Completing the Square

Tada!

2009-11-21T22:06:00.002-07:00

Click HERE! Do it. I dare you.

Surviving

2009-11-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

I made it through the week! I took my four tests. Two of them were for my crazy hard math classes and I'm so happy because a got an 82 on my advanced calc test and a 96 on my stats test. I know that the 82 doesn't sound great, but I came out of the test thinking I didn't do well, and I have never, EVER gotten anything close to a B on an advanced calc test because that class is so hard. I literally almost cried with joy when I got that test back. I'm not kidding. My other two tests I won't get the results of for about 6 weeks, but I'm pretty sure I will be taking them again next semester. Oh well. That is why I took them early, so that I had more opportunities to take them before I graduate.

The Praxis was insane. They are so strict about everything you do. You can't drink water during the test in case someone gulps too loud. You can't use mechanical pencils. If you have a cell phone in the building they can kick you out of the test. You can't replace the batteries in your own calculator if they die during the test (the guy has to do it for you). They told someone that they were coughing too loud. They check your ID three times during and after the test, even though you have never left the room. Yeah...it's a bit extreme, and all of this was at 7:30 on a Saturday morning when I was already exhausted and already kind of grumpy. After this test, I came home and took a really long nap and then spent the rest of the day watching Gilmore Girls and hanging out with Colt. I gave my brain a break from math. I think I would have exploded had I thought about math for one more minute.

7 more days of school until Thanksgiving break. 12 more days of class total, 3 finals and then I'm headed to Salt Lake to see the lights and the Motab Christmas concert. Then I get to go home for Christmas. I can't wait!

Studying

2009-11-09T21:36:00.001-07:00

I'm allowing myself a five minute study break. The only things getting me through this week are Colt, Dr. Pepper, white chocolate candy cane kisses, and of course my family and friends.

Anyone want to take over advanced calc for me?

Back to studying...maybe I should put a picture up of the review sheet. Then you would all understand that not only is the material horribly hard, but the professor's handwriting is impossible to read, so it is like translating a foreign language that you don't speak. Fun.

Help!

2009-11-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

I am still sick! I can't remember the last time I could breathe through my nose.

Next week I have 4 tests.

One in probability and statistics...it will be ok.

One in advanced calculus...why don't you just shoot me right now. I hate that class...I'm so sick of writing proofs that I don't really feel like go anywhere. I'm also tired of the professor that states a theorem and then says, "you know this, you know this." Well, no. I don't. That would be why I'm taking this class.

Another test is the exit exam. I have to pass to graduate. No calculator, no scratch paper, just me for two hours calculating things and remembering formulas that I haven't used in two years. I'm hoping the nation in general is dumb because my score is based on my percentile in the nation.

The last test is the praxis. I have to pass that one to graduate too. It's Saturday morning at seven. There's a nice way to start the weekend.

Oh and I have a paper to write.

I'm feeling overwhelmed! Anyone have words of encouragement? What are you looking forward to this week?

A Few Letters

2009-10-26T17:20:00.001-06:00

Dear Baking Soda,
We are no longer friends. That is really all I have to say to you.

Dear KitchenAid,
Sorry I made you work so hard today, it will never happen again. Actually, I can't promise that.

Dear Kitchen,
Sorry you are such a mess. Maybe someday I will learn how to bake without spilling flour and powdered sugar everywhere.

Dear Mom,
Do you think you could come out here and make your amazing Halloween cookies? I am apparently incapable and that is all I really wanted today. Please?!

Dear Colt,
Sorry you have to deal with my craziness, and eat my gross baked goods. Thanks for cleaning the kitchen!

Dear Dan,
Fine! Keep the stupid cookie gene! I didn't want it anyway! At least I got the sewing gene...until you steal it from me.

Dear Cookies,
I hope you enjoy being in the trash.

Love,
Karen

Domesticity

2009-09-29T10:47:00.002-06:00

I had my last show this weekend, and I thought I would be sad, but I wasn't. I was so thankful that my mom came to see it. She has always come to all my shows, so I was really glad she could be at my last show ever. I'm glad Colt was there and that we could both dance one last time with the Ballroom Dance Company. I'm still a little sad to not be dancing, but I'm doing much better since I have been able to dance just a little bit more.

Now that I quit Lin's and dancing, I have had time to do fun things with Colt and our friends. Last night I made dinner for Colt and Alli and I decided to be brave and try a new recipe. I made roasted chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, and rosemary, with onions, bell peppers, and red potatoes. I was really nervous, but it actually turned out well, and Colt and Alli didn't get food poisoning or anything, so that is definitely good news. Then we went to Maggi Moos for dessert and to celebrate me being done with my advanced calc test (aka the test from hell).

I have loved getting to be a little more domestic in my spare time. This morning I wanted to wear my long pink button up shirt with my big black belt over it, but it was wrinkled, and honestly, normally I would have just given up on the outfit and dealt with it later. Instead, I pulled out my new aqua rowenta iron and ironed my shirt. I remembered that I actually really enjoy ironing. It feels good to have crisp, smooth clothes.

My family can no longer tease me about not cooking or doing other things of that nature. All I needed was a little time on my hands.

Oink Oink

2009-09-20T21:38:00.002-06:00

Close friends of our family have a tradition of telling the good and not-so-good of their lives at dinner, so I decided to blog about my good and not-so-good things as of late.

Not So Good:
-For the last 5 days I have been horribly sick. I have had a sore throat (swallowing has been horribly painful), fever, head ache, stuffy nose, and basically I have done nothing but lay around our apartment being sick. I did drag myself out of bed last week to go to class, but that is pretty much the only time I left the house. Unfortunately, all of these things are symptoms of the swine flu, but having no insurance, a doctor has not confirmed that diagnosis.

Good:
-I have a husband that takes such good care of me, especially when I'm sick.
-Since I have been stuck in the apartment so much lately, I have had time to start making Colt's Christmas stocking. My Mom bought me the stuff to make our Christmas stockings this summer, and being sick gave me an excuse to watch Gilmore Girls and sew stockings. It is so fun! I feel so domestic.
-I have something to get me through this week...my Mom is coming to visit this weekend! I have my last ever ballroom dance show this weekend, and since my Dad will be traveling for work, my Mom is driving out to visit and see my show. I am so excited!

Ch Ch Changes!

2009-09-04T10:04:00.002-06:00

The last few weeks have consisted of lots of new things in my life. Actually I guess it is more of a lack of old things. The first is that I decided not to do ballroom anymore. This was honestly one of the hardest decisions of my life. I never saw the day I would give up dance, but I decided that my school work and my husband are more important. I am still really sad. I know I will eventually get used to a life without dance and it will be better in the long run, but I still miss it. I get to do one last show at the end of September and my director put me in some solo spots and featured dances since it is my last show. It is good that I get one last chance to do one of my favorite things ever.

The other change is so exciting!! Drum roll please......I quit Lin's! After multiple shifts of calling Colt crying because I got yelled at by a customer, or my manager wrote me up for being late for break because I was helping a customer, or I got in trouble for not facing the soda, or some crazy thing that happened at work, we decided it was time for me to quit. Next week will be my last week, and even though I love the people I work with, I am so excited to be rid of the stress. I can't wait to actually see Colt and have time to do my homework. I am not at all sad to leave the rude customers of Lin's and the horrible shifts which always include nights, weekends, and holidays.

It has been a busy, long, hard, emotional week and I'm so excited to spend the weekend at the cabin (and not so excited to work). Thank goodness for long weekends!

We're Back!

2009-08-29T03:01:00.002-06:00

We are back from the wedding and our honeymoon, we have started school, and we are starting to get settled into our apartment again. I posted a few pictures of our wedding, more to come later. I had sweet aqua shoes...they got ruined in the rain, but it was all worth it!

This is my cute niece, Jordyn. Here is a conversation with Jordyn that my English-nerd friends will appreciate.
Colt: Jordyn, where did Aunt Karen and Uncle Colt get married?
Jordyn: ...
Colt: Did they get married at the temple?
Jordyn: No! IN the temple!

This is us coming out of the temple...so glad it wasn't raining!

This week has been crazy busy trying to get into school mode and back to normal life. We became accustomed to unlimited soft serve ice cream and no need to be aware of time on the cruise and this week has been a rude awakening back to real life. Classes are hard, but interesting. History of math is math-nerd heaven! I love it!

Now after a long, hard week, I'm at home alone because Colt went to work this weekend and since I had to work too I couldn't go with him. Alli and I went to the movies and now I'm laying in bed watching Gilmore Girls (what else is new?). More updates to come later. For now I'm going to bed with my giant, stuffed frog, Henry, and a healthy dose of Gilmore Girls to doze off to.

Counting Down

2009-07-29T21:35:00.003-06:00

We are getting married in 17 days and counting!!

I am so excited I can barely stand it! Things are wrapping up as far as details go so all that's left to do is wait. My bridesmaids have their dresses, Alli and I finished my veil, we decided on a beautiful hairstyle (bonus: it makes my hair look SO thick, which is a major bonus since I don't have hair...I'm sure many of you remember me when I was young and my serious lack of hair was all over the place), the invitations are sent, and all the little details are falling into place. I still need to go pick up my dress, which I'm going to do next weekend. I. Can't. Wait.

Super Mom to the Rescue!

2009-07-10T09:04:00.003-06:00

After living alone this summer, having Colt gone more often than not, working in hell (sometimes referred to as Lin's), having a lot on my mind, and just being overall lonely, it was amazing to have my Mom come down here for a few days to visit me. She came in celebration of my birthday week. She came with me to my dress fitting, so I wouldn't have to go alone (it fit perfectly, by the way). We made cheesecake for Colt's birthday and spent most of our time playing wii fit and watching Harry Potter. She helped me pick out jewelry for the wedding and prepare to go to the temple. It was an amazing week. I had so much fun with my Mom and I'm not sure if she will ever know how grateful I am that she came to visit me this week. That is the best birthday present I could have ever received from her. I love my Mom!

My brother rocks!

2009-06-24T13:32:00.002-06:00

I know it has been forever since I have blogged, but I finally have the internet in my apartment so I can now blog whenever I want, instead of when get time to go to the school.

Yesterday I was having a really bad day at work. My coworkers were making fun of me more than usual, my customers were all rude and yelling at me, my schedule for the next week was horrible. It was one of those days that reminded me why I dislike my job so much.

After being at work for 6 hours I got a break and went outside to call Colt and vent. I (of course) started crying on the phone to him because I was so frustrated with everything. I went back inside and a few minutes later found that I had a text from my brother. It said "You're a good sister. I love you." I then started crying out of happiness and love for my family. Corny, I know, but I'm so grateful to have a family that loves and cares for me. My brother rocks!

Back to Real Life

2009-05-26T12:46:00.003-06:00

I am finally back from my 3 week long tour of the North West. We went to Salt Lake City, La Grande, Seattle, Orcas Island, Everett, Lincoln City, Cottage Grove, Coos Bay, Medford, and Davis. It was a very...interesting 3 weeks. We got to do a lot of fun things like sail in Seattle and visit the space needle. Speaking of Seattle, I have renamed Pikes Place Market, it is now called fruit heaven. We went to the redwoods and spent some time on the Oregon coast.

Colt and I are in the redwoods with our good friends Dave and Marlayna. This was us being rebellious and being 10 minutes late.

Other than doing those fun things, we spent our time driving (and driving and driving), performing, setting up theaters, getting yelled at, dealing with team romances and drama, missing our friends, never having any free time or alone time, eating gas station food, living out of suitcases with host families, skipping meals, and never sleeping.

It was a fun trip, but three weeks was way too long and I was definitely ready to come home. I did have a break down in the middle of it, but thankfully Colt was there to make everything better. The trip was bittersweet for me because I know that this is the last team I will ever be on. I have danced since I was 5 years old, and trying to imagine my life without dance is really hard, but I am moving on to bigger and better things!

Now I get to look forward to going home this weekend with Colt. I am so excited to go to my bridal shower, hang out with my family, and go to Matthew's farewell. I can't believe he is leaving so soon, but I'm so excited for him!

Moving

2009-04-27T15:33:00.002-06:00

I HATE moving! I have put off packing and organizing for a while now, and today I decided I should finally start getting ready to move. I took everything off my walls, took my curtains down, and started packing things. Now my room looks bare and lonely instead of being full of pictures of my friends and family, and I can't stand to be in it. It doesn't feel like home anymore.

The worst part is that I'm having a hard time being motivated to move since I'm moving into an apartment by myself. I love my new apartment and I'm so excited to get married, but I'm dreading a summer of living by myself with my fiance 5 hours away. I'm used to having my best friend in the room next to me so I always have someone to talk to. I'm going to miss living with her and it's not going to help being alone. I'm just trying to remember that at the end of this summer I get to marry my best friend in the whole world and then I'll never have to live alone again.

3 finals left and then no more school until August!

Exhausted

2009-04-14T17:39:00.003-06:00

This is a picture of my wonderful trip to Disneyland with Colt and some friends. I got my ring while I was there, and I'm currently so tired that I have nothing else to post about the trip. It was a blast though!

I know I need to update my blog more, but at the moment I'm just so sick of school, work, and ballroom that I'm too worn out to write anything. Maybe when finals and concert are over I will be able to have a life again.

The Ring

2009-04-01T14:28:00.002-06:00

So I said I would post more wedding details and here they are. This is a picture of my ring. We bought it yesterday, but don't have it yet because it had to be sized. They said it would be ready on April 10th. I'm very impatient. But I love it and I'm so excited for it to come!

Exciting News!

2009-03-30T15:34:00.002-06:00

In my last blog I mentioned some exciting news that was coming later, and now is the time for that exciting news. I have held this secret in for a little over a week now and I can't take it anymore...it's killing me!

We are getting married!! On August 15, 2009 in the Denver Temple, Colt and I are getting married. I'm so excited! I don't have my real ring yet (when I get it, I will definitely post a picture), but Alli and I picked it out and we are going to buy it this week. Until I get that ring, I'm wearing Colt's mom's old ring.

Anyway, I'm sure lots of wedding details will be posted soon and often this summer, but until then I'm just so excited to be getting married to my best friend in 138 days!

Craziness

2009-03-27T13:51:00.004-06:00

No, I'm not dead. I'm really just extremely busy and haven't been home long enough to write a blog lately. I have spent the last month doing tons of ballroom things. We had Dancing with the Stars (the SUU version), a trip to Vegas and Pahrump to perform and compete, a mid-semester tour around Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, and today we leave for Idaho for the weekend. Our mid-semester tour was fun. Most of our time was spent driving, sitting in theaters, performing, doing workshops, and hanging out, but it was fun. I loved getting to know people on my team better, and I especially loved spending tons of time with Colt. He had to drive his truck, so Marlayna was kind enough to always assign me to his truck so I could be with him. It was exhausting though. We traveled about 2000 miles on the whole trip and performed all over the place.

School and work are crazy as well. I'm busy trying to find time to study for my exit exam so that I can graduate next year from school. I have to take that in April and it is apparently very difficult. It's hard to believe that I'll be graduating next year, it feels like I just got here!

Other than that my life consists of finding time to sleep and eat (both kind of rare) and missing my family. That and some exciting news which is coming later...

Zicam

2009-03-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I started to get a horrible cold. Sunday was spent laying in bed miserable and sleeping until I had to go to work and stay until midnight. It was awful. I just sat on the service counter and did nothing for three hours (no one in Cedar City comes to Lin's on a Sunday night). So yesterday I was even more miserable. I couldn't breathe and I was coughing and basically just felt horrible. Alli had been bugging me about taking this medicine that she said works really well for colds. I'm generally skeptical of medicines and I hate taking them so I told her maybe later and never tried it.

Last night I finally caved. I went to Walmart with Alli and got Zicam. It's like a miracle! You just squirt it in your nose and then all of a sudden you can breathe! I love being able to breathe. It made it possible for me to sleep through the night and it makes it so that I can function during practice. I wish I could make a commercial for Zicam because I would totally rock that commercial. I will use Zicam for all my future colds...I will never go back. It is seriously so amazing.

Just for Alli and Colt

2009-02-26T20:30:00.002-07:00

Alli and Colt-

You both have been asking me to blog all week so here I am blogging.

Alli do you remember that time when we went to Pizza Factory and had to listen to the awkward, annoying little girl scream about how her big sister was pregnant? I remember that too...then we went home and passed out in our beds before going to practice. That would be because we are pretty much the same person. By the way, I think you are stupid and I hate you! Love you best friend, and don't worry, we'll always have synchronized swimming.

Colt, as we speak I'm watching you practice theater arts. I'm so thankful I'm not in that dance. I would probably die...or be dropped on my head. Today you have been a raging volcano of jealousy and hate. Alli and I like it when you aren't a raging volcano...we like it when you are our family like usual. Maybe you should work on that so we don't have to kick you out of the family. That would be pretty tragic. You look tired...I hope Mark lets you stop this dance soon. Oh and I hope your migraine is better. :)

To everyone else reading this I'm sorry. I'll post a real blog later...this was mostly just to keep Alli and Colt happy.

Dear Old Friend

2009-02-24T14:09:00.005-07:00

Disclaimer: I know this sounds really emo, but I wrote this with no intention of posting it and Alli told me I had to. Contrary to how this may sound, I'm not bitter. If you don't understand the situation this letter will make no sense, but here it is anyway.

Dear Old Friend,

That night that I was curled up in a ball crying on my bed, I thought my life would never be the same again. I didn't know how I could be happy without my best friend. I thought I would miss you horribly and that I would be lonely all the time.

The truth is, I don't miss you. I don't miss you at all. In fact, I'm glad we aren't friends anymore. Instead of having the shallow, insecure relationship that we constantly shared, my life is now full of joy and I have never been happier. My friends now have a deeper meaning in my life. We are family, not just friends. We can discuss the deepest things as well as just playing around. I would never trade the relationships I have now to get you back in my life.

Someday you will feel that joy as well. Someday you will realize how much more full your life can be. I hope you find all that out soon. I don't want you to waste your life away in this shallow, immature stage that you are in, but that's your life and you gave me, your "best friend", up so that you could live that life. I hope you got what you truly wanted because I know that I got more than I could've ever hoped for. I lost one friend, but gained the best people I could possibly have asked for in my life.

Goodbye old friend. Enjoy the shallow, barren existence that you attempt to fill your life with.

-Karen

Therapy Gel

2009-02-20T14:12:00.002-07:00

No Alli, this is not the post I started...don't worry I will post that one eventually!

But now I would like to post on the magic of Therapy Gel. Not only is it blue, squishy, and sparkly, but it also feels great on your head. Not just any head, but the head that has been fallen on TWICE in one week now. My poor head...it probably wants to know what it did to make me treat it like this.

Colt and Michael tried to save me this time...they collided and I fell between them. Now Colt's jaw is bruised and swollen.

At least I know I have people that love me...

Elder Jibson

2009-02-15T22:06:00.002-07:00

I'm so excited for my brother. Today my family called me and I got to talk to my Mom, Dad, Dan, Matthew, Jenny, and Tiffany on the phone. I would have preferred to be there with them, but that was not an option so I guess this was the next best thing. Anyway...we had this phone call so that Matthew could open his mission call. He is going to the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil mission, and he will be speaking Portuguese! I'm so excited for him!

It's really hard to have a brother on a mission. I missed Dan so much when he was gone, and I know that my feelings for Matthew will be the same. At the same time though, I would never trade the blessings that come from having a member of my family on a mission. I have never felt more strongly a feeling of family unity and being sealed for eternity than when Dan was on his mission. It means that the best Christmas present in the world is getting to talk to Matthew and getting to pray with my whole family, knowing that he is praying with us even though he is thousands of miles away. I'm so grateful for Matthew's example to me, and for the wonderful brother that he is.

I love my family so much. I wish I could be with them more, but I'm so grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and the plan of salvation. I can't wait to be with my family forever. I'm so grateful for temples and that my family is sealed together, that is such a blessing in my life.

The Perfect End to a Bad Week

2009-02-12T22:45:00.002-07:00

So I'm sitting at practice, and I pretty much just want to curl up in a tiny ball and sleep until spring break. Can't I hibernate like a bear?

After battling homesickness all week and struggling with school, I came to practice tonight and hit my head on the concrete floor and then got dropped in a lift. Needless to say, I have a horrible headache.

My whole family is going to be home this weekend without me. I was going to drive home with Colt on Saturday after our performance, but it's supposed to snow this weekend, so I'm stuck here while my whole family spends the whole weekend together. On the bright side, I found out I might be able to go home for three days over Spring Break. That would make me really happy.

I'm looking forward to a long weekend. I'm excited for a conference call with my family on Sunday, and I'm trying to be excited for the Valentine's Day Gala that I'm going to and dancing at. I'm wearing a pretty dress and amazing shoes, so it should be a good evening.

Hopefully the weekend will bring happiness and less homesickness.

Blah

2009-02-09T14:14:00.002-07:00

I miss my family, and the worst part is that I can't go home until August. I guess that's what happens when you go to college far, far away from your home.

Oh and Dan, I got one in there with you this time. Don't you just love my ballroom hair and makeup?

I'm so unmotivated today. I think it's the snow.

Shoot Me Now

2009-02-05T17:53:00.002-07:00

As I am typing this I'm studying for a history test with Blake, Jose, and Chelsea.

SHOOT ME NOW!

The Cabin

2009-01-31T19:16:00.003-07:00

As was previously mentioned, I went to Colt's cabin last night with some of our friends. I have been to this cabin quite a few times now and I can really say that it is one of my favorite places to go. I thought I should share this happiness with everyone else.

This is me and Colt about to go to the cabin:

Not a flattering picture, but I thought I would post this one for those of you that didn't believe I actually got on a snowmobile again (that would mostly be my family):

This is Colt making pancakes and hot chocolate for breakfast :)

This is Colt's parents' room. It is gorgeous...I wish you could see the whole thing.

And this is the BEAUTIFUL kitchen in the cabin. I love it so much.

We went up last night and made dinner, hung out by the fire, played games and watched movies. This morning we played in the snow and rode around on snowmobiles until we had to leave because I had to go to work. It was the perfect way to end a busy, stressful week. I love the cabin!

On a side note...as a checker at a grocery store I beg all of you to refrain from going to the store the day before the Super Bowl. Lin's was full of grumpy customers wanting their beer and chips to celebrate and I almost went insane.

Best Friends

2009-01-29T15:06:00.003-07:00

Meet my best friend, Alli:

People think we are so weird because we sing songs about being best friends and we quote Gilmore Girls all the time. We have crazy inside jokes that no one understands, and we laugh at each other just because we both find each other hilarious, even though no one else does. That's why I love her...she understands me. I love my best friend, she's the greatest.

Exhausted

2009-01-28T11:13:00.002-07:00

You know those weeks when all you really want is to take a nice, hot shower and then get in your warm, squishy bed and go to sleep? Yeah...that has been all I have wanted for the last two weeks. Instead, I have spent all my time studying math and learning dances. I have learned 7 dances in a week and a half. Psycho. My whole body is sore and tired, and showering is seriously the best feeling in the world. Sleep is rare but that's ok because all of it is worth it. I love dancing on tour team. I love the dances I have learned, and I love progressing. Sometimes I forget how much I love being busy, but I think I feel a sense of accomplishment when I am.

Last night, however, I decided to take a break. Colt and I went to Winger's for dinner and then went to his house to watch A Goofy Movie. I fell asleep in the middle of it, which was around 8:00. He took me home where I passed out on my bed and didn't wake up again until my alarm went off at 5:30 this morning for practice. It was the best sleep I have had in a long time.

Tonight I'm hoping to stay motivated enough to get lots of math homework done, and maybe even some work for my retarded online education class. Thankfully the week is almost over and then I get to go to Colt's cabin with all my best friends. I'm so excited to go to the happiest place on earth!

2009-01-19T13:21:00.003-07:00

School has started and is actually better than I expected it to be. My classes are fun and I'm enjoying school again! It's a miracle. I still don't like my abstract algebra class...too much theory...too many proofs. It's just too much for one brain to think about! Someday maybe I'll understand it. My other classes are significantly easier and give me a nice break from math. I love being able to study French, history, and education instead of just math. I'm also taking 2 ballroom classes which are helping me improve a ton. If anyone is trying to work on their abs...do samba, I promise it will give you a six pack.

Speaking of ballroom, we had tryouts last week and I made the tour team. I'm so excited! I miss dancing with Alli though.

Anyway, now I'm just enjoying my day off before I start being crazy busy again. Thank goodness for days off!

2009-01-04T11:07:00.002-07:00

I'm finally back. After a long few months full of finals, work, ballroom, family, Christmas, and relaxing, I have finally come back to the blogging world.

I'm not ready to start school tomorrow. I want more time to relax and be with my family and friends. Unfortunately, I don't have a choice. I got to go home for 10 days over Christmas which was wonderful. I love when my whole family is together. We spent all our time playing games, watching movies, reading, eating, and lounging together and I loved every minute of it. Being with my family was the best Christmas present!

Since being back from Colorado I have mostly been working. I've also spent time watching House with Alli and Colt. On Friday night, Colt invited me to go to his cabin with his family. His cabin in snowed in, so you have to take snowmobiles to get there. Considering the horrible accident I was in on a snowmobile in high school, I was not excited for that part. I'm happy to report that I made it there and back with no accidents and I'm now not as scared anymore, although it's still not my favorite thing to do.

I'm going to spend today going to church and then mentally preparing myself to be back in school, classes, and ballroom which will be kind of a shock for my brain that doesn't want to go back to reality.

Making Patterns

2008-11-17T08:19:00.003-07:00

As a future math teacher I am always looking for real-world example I can give my students when they ask me the question "how will this apply to me in the future?" Personally, I think that is a dumb question. You are in the class so you obviously need to know it. However, this weekend I found a wonderful example.

On Saturday I spent 11 hours (it was my day off Lin's and heaven forbid I actually get a day off) creating patterns to use for our samba dresses. Keep in mind these dresses have to be done by Wednesday and we have to make 12. We didn't have a pattern so I had to create a pattern. I followed the instructions of the costume design major in charge of the project, but once I was done she realized that people have a larger hip measurement in the back than in the front (go figure). After running into many problems with the asymmetrical hem and other things, I spent another few hours designing another pattern. This one was perfect. Perfect in a geometric, math-nerd sort of way. Even though this pattern was very difficult to come up with out of thin air, it would have worked. Then we asked our lovely costume design major/ballroom dancer (Chelsea) how much fabric we had. 13 yards. 13 yards of fabric to make 12 dresses. Is she insane? I'm pretty sure the answer is yes.

Then Alli and I went home and spent a few hours looking at the old dresses that we were trying to recreate. After measuring and studying them, we came up with a new pattern (Alli did the top and I did the bottom). This pattern is simple, easy to use, doesn't use a lot of fabric, and is also geometrically perfect. Chelsea hates it. Why? Because there is a seam down the back to allow for darts so the dresses will actually fit girls. Heaven forbid we put a seam down the back of the dress right?

I don't care though. I'm proud of myself for being able to create 4 patterns in one day. I think it was the combination of math skills and having my mother's genes. She is great at sewing. She was proud of my pattern-making skills as well. :)

Samba

2008-11-07T08:08:00.003-07:00

Ok so lately ballroom has been crazy, hectic, and full of drama. I've spent most of my time helping plan events and running the team. While I have been dancing, I forgot for a while why I'm doing ballroom. Then my dear friend the samba came around. My team was supposed to do a west coast swing, a tango, and a night club two step, but due to a change in personnel, we aren't doing the night club two step and we are now doing a samba!!

When I had first found out this year what dances we were doing I was so disappointed because I really just wanted to do a Latin dance. Now, Latin is back! I missed it so much!

This is our samba from last year:

it rocked...

We learned the choreography last night and then had a practice this morning to clean the dance and it felt so good to do an upbeat dance again and move my hips!! If you are ever in a bad mood and just feel like dancing (I don't know why you would unless you are me), I would definitely recommend the samba...it can make everything good. Yay for samba...it reminded me why I love dancing!!

Farewell Old Friend

2008-11-04T21:58:00.002-07:00

There are lots of things that I need to post about from the last week. It seems like months ago that I went home because so much has gone on since then. Lots of crazy things are happening...but I'll post about those later.

I just wanted to post about Lauren. She is reporting to the MTC tomorrow before going to California for her mission. I'm so proud of her. She is going to be an amazing missionary. I can't believe we have been friends for 15 years!! That seems like so long and I'm so blessed to have such an amazing friend in my life for so long! Even though I'm going to miss her, I'm so glad she gets this opportunity to serve the Lord for 18 months. I love you Lauren!!

Home Sweet Home

2008-10-27T23:28:00.002-06:00

After a very long, intense, stressful week I got to go home this weekend. The reason for this trip was mainly to see my family since I can't go home for Thanksgiving and to see Lauren before she goes on her mission. It also ended up that one of my really good friends, Bryan, got home from his mission on Saturday, so I got to see him too which was great!

My trip started off with a 3.5 hour drive to Salt Lake and then a flight home. I was SO tired when I got off the plane that I tried to go down on the up escalator. Yeah...it was pretty embarrassing. Saturday I spent the morning shopping with my mom and then I met Lauren and Rach for a while at Starbucks to talk and catch up. I then went home and ate my dad's world famous tacos and spent some more time with my parents before meeting Bryan and Cameron at the Stake Center. Bryan was his normal self but had just gotten released from being a missionary, so he was in a little bit of a culture shock when Lauren and I went to hug him.

Sunday, I went to church to hear Lauren speak and then had brunch with Lauren and Rach. It was so fun to spend time together like we used to, but it was really hard to say goodbye knowing that I wouldn't see Lauren again until I'm graduated from college. We haven't gone that long without seeing eachother since we met (we met when we were 5!). I'm so excited for her to go on a mission though!! Then I hung out with my parents some more and they took me to the airport. It was really hard for me to leave because I felt like I hadn't been home for long enough and I just wish I could come home for Thanksgiving. I'm honestly not sure how I'm going to handle being in Cedar for such a big holiday.

My flight was delayed in Denver so I had to sit in the airport FOREVER next to this guy who I'm pretty sure was high. He kept telling me about all the drugs he invents and how he can't go a day without drugs (I didn't say anything, I was just thinking wow this guy is gross). My ipod was dead but I put in my headphones to pretend I was listening to it so he would stop talking to me...he didn't but at least I had a better reason to ignore him now other than just that's he was creepy. After finally getting to Salt Lake I headed back to Cedar and didn't get in until 11:30, but I was surprisingly awake on the drive.

I'm so glad I got to go home. It was just the boost I needed to keep me motivated in school and everything else going on in my life. I love the comforts of home and being with my parents and my kitties. I love eating tacos and spending time with friends. I just love Colorado. I can't wait to go back on December 19!!

From A to Z

2008-10-20T02:05:00.004-06:00

Randomly tonight Alli and I decided to make a list of all of our favorite things starting with each letter of the alphabet. It is much harder than you would think...but it's so much fun!! We are going to get pictures of all of them and make a scrapbook so that we always have something to cheer us up! Here is my list:

A: Aeropostale
B: BMWs

C: chapstick (light blue is the only real kind!)
D: dancing

E: earrings
F: family and friends

G: Gilmore Girls
H: hugs
I: ipod
J: July
K: kitties

L: laundry
M: math
N: nests (this is the name we gave to those pillows with armrests...)
O: oreos
P: Dr. Pepper
Q: quotes (we have a quote wall)
R: road trips

S: shoes
T: tacos
U: underwear
V: very hot men (Twitch Boss comes to mind)

W: white cheddar popcorn
X: xtra polka dots (this was a stretch, but I love polka dots and what really starts with x?)
Y: yummy food

Z: zip-up hoodies

So there is my list from A to Z of all my favorite things. What are your favorite things??

California

2008-10-19T22:38:00.003-06:00

Ok, so I haven't posted in a long time again, but I've been so busy with the various activities going on in my life that I'm going to attempt to catch up right now! This first post will mainly be about my trip to California, but I'll try to post on other things as well.

I got to go to Newport Beach, California for a ballroom competition with the tour team, since my competition partner is on tour team and it was so much fun!! I stayed in a huge beautiful house and the owner of the house owned a BEAUTIFUL BMW, which has been my dream car for forever! We spent time dancing and hanging out on the beach in between the competition, so we had tons of fun. My partner and I danced well (other than completely messing up our cha cha...but that's ok because our rumba was HOT!).

This is me and Chelsea on Newport Beach. This was my proof that I actually went in the ocean, which was needed because I hate being wet. So yes, everyone, I went in the ocean!

This is Colt, me, and Charles hanging out at the beach. Colt is my dance partner, and I was basically with these two the entire trip!

We all decided that we are going to buy a beach house together so we can live there because it's so beautiful. These are the beach houses we were looking at! If only I really could do that...

This is me and Jose at the competition. That is my amazing bright blue samba dress that I wore to compete in. He is an amazing dancer and he and his partner got 2nd and 3rd in their events...so this was us celebrating!

That was basically my trip...lots of sitting in vans, not eating, dancing, not sleeping, dancing some more, playing on the beach, driving...good times!!

Conference Weekend

2008-10-06T00:25:00.001-06:00

I absolutely love conference weekend!! General Conference always seems to come right when I need it. There were so many messages of hope and happiness in this conference, which was definitely what I needed to hear. I have been so discouraged with school and other things lately, but now I feel refreshed and ready to tackle this semester! General Conference is so amazing!!

I also love that it finally feels like fall. I love the smell of fall and the crisp, cold air! Last night some friends and I curled up under blankets and drank hot chocolate and ate the fresh batch of caramel popcorn that I made and watched a movie and it was perfect. I'm so excited to wear sweaters and hoodies and see the leaves change again!! Fall is such a great season!

On top of that, Alli and I decorated for Halloween today. We put up my Halloween Mr. Potato heads and the pumpkin lights my mom sent me. My roommates family came over today and I think they thought we were crazy because we were so excited but I don't care because I absolutely love decorating and it makes me feel like I'm at home again :)

Speaking of home I get to go home in 19 days and counting! What a great weekend!

Things I Love

2008-10-01T00:01:00.002-06:00

I've decided to post a few of the things I have loved about the last week (I would post pictures too, but my friend borrowed my camera):

I LOVE surprise packages from my Mom. Especially halloween-themed packages with brownies involved!
I loved passing my advanced calc test (that gives me hope for passing the class!!).
I love having a best friend who cares enough about me to point things out that I need to change in myself.
I love dancing in ALL my spare time to practice for team and prepare for our competition in California next week.
I loved going to Salt Lake to see one of my best friends get married.
I loved that my life-long friend got her mission call!
I love that my Dad is back from China, so now I can talk to him again and my Mom isn't stuck alone with our cats.
I love having a family that prays for me and looks out for me.

Life is so amazing when we take the time to recognize all of the great things that happen everyday!

It's Time

2008-09-22T22:25:00.002-06:00

After not blogging for a while, it's time to dive back in again! So, we will start with my weekend. Friday night consisted of me working (yeah, that's a really lovely way to spend your Friday night), and work ended with me crying and going home to watch Gilmore Girls in my room. Good night.

Saturday was somewhat better. This weekend was our homecoming so as a ballroom dance company we had to dance in the parade. We danced and then sprinted, and then danced and then sprinted. All while wearing black shirts and trying to smile and breathe so we didn't pass out. haha No one passed out, so I think we did well! After the parade, Alli and I came home and watched Gilmore Girls and took a nap. It was needed after the long, hot day. Then, at 10:30 at night we left with a bunch of our friend for St. George to find a really cool cave. After wandering around a dark field for a while, we found our destination and had to jump off ledges and climb through tiny spaces to get into the room of the cave that we wanted, but it was all worth it! After arriving in this room we cut open glow sticks and spread the stuff inside all over the walls and floor of the cave and ourselves. (Just for anyone who was wondering...if that stuff gets in your mouth your lips turn numb for a really long time. Not that I would know or anything.) Anyway...we then played hide n' go seek in the cave which was so fun because everyone looks like a rock! Yeah...it's definitely the coolest thing in Cedar.

Sunday, Alli and I went to church and then I was scheduled to work (I HATE working Sundays), but Alli is amazing and she took part of my shift so that neither of us would have to work a full shift.

Now I'm just trying to study for my huge advanced calc test on Wednesday. We asked our professor what would happen if we failed the test and he responded that none of us would fail. (I'm not sure why he thinks that because we all currently have a C or below in his class.) So yeah...crossing my fingers that I don't fail. If I don't I will definitely write a good, long proof about it later!

My Math World

2008-09-08T21:35:00.002-06:00

For the last few semesters all I have taken is education classes and lots of math. This semester, the only classes I have are upper-division math classes. It is only the third week of school and I'm just about ready to die. Everyday I come out of my Advanced Calculus class wanting to cry and asking myself why I picked this major. That class is HORRIBLE. There are no numbers, just proofs. I have taken classes like that before, but this is a whole new level of hard. I don't understand a word the professor says and I'm so lost that I wouldn't even know how to ask a question. Everyone in the class feels that way, which does give me some comfort. After attempting to do the homework tonight I was asking myself why I put myself through such agony. Then I remembered how much I love math. I love the feeling after I have solved a difficult math problem or finished a long, complicated proof. I love the way math makes me think and the reasoning behind it. I love having nerdy math discussions with my family when we all get together and actually being able to understand and keep up with them. So I guess even though I hate this particular math class and the horrible proofs that come with it, I have to just suck it up and take it because it will be worth it in the end.

Tacos

2008-09-06T13:09:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite meals from home is tacos. Every time I go home, my mom asks me what I want to eat and my first reply is always tacos. My Dad's tacos are honestly the best tacos I have ever had and I wish that I could make them too, but all of my attempts have failed. A few weeks ago, Jose and I tried to make them, but the tortillas were wrong so they just were not the same (and then Jose spilled oil all over our porch haha). Thankfully, I have a roommate who is just as taco-obsessed as I am and I would say we make taco runs at least 3 times a week. We have a "taco jar" that we put our change into so that whenever we crave them we can go get them. We have been known to go to Del Taco at 2am just to get tacos. Yesterday, we got tacos on our break at Lin's and it made the whole day better. Tacos are therapeutic food. So if you are ever having a bad day, just remember to turn to the tacos...they will make everything better!

2008-09-02T00:34:00.002-06:00

This weekend at work was not a good one. Working as a checker in a grocery store you learn to deal with lots of people. However, after messing up more in two days than in the other four months I have worked there combined and dealing with the guy who was so high on drugs that he literally couldn't move, and of course there is always national if you don't speak English, go through Karen's line day (I was yelled at in THREE languages), dealing with people can get a little old. This was also not a good weekend in other respects which we won't even go into right now.

So, this morning Jose and I had a "homework party" aka Karen gets mad about her math and Jose gets mad about his useless assignments, and after the homework party was over we decided we needed something to cheer us up before we both had to go to work. We decided to learn the dance Bleeding Love from SYTYCD. (For those of you that didn't watch SYTYCD, bleeding love along with many other dances from the season must be watched...go to youtube, you won't be sorry). Anyway, we learned the whole dance and after getting it down and doing it together several times we both went to work in very good moods. The next dance we are learning is No Air, and I'm way excited!! It's so fun to make a fool out of myself with my best friend!

On another happy note...Alli came back from Sandy today, so now I have my roomie and other best friend back in Cedar with me. Yay for my two best friends!!

and so it begins

2008-09-01T11:46:00.003-06:00

I am so excited because tryouts for ballroom are on Thursday! After taking the summer off of dance I'm dying to dance again. The beginning of ballroom also means the beginning of endless practices, late nights making posters, phone calls from Mark Baker at all hours of the night, living in the EB, having disgusting dancer feet, and basically my life being taken over by the ballroom dance company. And yet, even with all of this, I absolutely love it and cannot wait for it to start. Because I have been dancing since I was five, it is kind of a part of me. I don't do well in other things when I'm not dancing. Dance (of any kind) keeps me going and motivated. If I had to only go to school and work and not dance at all I don't know how I would survive. I'm SO SO excited to dance again!!!

Pet Peeves

2008-08-28T17:18:00.002-06:00

My biggest pet peeve EVER is when people say times when they should say multiply. I know that's weird, but it's really true!! Now, I'm horrible at English and I know that I use improper grammar constantly, but how hard is it to say multiply?? Come on people!! Today in my math class people were putting their homework problems on the board and they kept saying and then you times it by 3. Keep in mind this is a 4000 level math class so these people are math MAJORS. I think what pushed me over the edge though was when my professor said it at least 4 times in class today...."and then you just times it by 2." Well, no. You don't! You can multiply something by 2, or you can do 2 times 2...but we don't times things. You would think that someone who has their phd in math would know that by now...but no...we have to sound like second graders who are still learning what multiplication is. I don't mind as much when non-math people say it, but my professor should know better. Anyway...speaking of math I need to go do the hours of math that I have ahead of me tonight...I hope I get to MULTIPLY lots of things!

Breaking and Entering is a Felony

2008-08-26T18:43:00.002-06:00

So...I know that breaking and entering is a felony, but is it ok if it is to give your best friend his birthday present??

I think yes! That's probably because I did it today. Tomorrow is my best friend's birthday and he is sad because he has to go to class and then work. I don't blame him...who wants to do that on their birthday? In order to cheer him up and give him the happy birthday that he deserves, Alli and I decided to go to his apartment while he was at work today and decorate his bedroom. After making a trip to Walmart (we didn't see any polys this time!) we went over to Jose's apartment. We knocked and knocked and none of his roommates were home so Alli whipped out her credit card. I just want to make it known that if I was ever going to rob a bank it would be with Alli. Anyway...after a few seconds she had unlocked the door and we were in. It was exhilerating!! Then we went into Jose's room and blew up tons of balloons (ok, ok...Alli did a lot of them...I struggle to blow balloons up and we both got light-headed). We hung up a cars happy birthday banner and put his presents on his bed. We locked the door on our way out so his roommates will never suspect a thing! haha We are so tricky!!

I love that I have a friend who will break into an apartment with me just to blow up balloons and decorate someone's room. Thanks Alli cat!

I Complete the Square

2008-08-25T00:01:00.002-06:00

So, after reading the blogs of my friends and family I decided it was time to start one of my own. I have no idea when I will have time to update it because I have school, work, and ballroom, but knowing me, this will be a good distraction in between the hours of math homework I will have this semester. Probably the only person that will read this blog is Alli...but that's ok because now we can keep track of each other (not that we live together or anything). Anyway...I would like to officially welcome myself to the blogging world that I never thought I would join!