Back to Basics

Now that my life is somewhat back to a routine I figured I should start my Sunday lists again.
So, people I really appreciate this week:

1. Dawna Kennedy-she's a great advice giver and just a wonderful person!
2. Bekah-technically it was last week but she really made me feel like someone cared about my silly life.
3. My dad- he works ridiculously hard all the time for everyone and rarely does anything for himself. He is way under appreciated. I doubt he reads my blog but, I love you dad! Thanks for all you do!

Things I'm grateful for/made me happy this week:

1. That my psychological test on my niece and nephew worked :)
2. That the Relief Society lesson today was just what I needed.
3. The fact that I can go to bed as early or as late as I want.
4. I can choose what to do with my time now!! Being out of school is fantastic. I can do my online work where and when I want. Its great.
5. That I have my old car and SUNROOF back. I felt like I was cheating on it with the new car. But I'm back with my old friend and we're ready for some new adventures.
6. My wonderful plans for this week!

Life is good. This week I'm looking forward to finishing one of my online classes, GOING OUTSIDE for a change, having the PA Goldies come visit, having ELIZA over, and birthday week is here. And I might get a new camera this week to document it all.

Does life get better than this? I think NOT!

I'm Back!!!

After a little longer than the two weeks I promised, I'm back and I survived the craziest 7 weeks of my life!! And in case you're interested, here's what I've been up to:

I had a five week term of summer in which I took way more classes than I should have. During that time, I stayed up way later and had way more fun than I should have. I need to say a HUGE thanks to Andrea and Jeremy, but especially Andrea. I think I laughed more in those five weeks than I have in the entire past year(which is a lot). We had a blast and for the first time since I moved away to school I felt like I had a friend there. It made things so much easier and although our fun encouraged procrastination for my school work, it kept me from cracking under the pressure of 11 hours days in class. And alls well that ends well. I got straight A's!!! Andrea, I will miss our fun times. Who's going to laugh at my ridiculously not funny jokes anymore?! It was the best summer I could have had while in school!! And Jeremy, I'll see you around Pal :)

So after school was over, the next thing on the agenda was Pennsylvania! And to get there, I flew ALONE for the first time. I discovered I like it. With all the craziness of flying with family I forgot how magical flying is. I felt like I was in the movie UP!

So to commemorate my first solo expedition I bought a T-shirt in Philly, where I had my connection to State College. And of course documentation was needed:

So Bekah, my lovely sister-in-law, had to go to their stake's Girls' Camp for a week and I volunteered to watch these crazy kids while she was there and Brad went to the office.
Now those are two handsome boys!!

One of my aunting duties for the week was putting Chase to bed. Needless to say, we had a good time.

I had to add this one. His face is too cute.

I think of everything, this was my favorite part (please ignore my loud and obnoxious voice, just pay attention to him):


During that week Brad (my brother) gave me intense GRE training boot camp. Thanks for your help Brad. Then Mom and Dad came and we enjoyed the 4th of July weekend together.

Ok, so here's the latest major thing. This week was my stake's Girls' Camp and as of Monday morning I was planning to come to visit for an hour or so one day. Monday afternoon I found out an extra sleeper was needed. And by Tuesday it was decided I would just stay all week! So I was an "adult leader" at camp. It was fantastic! All I had to do was go and HAVE FUN! And whip my girls into shape when they got out of line, which of course never happened ;) Now I'm ready to catch up on my sleep!

The best part of all was that I got to spend a CRAZY week with this CRAZY girl! Which included lots and lots of walking and lots and lots of talking!
This picture is the essence of our friendship. No one understands it but us, and it always makes me smile :)

Eliza is one person who no matter how hard she tries, she's never going to get rid of me! I like her way too much to let her get away! Hope you don't mind Liza!

I can't say enough how much I love this girl!!!!!

I have been unbelievably blessed when it comes to friends lately. When I have a ton to do, I think about it a lot and then I just get more and more stressed. But I've had a few wonderful people that have kept my mind off of things and gave me a break in between all the assignments and exams. I'm so glad I got to go to Girls' Camp! It was much needed break from school work and GRE!

So the rest of my summer will consist of:

• finishing 3 online classes
• majorly studying for the GRE (as I'm sure Brad will be glad to hear)
• a visit from the PA Goldies
• a visit to UTAH!!!! to see some old friends
• a visit from Eliza
• a visit from Andrea
• spending lots of time with my Zeigler niece and nephews
• just hanging out in the pool and enjoying summer!
• and whatever else comes my way!!

In short, I LOVE my life!!

P.S. If anyone has any GRE studying/taking tips, I would love to hear them!

Update

Just thought I would let you know there will be no new posts on my blog for the next two weeks. My life is insane! And I'm finishing up a very intense 5 week term of school. Two weeks left! I can do it! But just to save you some time, you don't need to check my blog! Hopefully after I'll have tons of interesting things to say.

And on a positive note, my book report for the book I haven't had time to start yet, that is due Wednesday, was just pushed back a week!!!! Why am I so blessed? I might actually survive the next two weeks now. Hopefully my professor doesn't read my blog. See ya in 2 weeks!

I'm Glad My Life Is Mine

So I cannot put into words how much I love my life! Its just great! Not for any particular reason, it just is. But anyways...

Things that I'm grateful for/made me happy this week:

1. Staying up late.
2. Staying awake in class (most days).
3. My new plants for my room, their names are Fiona, Fuzzy, Bud, Blossom, and Homey. And I love them.
4. That I spent 10 hours Friday watching TV and doing nothing with my life.
5. That I will never sit on a couch for 10 hours straight again.
6. I'M GETTING A NEW used CAR! I will have ac and heat and defrost. It will be great. But I will miss my sunroof. Its a wonderful friend of mine.
7. That I understood Dr. Valentine and feel good about the test I took (for now. We'll see Tuesday what grade I got. Wish me luck!).

People that I'm especially grateful for this week:

1. Andrea!!!!- she's the best! I'm so glad she has been my roommate this year! I will miss her sorely when we part ways :( I can't believe she not sick of me yet!
2. Jeremy- For putting up with two crazy girls all week lol. And for protecting us from drunk scary men on or jogs hahaha! He is hilarious. I had an amazingly wonderful week with these two.
3. The Portsmouth Branch! Everytime I come everyone attacks me with love and welcomes.

Life is good. I'm glad I have my life over anyone else's. Its fantastic and I love it!

My Life

My mom's not going to like this post. I always vowed to never become a college student who procrastinates and stays up way too late and eats junk food all day. I failed. The past two nights I've stayed up til 3 in the morning having lovely chats with my lovely roommate ANDREA! I like her. And I haven't studied or done any homework.

But hey its summer right? Maybe I'll get back to my regular self fall semester. For now I'm going to enjoy the college life. Until I die of exhaustion. Or fail out. But my grades are still good. For now :)

This Week

Ok, here are this week's lists.

People I'm especially grateful for this week:

1. My guidance counselor for always answering my questions and getting things done for me, FAST! She does her job well.
2. Andrea for keeping me company.
3. Mal. I enjoy chatting with her.
4. Sister Kennedy for simply making me happy.

Things I'm grateful for/made me happy this week:

1. That I was able to drop a really hard class and add an online in its place. I was going to die otherwise.
2. That I'm done with all the formalities and weird stuff in high school and now I can be a normal college student (as normal as I can be anyways!).
3. That I understand Valentine's Ethics lectures. I don't know how, but I'm glad I do.
4. That its summer!!!! Even though I'm in school. And in 4 more weeks I'll be even happier that its summer because I'll be able to enjoy it!!

Happy Sunday!! Have a great week!

I'm DONE!!

After a week at college I came home for my high school graduation. We had the smallest class they've had in 20 years (according to Mr. Martin). 147. Last year was about 100 more than that!

Let's play Where's Waldo. Can you find me?

My parents and me afterwards:

It's over! I'm done! Woo hoo!

So after graduation we went to dinner at the Chinese Buffet in town with my sisters, parents and Ella. At which I stuffed myself until I was sick, and then went to see UP with Mallory and my mom. It's a tear jerker.

Now on to my last year of undergrad!