cuddle on my belly and give me massages.  But I got used to having a cat-mess free room on my mission, so after the mission, she wasn't allowed in my room unless invited.  But she didn't like me much anyway so it wasn't much of an issue until Kristen left for college.  THEN things got hard and I took pity on her sometimes and she would visit me in my room.  But it was never like it was before the mission.
Why am I going on about the cat?  Well, the very next weekend, after I returned to Provo, Domino passed away.  Everyone should know, that even though the last years of her life were hard and I didn't show her the love she deserved.  I DO love her and I miss the years we used to have.  She and Tigerlily were my roommates, my friends, my cuddle buddies, and they both seemed to know when I needed extra love.  When I was crying in my bed or sick or tired, they would sit on my chest and purr away my sadness.  They lived with me, on my bed and always under my feet, for 16 years.  I love them dearly even though they are gone.
When I was alone with Domino in Kristen's room a week before she passed, I was cuddling with her and I was remembering her sister, Tigerlily, who I missed very much.  And I looked at Domino, I said, "why are you still here?  What are you holding on to honey?  You can go now.  You will be happy.  You won't be alone."  I'm not making this up.  I really did say those things outloud.  I hope she didn't suffer, but I know that she was very sick at the end.
So now you all know.  I really did love her very much and I'm grateful I had my own goodbye, even though I didn't know how close the end was.  I didn't get that with Tigerlily, and to some degree, I felt like I owed to them both to have a loving goodbye.
Well, I'm done being sappy about this, and I still have more stuff to share.
Birthday week!
For my birthday week I treated myself to lots of fun activities with friends and family.  We went to go see Divergent, which is SUCH a good movie you guys!  I love it so much that I've seen it 4 times in theaters already.  Tuesday nights are always really cheap, which is SO great.
We had a party at my apartment with a lot of fun golden decorations of which you can see a few in this picture.  We also have a lot of twirly golden streams hanging all over the living room, and they are still there a month later because we just seem to love them a lot.

It was a weird rainy night, but not really rainy, more like a hard snow that wasn't hail but it was loud!  But we had our door open and some people from the ward came to stop by and we played some fun games.
I had a birthday nap on Thursday, I was so tired from all the things I had been doing that I just slept after work.  It was wonderful.
Friday night, McKenna and I did henna on our hands and feet.  It was so much fun, and I ADORE henna.  My foot design stayed on for a month, but you can barely see it now :(
The henna was just something we really wanted to do, but it was a perfect idea because on Saturday McKenna and I went to the color festival at the Krishna temple.  It was my first time and it was incredible!  You can see more pictures on my photography and facebook pages, but here are a few.
It was really fun to get so dirty, but chalk does NOT taste good.  There were a couple times when I happened to open my mouth, though I mostly kept it closed, and enhaled a little chalk, but the worst was when a whole glob flew into my mouth and it was so hard to get out.  Plus, it was purple.  It didn't come off my teeth easily.
Showering was really fun, let me tell you.  I thought most of the chalk got blown out of my hair, but what I didn't realize and couldn't see was that there was probably a full layer of purple chalk all over my scalp, but my hair was hiding it.  I looked down in the shower water and saw completely opaque dark purple water.  And it just kept coming out.
5 or 6 thorough rinses like that and I finally had most of my hair cleaned out.  When I looked at the pictures later, I could see how I was decieved.  Look at my hair, mostly just a little remaining yellow and orange on some of my hairs, but most of my bun and everything was pretty clean.  But the whole thing looks very purple because underneath is enough purple dust to make a zen garden.


Okay- I'm gonna start the April stuff in a new post because I need a break from all of this typing.  So I'll just publish this one and be done!  Yay!

2014!!

Happy New Year!  Bonne Année!
So just a little bit about my New Year's Eve:
I spent the whole day getting excited and prepared for a Great Gatsby Dance while watching a stream of How I Met Your Mother. I'm finally watching it from the beginning.
I took a quick trip out to hit some dollar shops to look for cheap, really sparkly jewely but I had no luck.  My backup plan was Icing, which would be much more expensive, but they didn't let me down.  I kept all the stuff so I can return them if I want to.  Still haven't decided.  They ARE beautiful, but I'd probably only wear them for costume stuff, and I could find things much cheaper when I have more time.

so- aparently when I get so excited about something cool, it fills my every thought for at least 24 hours ahead of time. Current excitement- the Great Gatsby New Year's Party. After buying my jewelry...I put it on IN THE CAR on the way home. Yeah. Couldn't wait 10 minutes. Party is at 9. What time did I get dressed? 4. Just because. I was dressed so early I had time to take pictures, AND photoshop them. I STILL haven't even left for the party yet. I think I'll have spent more time being excited for it than I will AT the party. You could just say MY new year's party has been ALL DAY LONG. I actually did open my Martinelli's this morning... so- call me crazy, but tonight is going to ROCK!!. Oh, and here's the picture. -my facebook post
I tried out all of my dresses, trying to find one that could pass at all as a 20s dress, but I had no such luck. Why didn't I bring a flapper dress to Provo with me?  I DO have one!  But then I realized that I had my fantastic hat which I never get to wear and a great suit jacket that I bought the other day from a thrift store.  So, why not be a little funny and go to the Gatsby Party as a 'guy?' but also NOT a guy? I liked it.  Totally feminin, but wearing stuff the guys were wearing.  It probably made me the 'hottest' girl in there. I mean literally.  I couldn't take my jacket off.
[One random guy passed by me and said "nice hat!" has he tipped his off to me.  I smiled and then laughed as I thought, "yeah, but I can't take mine off- its pinned on." ]
One of my friends from my mission, Rebecca (she was one of my MTC roommates) and a girl from france (Julia) that I met at mission reunions came to pick me up and we got food from Panda Express before we went to the party.  It is always wonderful to have half french-half english conversations.
There was a long but quick line to get into the party.  It felt like I was going to a club!
There were a LOT of people there, but somehow we still spotted about 8 other missionaries that we knew.  And for the most part we stayed in a group to dance.  It was very fun.  The food and sodas were free, but I didn't even partake because I didn't want to stop dancing.  I never can.  And its like running- its easier if you never stop.
The countdown was very loud and energetic.  We didn't stick around too long after midnight, but we went to one of Rebecca's friends' house to socialize before we went home to bed.

Hope you all had exciting celebrations to bring in the New Year.  And don't forget those resolutions!

Merry Christmas!!!

I had to work on Monday, but my team at work is awesome and we all brought food to share.  People were jealous of our awesomeness.  It was a good day.
On Christmas Eve I ran quickly to the store and then spent most of the day baking goodies.   I knew that I wanted to do sugar cookies, but I also added some simple treats that wouldn't require too much effort.  It was all delicious!   I made rice crispy treats and chocolate pretzel bites.  Yummy!!  The sugar cookies too much more effort than I thought they would.  The first two batches weren't good enough to frost.  For one of them I was on the phone with dad and I forgot they were in the oven. But I was able to get enough good ones done and frosted before I needed to leave.
I got to go to the Horne's for Christmas Eve dinner, but I wanted to leave early enough to stop by for a surprise visit at my Mission President's House.  They live just a couple exits away.  Luckily they were home!  The Murdock's new dog was really the first one to answer the door, but then Sister Murdock opened it and was SO surprised. She called President out and we sat down in the living room to talk for a while.  Their puppy was so cute and spent the whole time licking my hand or trying to eat my sleeve.  He was precious.
I am so glad that I live so close to so many people from my mission.   I hope to visit them more often!
Dinner was marvelous and I LOVED being with all of that part of my family- my second cousins and all their kids.  Oh my- the littlest ones were adorable.  I took some pictures, but they were a bit dark.  But I wish I had a picture of McKinley, Nathan's baby girl.  She came up to the table of goodies and stood there, as if considering all her choices with one hand on her chin and the other propped on her hip.  It was TOO cute!  Then!  Ella, the cutie!, she comes up to the table and reaches into the bag of pretzel bites and takes ONE and then goes back to her mom.  I don't know if she ate it or she gave it to Sara.  But 2 minutes later she came back and got ONE again.  She did this, I don't know how many times.  I was cracking up.  It was so adorable.
I love my family and I am SO grateful that it is HUGE.  I love that I know my second cousins and have done things with them every year of my life.  I am so glad that I got to do Christmas with them this year.
After dinner I followed the Nicholes back to their house and visited with them for a little bit before driving back to Provo.  We enjoyed lots of music from the Sing Off, an a cappella show.  Christmas Eve was just lovely.

Christmas morning!  I had the house to myself that night and my alarm got me up at 7.  I cleaned a bit and made breakfast while I waited for my family in San Diego to wake up.  Normally they are prompt 7 am people on Christmas so I was expecting a call around 8.  I called them around 8:30 to find out what was up. They were slow this year.  Weird.  I was always the one my siblings had to wake up at 7 even though they were probably up for hours.
I had started baking more cookies while I waited for them and BBC America was doing a marathon of Doctor Who because of the upcoming, monumental, historic Christmas Special.  For the Who fans out there- this was literally the scene that was on when I turned on the tv.  I almost screamed and cried.
 Actually, I think I did cry.  No shame.

So my setup was pretty awesome once my family got me on skype.  I had Doctor Who silent in the background and my computer was a window to my house in San Diego.  That is literally what it felt like.  Normally on skype you just talk to someone who is sitting in front of their screen, but when their computer is just set down so that I can see the room and hear everyone, it feels like I'm looking through a window.  The best part was everytime that I got Rachel to come over to the computer.  She was always smiling and she even started playing peek-a-boo with me.  See the video to the side.  It might be sideways and I don't think there is anything I can do about that.  Sorry.
After all the present opening my family 'took me' to the kitchen and I could watch and hear them all making breakfast together while I frosted my cookies.  Today the only problem cookie batch was some that were a little under done, but still yummy.
After 'hanging up' with my family and finishing my treats I got dressed and then left my apartment.  I dropped treats off at Rob and Chelsy's and then drove out to Sandy to surprise visit a missionary couple, the Thomases, who served with me in Lyon.  Again- it was precious to just totally surprise people who didn't even know you lived in Utah.  I loved visiting with them and I had perfect timing cuz they had only been home for a little bit before I got there and they were going to go over to their family's house for Christmas, of course.  It was just a perfect Christmas morning.
So then I drove over to Adrienne and Nathan's place- they live in a part of her Dad's beautiful house.  They have a ball room.  A BALL ROOM!!  I spent the rest of the day with my cousins and chatted with Joanel and McKenna, who was putting in SO much effort for Christmas dinner.  Way to go Kenna!  I love her.  Dinner WAS delicious.  Turkey and potatoes and salad... it never fails.  I am so grateful to them for having me over.  I was bad and didn't take pictures.  Sorry mom!

 Christmas continued into the 26th because after work I went to Salt Lake to see the Temple Square lights with Jared and his family.  It was great to see Russ and Andi.  I hadn't seen the Temple Square lights since I was about 13 when my cousin Jimmy got married around Christmas time.  It was beautiful and snowy.
But this year we had warm days all week, so a lot of the snow has been melting, or melting enough to just turn to harder, ice snow.  But the trees no longer have snow on them.  It would have been great to see the lights through snow.
Jared and I had a lot of fun walking around to see the lights together before we left to see the Hobbit!  It was a beautiful and cold night.  Thanks to Russ I have a great picture with all three of them.
So, that was my Christmas!
 I had work on Friday and a really productive, yet relaxing Saturday.  I found some thrift shops and bought some really cute shoes.  I wanted something other than my boots to wear outside that would be warmer than my flats, but that wouldn't take so much effort to put on.  I found the perfect shoes.
 Today has been relaxing.  I had to go home after Sacrament meeting because I didn't feel good.  I took painkillers and watched Mighty Joe Young and then the pain went away!  All is good now.
This next week I have Tuesday and Wednesday off again.  I might do something with mission friends for New Years, but I also heard about a huge party in Provo that is Great Gatsby themed, without alcohol.  I am very tempted by that as well, but I don't know what I would wear.  So anyways- I don't have much else to say, but I think I've already said a lot.  So, I'm out!

My Circles

Everyone has different circles of friends.  I miss my San Diego circles- my best friends, my church friends, my family.  But I have loved developing new circles in Provo- and I'm looking to create more!  Obviously, I still have family up here, and I am so glad that I get to spend more time with them.  I already posted the pictures of the Provo Read Girls from 2 weeks ago.  I spent Saturday afternoon with McKenna and Celeste. We painted nails and watched some Harry Potter and Epic.

Naomi and Me

Maria, Leslee, Me, Kaitlyn, Naomi, Summer

Last week at church my roommates and I took pictures together, so now you can see the girls I live with!  We had a Roommate Christmas in the afternoon with a Secret Santa gift opening.  My roomie Naomi got me the Christmas Carol!  Yay!  My roommates are all very different, but they are very loving, accepting girls and it was easy to just fall into my spot like I've always been there.

I am still getting to know people in my ward.  I finally have a calling as a member of the Ward Prayer committee.
Last Sunday for the activity at Ward Prayer we did the Nativity.  Considering how quickly it was arranged- I am amazed at how well they did it.  I mean- check out the costumes that people just HAD.  Notice the guy on the end holding a fur rug like a lamb? Who just HAS a rug like that?  And who has a neon yellow snow suit?  Our Star was one of the best moments.  You can watch the video if you search for it on youtube with 247 Ward Nativity.
I got to see lots of family on Thursday at Pamela's wedding.  It was like a little reunion.  I hope to find time on future Sundays to visit family.
I don't get to go home for Christmas, but I will be skyping with my family and I have invites for Christmas with family up here.  Plus- I get a white Christmas- and it has been lovely!

Provo winter!

Everyone needs to see FROZEN!!!  Seriously- best Disney movie ever.  I loved it so much that it just made me ridiculously excited for the snow.  So on Saturday I arranged a snow day with many different activities that would all make me feel very winter-y.  I am so grateful that I had friends and family join me in my fun.  My friend Lindsey and my cousin McKenna joined me at my ward's ice skating activity.  Free ice skating?  YES!!!  When we were leaving ice skating Kristen was done with her volunteering/lunch and we went to pick her up.  Then we went to my apartment to make lunch and we made paper snowflakes while watching the winter Tinkerbell movie (huge guilty pleasure of mine).  

It was a LOVELY day and it was snowing beautifully for most of it.  I didn't finish all of the ideas that I had for a snow day- the most important being snow pictures and portraits.  It got too dark too quickly, so that meant that my snow festivities could continue another day.

After Kristen was done with church on Sunday I picked up Elise, Madeleine and Kristen. McKenna met us at the park that we went to first.  We didn't have a photographer, so we used a box that I had to set my camera on and we had fun with the timer.  To make it fun I decided that instead of setting up the picture and having one person run in after clicking the timer, we all ran in to be crazy and silly.  My goal was to have a picture that just looked natural and wile.  We actually got a great picture out it- our smiles were completely genuine and not posed.

I don't have the energy to write and put pictures in among the words as I describe them, and really, they speak for themselves.  We took lots of fun pictures, it was FREEZING, but fun.  We look gorgeous I think.  So here are the pictures.