6 Months

I guess you would think that because it's technically Christmas right now I would be writing a post about Christmas and how it snowed today and I was able to get all of my shopping done in 3 hours this afternoon, we were able to skype with my sister in Thailand for a couple hours, and I am now sitting here writing this in my new zebra print footie pajamas... but that's not what is on my mind right now.

I have been thinking recently about the past 6 months. You know, some people have a hard time living in the present because they are so busy looking forward to and planning for the future, I'm not like that. I have a hard time living in the present because I like to remember the past... it's one of the curses of having a ridiculously good memory. It's how I am able to see someone I met once and place where I met them and what we talked about, and how I was able to keep myself completely head over heels for a guy that I hadn't seen or talked to in 2 years. Anyway, these past 6 months I think it's safe to say have been the most life changing for me out of any other 6 month period so far in my life. Let me explain a little bit.

6 months ago I was living in London. I was immersed in a world that was unfamiliar but I loved so much. I was surrounded by amazing, fun people all the time. I was using foreign money and spent my time going to museums via the tube. I spent a couple of hours a day on skype and the rest of my down time dreaming of the next couple of months to come.

You know on 500 Days of Summer when there is the split screen of expectation and reality? Looking back on this 6 months feels a little bit like that.

I came home from London and went to Colorado and had a perfect week. I cannot think of a single thing that went wrong during that amazing week of four wheeling. Then I came back to Provo and things changed. In the past 6 months I have felt hurt and pain unlike anything I have ever felt before. My heart was completely crushed and I found myself having to work my way back up from what seemed like nothing. The pain has dulled now, that's something that I have found happens over time.

Good things happened too, amazing things actually. I applied for graduation, making this past semester my last full semester of school ever! I was blessed with the greatest roommates in the whole world, one of which is my kindred spirit and has been a life saver for me. I secured a job for next semester that will give me a set schedule.

 I have completely re-evaluated my life and straightened out my priorities. I have become the kind of person that I want to be and that I am proud of, all on my own (with help from a loving Heavenly Father, of course) but without the influence or motivation of another person. I have made changes in my life that I did not even realize that I needed to make before.

My best friend got engaged 5 months ago and was married this past weekend, and I was able to go! I turned 22, which is an age that I have been really excited about for a long time. I had a party and just gave people an open invitation to show up if they felt like it. I had 30 people who I love so much from all of the 4 years that I have been at BYU show up at my apartment to wish me happy birthday! I still can't believe that I have met so many incredible people here! I love them!



This past half year did not go at all the way that I planned, but sometimes God has a better plan for your life. That's what I've learned.

What a Great Weekend!

This weekend was a really good weekend. Yesterday I only had one class. So I went to class for an hour and when I came home I skyped with Julie who is my awesome sister who is studying abroad in Madrid right now. Isn't she gorgeous? Seriously, I have the prettiest sisters.















Then I had to do an assignment where I had to do a lighting set up and light someone... but there was no one around and I couldn't set up lights for myself. So I called Nich who lives really close and was done with class for the day. Then I ended up with an awesome picture like this. haha Jolly Old St. Nich.

My Mom came down to hang out with me for the night. It was awesome! We went to dinner at Zupas and then walked around the mall. (Which doesn't mean just walked around I got a pretty great jacket, thanks Mom!)
















I got an awesome letter this week from my sister Erin who is on a mission in Thailand. My mom brought it down with her. It was one of the best letters ever, she somehow knew exactly what I needed to hear. Missionaries are good at that :) See? She's awesome too, she plays with tigers.









This is the envelope that the letter came in, isn't it great?!
She added a little commentary in the last picture:
"So Asian"


This morning I got up early (7 am!) and went to help film a capstone. I was really cold the whole day. I worked on camera for the first real time, it was a lot of pressure! I think I did ok... There were two Red Epics on set today so instead of doing the second assistant camera person job that I've been trained to do, I found myself being the 1st AC. So I had to focus the camera. I have only done it once before. I made a realization about myself, my left eye is very rarely actually in focus. I'm guessing it has to do with my astigmatism... but I had to focus the camera with one eye haha. It was a little rough, but good practice for when I'll be helping out with camera again next week :) I love working with camera, they are so cool!

Tonight I went to a international movie with my roommate, it was extremely weird. and that's coming from a film major who has watched an unreal number of movies.

When I got home tonight I was just tired... so I sat at home and watched Youtube videos with my roommates :) I found a playlist of 40 of the best cat videos... so worth watching! haha and now I am still not in bed, even though I have now been awake for 14 hours.

Week 1 in London

Well I've officially been in London, well, almost a full week. Tomorrow morning it'll be a week. It has been an amazing week, I am so excited to be able to get another 5 weeks of this beautiful city and great people. I'll just give a brief overview of what I have been up to.

One night after a movie, we found Big Ben. We were very excited :) It was announced today that the clock is going to be renamed after the Queen. And it's real name isn't even Big Ben in the first place, what?!

 We ride the Tube a lot. We're becoming little experts at navigating the city, which always makes me feel cool.

Yesterday we went to the Tower of London. It was really cool to be at an old castle in the middle of modern London. It was also quite warm for the first time so I was happy.

This is Albert. He is a huge statue in Hyde Park right across the street from our flat. We see him basically every day. I have a lot of pictures of Albert.

I went and saw Wicked tonight and it was the best thing I have ever seen! I was so happy! It was worth every pound :) I want to see it again!

My roommates (Cassie and Laura on the ends), Emily, and I after our tour of the British Film Institute. I don't think this skyline will ever get old to me :)

No Responsibilities

I love being at this point in my life. It is so much fun. I'm getting ready to go into my senior year of college... (WHAT!) and I have a job, an amazing group of friends, no classes, and lots of friends getting married. So this past weekend my friends and I took a road trip down to St. George on Saturday to go to some friends' wedding reception. It was awesome. I loved being able to drop everything just to drive 4 hours one way for the sole reason of seeing some friends on their wedding day. I like being able to take advantage of this lack of responsibilities we have right now to just drop everything and go. I know that some day, a day that is gradually approaching, I will have obligations to others. Obligations that are more important that what I want to do at the moment. I love being able to have these spontaneous road trips and experiences like it so that when I do have to be more responsible I won't feel like I am missing out on things.

 CJ and Katie Neser. These two looked so ridiculously happy, it made me a little jealous :) Everyone is happy on their wedding day, but they are one of those powerhouse couples that makes you feel that happiness when you look at them. It makes you think, wow I want something like that someday.

our group that drove down, switched up cars, and drove back. So much fun :)

Their send off, I love these lanterns

I seriously love these girls! They are both going on missions this summer and I'm going to miss them terribly

Something to Smile About

Today was one of those days when I had to look for things to smile about just to keep me going. It was a rough day to get through. You'd think that it was going to be a good day considering I took my last final this morning but I woke up sad. I didn't get much sleep last night and I didn't get any studying done either. Then on my way to my final I felt the need to do something that just made me more sad, it might have been a little bit dramatic to do, but I felt like it was necessary. Then I walked to my final, on the way it started to rain. I got my test... the first question was about something that I had no idea what it meant. There was a concept in another language that we were supposed to talk about, I didn't even know what language it was. That combined with everything else almost made me burst into tears right there. but I didn't. that would have been embarrassing. I ended up guessing what language it was and the deducing what it meant. I found out later that I was right, luckily, it was German. From that final I went to go help my class finish a movie that we've been working on. The sound guy never showed up or even contacted us, so we didn't get to finish that. In all, I was just zoned out today. On my way home I called Chloe and she happened to be home. I haven't seen her in a few weeks so I went over there. That's when my day turned around.

Chloe is one of the greatest people I know and the best friend a person could have. She was busy writing a paper but when she realized that I needed help she stopped and gave me a huge hug. From there I started finding things to smile about. The little things that could get me through the rest of today and probably the next little bit while I adjust to my new normal.

I have amazing friends like Chloe and her roommates.
We went to the corner store and bought a bunch of candy, Chloe's suggestion
I leave for London exactly 2 months from today. (I wish it were sooner though)
I got my new study abroad backpack today, I quite like it. I've had my other backpack since I was 17.
People shared their pizza with me today
I got a high score on my phone game that I have been trying to play recently
My teacher wrote a really complimentary note in my class binder before he handed it back
only one essay stands between me and the end of the semester
I get paid tomorrow
My little sister called me today and we got to talk for a while
Despite everything, through the sadness, I still feel peace and I am mostly thankful for that

2011

I finally had a spare moment today so I put a bunch of the videos that I took last year together. Actually, it took a little bit more than a moment. I happily spent a few hours going through videos and moving things around. It was a great reminder of why I love my major where I get to edit things all the time, of course it's very different when you're putting together your own videos. It's more fun, not gonna lie :)

So here's my compilation of videos from 2011:
(I didn't realize my friends and I danced so much haha)

While I was in the editing lab today cracking up while watching these videos, I kept thinking, wow my friends are so stupid, but I love them!

Heard it Both Ways

Yesterday, I went with my friends to their ward talent show. The friends I'm talking about are Mitch, Michael, and Nich. They are quite possibly some of the funniest people I know and I love being able to see them perform and watching other people react to them. They love to sing so they created a band of sorts. They call themselves Heard it Both Ways or HB dubs... I've heard it both ways :)They completely stole the show! The people weren't exactly sure what to make of them at first but slowly they started to realize their brilliance. Want to see their performance? I guess it's a good thing I was there to record it!
"We rely more on performance than skill." -Nich

And here is their completely unplanned encore performance haha:

Pretty brilliant, isn't it? I love being with these guys, I laugh so hard every time I am with them.

True Blue 3

This week BYU had its annual True Blue event. This was the third time I have been to True Blue and I still loved it. For people who don't know what it is, basically they have a bunch of blue foam that you get to run around and play in. There's a foam water slide and everything! Then when you're done you are completely dyed blue!! but, thank goodness, it washes off everything really easily. This year it was beautiful weather, which is nice because last year it was FREEZING!

I love BYU :)



My boys :)

They insisted on walking back across campus without their shirts on... slightly embarrassing

sophomore year

Freshman year



Lesson Learned

I learned a ton of lessons this weekend, some are more serious than others but I will share some of the more light hearted ones.

1. Some things are worth the wait.

2. If you're going to General Conference, there's a parking lot west of the conference center that is only $5 for 12 hours, it's worth it so that you can actually get in. If you aren't there early enough, you don't get to go to conference.

3. Getting a gold star from someone is not the best thing that can happen to you.

4. How my little sisters act when I bring friends home is a reflection of what they think of me

5. I still stink at Mario Kart, but I have my moments on battle mode.

6. If you refuse to leave an apartment while an "exclusive" party is happening, they will soon forget that you were an outsider.

and finally...

7. If someone insists on taking a picture, and you know that the set up will be incredibly awkward, don't cooperate. Give a better suggestion or you will end up with a picture of you that looks like this:

of course, this is an absolutely hilarious picture and I laughed for a good 5 minutes when I first saw it. But I can't have too many pictures like this of me in the world.

Cabbage Patch Kids

Yesterday my crazy friends had a crazy idea. We were going to play dodgeball... with cabbage. Cabbage was on sale at the farmer's market, 6 Ibs for $1. So, obviously my friends bought $25 worth. If you do the math that's about 150 Ibs of cabbage! haha and of course it rained yesterday which just added to the excitement!

The Cabbage Patch Kids (it seemed like a fitting name)

On friday night I went to the Rascal Flatts concert! It was amazing. We bought lawn seats but when we got there and were trying to find a place to sit some crew guys came up to us and offered us tickets!! (I think it was because I looked so excited that Sara Evans was on stage and was dancing like a crazy person.) When we got to our seats we could not believe our luck, they were in the 8th row!! It was an incredible concert and Sara Evans only made it better.

RASCAL FLATTS!!

8th row baby!

our group in front of the stage

after we got home we called outr friends and went to Wendy's. haha aren't they cute all piled in the back?

Moving out

So Chloe just left. and I'm so incredibly sad. Living with her the past 4 months has been one of my favorite experiences ever! Seriously, I barely knew her when she moved in and now she is one of my absolute best friends. We were together almost constantly from the day she moved in. I miss her already. It was one of those friendships where she would call me every day on her way home from work to tell me she was on her way and I would get excited to see her. I know that not living together doesn't mean that we won't be friends anymore, because we will. It will just be so different.

I'm gonna miss my roommate slash best friend Chloe!

Last Weekend at Lib^2

So this past weekend was the last weekend I'm going to spend living at Liberty Square because I'm going to Florida this week. WEIRD! It's funny to me to think that I'm finally moving. I have been at lib square for a year now. I cannot believe that it has been that long. Although I was not a huge fan of a lot of aspects of liberty, I have really loved living there. I have made so many amazing friends and had so many great experiences. I have never gone to the pool so much in my life, it's amazing what having friends who like it will do to you haha. I'm not gonna lie, I'm going to miss it. I also wen to my last hot dog friday... sad!

Roommates!!

they love me, obviously :)



I seriously love the girls in my ward.





Goodbye Liberty Square! I'm not going to miss your cleaning checks, fines, or horrible internet.

Friday.

Today was a typical Friday.

I went to the midnight showing of Cowboys and Aliens. It was pretty awesome, not gonna lie. They actually successfully mixed western and sci fi. I was impressed. it was very Star Wars-esque as well, which was kinda fun. Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford are believeable cowboys.

I got up just in time to go to hot dog friday (HDF) which is always great! I love my friends :) it was my last HDF I just realized.... that makes me a little bit sad. but not sad enough to make me want to keep living here. We stayed by the pool for quite a while, Tom and Taryn came to visit, it was very fun to see them.

I went back to my apartment and watched Friends with Chloe. I had forgotten how funny that show is!! oh my goodness.

I worked on my History of Creativity project which happens to be a self portrait because it was the easiest thing I could think of. AND GUESS WHAT!! someone I showed it to actually knew it was supposed to be me without me telling them! It made my day.

Then I watched some Psych with Nich. I learned that there is a pineapple in every episode, sometimes it's really hard to find. I was amazed. I guess I learn something new every day.

Then we tried to have a dance party in the parking lot but the dumb night guard came and got mad at us. I will not miss him when I move.

After our party was ruined, we watched some more Friends with more people.

And now I am here... writing a blog. yay. it's 3 in the morning. I'm going to bed. Goodnight! :)


http://youtu.be/kH5JhYsfNMA?t=7s

Helping.

Today I've been thinking about my friends and how I have been so blessed with the greatest friends ever. Recently, these friends are my life. When they are happy, I am too. And when they hurt, I hurt with them.

Recently I've been dealing with the second thing. I have one friend that has been one the most trying friendships I've ever been in, but that's because I care so much for her that when she is having a difficult time, my heart goes out to her. I've been helping her with a certain problem in particular for over a year and a half now. It's like that annoying fly that is in your kitchen that you just can't get rid of and just keeps buzzing in your face... But one day it will be gone, because I'm going to do this to it:

and it's going to be GLORIOUS!! :) I'm so excited for that day. Because I know how happy she will be when that happens, and that means so much to me.

And I have another friend. I want to help him so badly but that's not exactly a possibility right now, so all that I can do is to sit back and hope that he is ok. That is not a fun feeling, at all. I want to do all that I can to make him feel better, and now I just have to wait until it's possible for me to help him and I hope that's soon because I don't like feeling helpless.

It's a weird feeling, having another person that you feel protective of and that can affect your own feelings so much. I had no idea I was such a protective person until I started having those people that I care so much about that I don't want anything negative to happen to them. I found a quote today that I love:

"God made friends so we'll carry a part of His perfect love in all our hearts."

I have started to see just how true this is as I have made more friends and gotten closer to them. I am so greatful for my friends, even in the hard times for the things that they teach me every day and for the love that they show for me in return.

 



Insomniac

I can't sleep. I don't know why. This just does not happen to me... Well I think I did fall asleep for a while but for some reason I woke back up and now I'm out on the couch with my pillow, blanket, and my computer. I don't know why I want to blog right now either. I probably don't make any sense right now. Yeah, I was definitely asleep for at least a while because I woke up to my computer (which was closed) made the start up sound and then a minute later started playing the song that I was listening to earlier this afternoon. So basically this whole thing is extremely weird. My room is really warm, that's why I moved to the couch, it was too hot.

I need a drink of water. gosh, this is a really weird post. I think my body thinks I took a nap.

Anyway, here are some pictures I took this past week:


my sisters and I went to a drive in movie last weekend :)



my friends decorated my car, they make me happy. I took pictures before I washed it off

it was on my window too haha, it would have been creepy if I didn't know exactly who it was :)

 Well... this was a weird post. I might delete it later haha we'll see. Maybe I should just not blog at 4:00 am.

Elder Taylor :)

It's my best friend Colton's 1 year mark on his mission. I have some pictures of him because he's awesome, and this is kinda my way of making me feel better about not writing to him as consistantly as I would like.

He's in Barcelona and he is absolutely loving it!

look how cute he is! "Baby Colton" to quote Bridget

Yep. That's classic Colton

 On his birthday... in February.

No, this isn't a mission picture but it's one of my favorites of him.

 I think this was when we really became friends. haha isn't he awesome?

And your guess is as good as mine as to what he was supposed to be dressed up as...



I miss you Elder Taylor! I'm going to send you a letter very soon. Keep up the good work! :)