Remodel

Once upon a time I bought a condo. 

Which I loved.

But the kitchen was kind of beat up and old. 

And so my amazing Daddy said he would build me a new one. 

So he did. 

And then he and my Uncle and my brothers packed it up. 

And they and my mom and Tater drove it down to Las Vegas.

In the meantime my Grandpa and I started to tear out the old kitchen. 

Then when my family got here we finished with the tearing out part and started installing. 

A few days later I had a brand new kitchen. 

Well kind of. 

Home Depot screwed up my order and so we didn't have a sink or counter for like a week.

But then I did have a brand new kitchen. 

And it was MAGICAL. 

So for those of you who are interested (Beth), here is the process. 

This is what we were starting with. It looks nicer than it actually was. The counter was totally trashed - it had been cut up. The cabinets were water damaged and peeling. It was struggling. I actually forgot to take a true before picture so this is one from the realtor from when I was buying the house. 

Destroying the kitchen was really kind of a fun process. 

The water shut off under my sink was broken and so to replace the sink we had to first replace the knobs. But to do that we had to shut off the water. Which because I'm in a condo meant that we had to shut off the water to the whole building. Which meant my sister and I had to run to every unit and knock and tell them we were turning off the water for 10 minutes. What a hulabaloo. 

At one point the kitchen was COMPLETELY empty. It felt way bigger then it really is. 

Tater was the BEST kid during the whole process. He helped us whenever he could and sat and kept himself entertained and out of the way the rest of the time. He used my iPhone SO much. I have interactive books on there that I'm pretty sure he read 100 times. Not exaggerating. He is seriously my favorite kid. We are best friends. 

My brother in law and my sister are my favorite. They worked so hard and I cannot say thank you enough to them for all the work they did to help me. 

Hey! It looks like a kitchen again!

My daddy and my favorite Uncle. They are the best! 

My sister and I laying tile. Please ignore our morning/no makeup/out of bed hair look. Also our sweatshirts. It was FREEZING inside because the doors were open all the time while we were going in and out working with different tools. 

All the tile down. 

With some of the doors. 

Grouting. So messy!!!

And... the finished product!

I cannot say thank you enough to my grandpa (especially my grandpa - he was here for two full weeks), my dad, my uncle, my mom, my sister, my brother in law and my Tater for all of the hard work they did to make this remodel possible. I also have to thank Kate for being so extremely patient with me during the crazy process. We also redid my entryway and I got new carpet so it's almost like I got a new house and I am in love with it! I could not be happier with how everything turned out. 

Just in case you don't want to scroll up and down really fast to get the before and after effect... before and after!

not lonely

In case you weren't aware today was Valentine's Day.
The cheesy cards, excessive amounts of chocolate, & oversized stuffed animals in the stores probably gave it away.

Here's the thing. I'm not usually Valentine's biggest fan.

Two years ago I wrote: "I hate Valentine's Day. I think it's a stupid holiday."
Last year I wrote: "I don't really like Valentine's Day all that much."

So it's been a rather odd experience for me this year to not be at all angry, bitter, frustrated or annoyed.
In fact, I've been surprisingly happy all day.

I'm not really sure how to explain this feeling.
Because I'm just as single as I have been for every Valentine's day ever.
I still think that stuffed bears are a terrible idea.
And I've still been missing my someone all day.

But I'm not lonely today.
I don't feel sad.

I feel hopeful for my future, for my someday.
I know I can do more, be more but everyday I am trying to be just a little bit better and that's enough.
I feel confident in myself, in the things that I am doing with my life.
I am happy with the girl I see in the mirror.
For the first time in a long time I think I can say that I am in a good place personally. I think I will be able to open myself up if the opportunity comes my way.

So all day I was just happy with the little bits of lovey dovey everywhere.


It probably didn't hurt that I bought myself a bunch of yellow flowers.

World Tour

This has become one of the most common things in my life. Every day I commute on the freeway to and from school. And every day it includes break lights and traffic jams. Bad drivers make me so angry and this commute has become a source of stress and frustration. 

Remember last year when I decided to do something about my dislike for winter? I went bobsledding and skiing and realized that while I could not control the weather I could control my attitude about it. 

I decided that was what needed to happen now. Obviously I can't stop driving as school is in the middle of town and I don't live anywhere close. And obviously I can't ask other people to stop driving because they all have places to be and things to do. And getting me to drive to school at 6:00 in the morning to avoid traffic is completely unrealistic. Like it or not, I can't control the traffic any better than I can control the weather. But I can control my attitude about it.  

And I realized that I could focus on other things during my drive. 

What I discovered? Well. I'm pretty much the luckiest girl in the entire world because my commute to school is basically like going on a world tour every. single. day. Let's be honest here.

I take a quick drive by Seattle.

Circle past Brazil.

I stop by Rome and hang out with my Augustus relatives for a minute while waiting for the green light. 

I wave at the Eiffel Tower.

There time to stay but I can squint and see the good old Hollywood sign. 

I stop by Italy again just for a minute, this time in Tuscany, because I just can't resist art and food.

And right before I get to school I stop across from Hofbrauhaus and pretend I'm in Germany. 

Then on my home I stop by Hard Rock. 

Then I drive past the Great Pyramid.

And I stop by Mandalay Bay and am on a beach in Australia. 

I can even go places that only exist in my imagination like the Emerald City (Wizard of Oz).

And Treasure Island!

Last, I stop and see the New York skyline.

Isn't that amazing?
Really, let's consider - that's five continents [plus some imaginary places].
In a matter of hours.

And I'm actually just in fabulous Las Vegas the whole time.

So that's my plan for the next two years. Change my attitude about my commute to recognize that there is an adventure to be had, that there are sights to appreciate. Take time to SLOW DOWN. If I get home 10 minutes later, then I get home 10 minutes later. The end. I don't need to get stressed by traffic jams and bad drivers. Because while I can't control that, I can control my attitude about it.

I'm sure there will be a few days that I still yell and scream politely ask drivers to get out of the way but I hope that overall, I will be a lot more chill, a lot more cheerful when I get off the roads. 

P.S. While I love my little world tour, my very favorite part of my commute was this billboard which has recently been removed. It was like my own personal reminder everyday about what was important, what I needed to be focusing on. My commute is an excellent time for me to just sit and chat with my Heavenly Father. 30 minutes or more, uninterrupted time just to express my gratitude for the many blessings I have and to ask for help figuring out the things that are complicated in my life. I'm grateful that billboard gave me that little nudge and helped me start to develop what I hope will become a treasured habit and routine. 

*Please excuse the quality of the photos. They were all taken with my iPhone. When I was stopped, mom.

Things of Note

I didn't have a single post for the entire month of December.

I've been missing this time even longer than my absence in the fall. 

I'm embarrassed. But I'm also ready to bring this blog back to life. 

2012 is going to be a good year. 

So here are some things of note about the last few months: 

[WARNING: long post. of mostly pointless and unrelated thoughts. sorry.] 

Paintball = Awesome. Megan and Derek came to Las Vegas and we watched the National Championships. It was super fun to spend the day with them and it really was amazing to watch. We played over Christmas with a course we setup in our arena. I'm terrible really. I try to look out so I can see where to shoot and I get hit in the face mask. I'm working on that. 

I love grilling. Love it. And I love that my parents have a nice grill so I could use it over break. Delicious. 

My mom is in Florida right now. Well actually she's probably somewhere on the ocean. She's on a cruise. JEALOUSY! 

There was NO SNOW at home! What the heck?! It snowed for a couple hours on my last day but it's been crazy dry. Our ski resort isn't even open! Sad sad day! 

Oklahoma. Hugh Jackman. London. I don't need to say anything else. "Oh what a beautiful mornin'..."

Football is a joy of my life. Aubrey and Riki came down and we watched BSU play UNLV. It was way closer than it should've been but we had a fantastic time. I love watching football. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.  Other examples of why I love football: the BYU bowl game. Oh my goodness. Down to the wire. And then success!!!!! Or the Denver Broncos game last weekend. I totally love Tim Tebow for being open about his beliefs anyway and then they went and made such an exciting game out of it. First off overtime is always exciting. But ending it in 11 seconds? That was yelling at the TV kind of awesome. Plus I was watching with my Dad. Which is my favorite way to watch a game.  

I had to work my butt off during the second half of the semester due to my lack of focus during the beginning but my hard work paid off and I got a 4.0!!!!! WOOHOO! That was a dancing around, yelling moment. And I think I only brought it up with my Dad like 30 times over the next few weeks. I worked so hard to study for my finals and be prepared and it paid off. Best feeling. I love knowing what I know now. I watch TV and I diagnosis people. It's fantastic. Also, I'm excited for the new semester. Some of it will be boring as always but it will be one step closer to graduation and at the end of it I will get to start seeing clients!! And I'm taking a weight lifting class which promises to be fantastic. 

On the note of exercise. I am embarrassed to report that I gained 10 pounds at the beginning of last semester. For a girl who has been losing for the past few years that was hard to swallow. I stepped on the scale and cried because I saw a number I swore I never would again. But. Never fear. I have a plan. This plan has multiple goals, deadlines and specific rewards. It is realistic and will help me get my lifestyle back on track and in doing so will help me get my body to where I want to be. Updates will come. 

I don't really understand the appeal of Xbox. My dad got one for my brothers for Christmas and I just don't get it. Like Call of Duty. I don't understand at all. However, I like the Wii. A target practice game. Sure! Racing cows? Okay! Mario Kart with Tater. You bet. And his attention span matches mine. It's perfect. 

Hugo is a magical movie. Magical. I loved every second of it. And even more than that I loved the afternoon out with my brothers. 

The best part of my Christmas this year was getting to be an angel in a live Nativity production done by my Stake. I was up on the roof - harnessed in which was so cool. I made some awesome friends and it really helped me focus on the reason for Christmas and the simplicity of the Savior's birth. It is probably the greatest thing that ever happened. I have a picture in my costume but didn't bother to upload it. Imagine a giant white dress. That's it. 

My brothers are the coolest. And I miss them SO much. I got to spend tons of time with them over the break and I was not ready to say goodbye. They are so nice to me and are growing up to be such good kids. They are getting so tall though. I am officially the shortest sibling.

I had a lack of gallbladder attack over break. Death in bed for two days. UGH. And it happened right after I made a batch of peanut brittle. BAD TIMING!

I am addicted to the radio. My stations at home are my favorite thing. I could drive all day as long as I have good country to listen to.

I am also addicted to Fruit Ninja on my iPhone. My high score on Arcade mode is 741. I play far too often.

New Years Eve was super fun. And by this I mean the movie New Years Eve. We went out for a girls night to see it. It was a fun upbeat chick flick and I loved it. Why? Well because it all ends happily ever after just as a good chick flick should (except for Zac Efron kissing Michelle Pfeiffer. EWW.) But also because there was a fantastic line that made me so excited for the New Year and for new resolutions. New chances. New mistakes. New successes.

"It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps - our promises made, and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures - or closed ourselves down, for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what New Year's is all about: getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about 'what if' and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight - and it will drop - let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."

I also loved the real New Years Eve. I was not looking forward to going to the singles activity but I actually ended up having such a fun night. All the boys I used to hang out with in high school are home from their missions and so we all had a blast together. I haven't danced in the new year since high school and I'd forgotten how much I loved it.

Biscoff cookies are the BEST part of flying Delta. They are my favorite, favorite, favorite.

Missionary emails make my day. I miss them so much but it is so amazing to hear how good they are doing!

I am still completely obsessed with pigs. My trip home took me through Cedar City [long story involving new tires and Les Schwab and Provo and a warranty] so one of the things I did with Megan and Derek was go out to Derek's family's house to meet his brother's pig Mojo. I was SO happy to see him and pet him. I love pigs. ADORE them really. So I couldn't have been happier. Family and sister and pig. And later that night - frozen yogurt and Friends. What a wonderful night.

The best thing that has happened to me though happened just this evening. I found out that I GOT A JOB!!!!!! I will be working as a graduate assistant for UNLV's Office of International Students and Scholars. I will be doing advising and managing paperwork and forms for the students who are here internationally. There are several reasons this is FANTASTIC. 1. It's on campus. So it's convenient to my priority which is school. 2. It's an advising position so it will look good as I apply for internships and future jobs in my therapy field. 3. Best of all - it will pay all my tuition AND a $1250 stipend/month. I really love working. I worked all through my undergrad and I am better at time management when I am busy.  I couldn't be happier. This will be such a blessing!

So that's my things of note in the last few months. I am sorry for disappearing. I have like 5 posts written in my head so I anticipate keeping up better now. 

Makes me wanna....

I have previously blogged about my love of back roads and Rodney Atkins song "Take a Back Road."

However.

I don't think I ever really appreciated the joy of back roads until I experienced a daily commute through the downtown of a major city. [yes. I take pictures with my phone when I'm driving when I'm at a dead stop. sue me.]

Let me tell you about my daily drive. There are 50 stoplights. A billion taxi cab drivers. Rude people who cut me off because I have out of state plates and they think I don't know where I'm going/will go slowly and get in their way. There are actual out of state drivers who really do have no idea where they are going. There are idiots on cell phones. There are disgusting billboards. There are smokers. There are semi trucks. There are multi car wrecks.

"Sitting in six lane backed up traffic, horns a honkin', I've about had it..." takes on a whole new meaning when it becomes a daily expectation.

I really do depend on my country music to get through it and it makes me want to take a back road so badly. Empty roads with no one but me on them. Driving with my windows down without having to worry about someone judging me for rocking out to my music or worrying about having to breathe in smoke from someone else.

But guess where I'm headed? HOME! I'm sitting in the airport just waiting for my flight home for Thanksgiving and you had better believe that part of my week will be a drive all to myself in the middle of nowhere.

Missing

Sorry I've been missing for basically the last two months. I really feel terribly about it.

Basically here's the Sparknotes version of what went down:

Moved to Las Vegas
Started Classes.
Met Boy.
Went on First Date.
Went on Second Date.
Started Dating.
Dated.
Dated. [and by dated I mean I was wined and dined. This boy spoiled me.]
Dated.
Had a birthday.
Did just barely enough homework.
Went to the gym like once.
Didn't really get enough sleep.
Dated.
Dated.
Dated.


And then we broke up.
Well, to be accurate, I broke up with him.


And then I started to put my life back together:

Called Home.
Slept.
Prayed.
Cried.
Slept.
Went to the Gym.
Did Homework.
Called Friends.
Prayed.
Slept.
Did Homework.
Baked.
Baked.
Slept.
Prayed.
Did Homework.

And now I am finally getting to the point that I'm ready to start writing again.


My head and my heart still hurt a little bit but I am sure this was the right decision for me right now.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: The details are journaled elsewhere. Much as I love being able to share my life and adventures and thoughts, there are some things that are mine and mine only. Plus. I have nothing bad to say about this boy and wouldn't want something to be misunderstood by someone stumbling across this blog.

But one thought I will share:

Remember when I wrote about making a cake? [If not you should go read it]
I've been thinking about it a lot lately... when I wrote that post I asked myself a question:

"And why settle for a teaspoon of sugar by itself when you can have Magelby's?"

I think that sums up what the past few months were. It was sugar, very sweet to be sure. But it wasn't the whole thing. I don't know if I just don't have all the ingredients I need yet or if I need more practice or if the oven simply wasn't ready at the right temperature at the right time but I knew that this was not going to be the Magelby's cake I want. 

So for now I'm back to basics. Scriptures, prayer, homework, the gym. And it will all work out in the end. 

P.S. Important thanks to be given:
My family. They are simply wonderful for always taking my calls and listening to me cry and always being patient enough to help me figure out my thoughts on my own instead of telling me what I should already know.
My friends. I am so lucky to have people in my life who know me well enough to know my goals and plans and the things that are most important to me. And I'm even luckier to have those people be willing to bluntly tell me when I'm not being true to myself.
My roommates. In case you didn't know I thrive on hugs. And there aren't a ton of people down here to give me hugs right now. I'm so lucky to have roommates who will give me a hug, a smile, and listen patiently. Even better, they give encouraging words and are cheerfully helping me figure out my day to day. Seriously, tender mercies in my life and I am SO grateful to have them.

twenty two

[This is a little delayed. I apologize. I feel like my whole life has been a little delayed as of late. Like when I slept for 12 hours, until 11:15 on Wednesday. Working on taking care of me, my body again. Hopefully I'll be back regularly soon.]

Last year on my birthday I wrote:

"I love new beginnings and a birthday is a perfect time to refocus and readjust. I'm setting goals for this year and making plans. I'm literally heading off into a great, new adventure this year. I have NO idea where I will be next year for my birthday."

Well... Now we know! I'm here in Las Vegas. Probably the last place I would've ever guessed to be. And it has been a great, new adventure. But I am very happy and glad to be here for right now.

But before I tell you about my birthday... twenty one things of note from while I was twenty one.

completing the recapturing beauty challenge
traveling to NYC & Princeton
harry potter #7 parts 1 & 2
being on the history channel
interviewing for grad school in Rochester, Nebraska and Las Vegas
going to byu basketball games during the time of jimmer
bobsledding
accepting an offer to attend grad school at UNLV
surviving senioritis
graduating from Brigham Young University
going to Arches with my friends
sending two of my best friends off on missions and majorly missing other ones
spending my [probably last] summer at home
paying off my car
getting a brother-in-law
purchasing a condo [aka getting a mortgage]
moving to Las Vegas
starting grad school
family vacation to lake powell
meeting a boy
he is we, andy grammar, maroon 5, blink 182 concerts

That really ended up being a lot. I'm actually kinda amazed by how full this year was! I felt like this was a really hard year for me in a lot of ways but I think because of that it was really rewarding too. I suppose you can't have the good without the bad, and things don't come without work. I was looking back at my goals from last year on my birthday and I really did pretty well. I achieved a lot of them and I made progress toward the ones I didn't reach. I am really pleased with last year and I hope this coming year can be even better!

So on Sunday I turned twenty two. As usual, my feelings were pretty ambivalent. In some ways, I feel old.  I'm a grad student. That sounds like I'm a grown up and know what is going on in my life and stuff. But let's be honest. I totally don't. I expected to be married or on a mission right now. Las Vegas is probably the last place I would've guessed I would be.  But I also feel really young. Around here, twenty two is still pretty little. All day people asked how old and their response to my answer was always oh you're so young! enjoy it!

My birthday itself was so fun. We went out on Saturday night to Famous Dave's [BBQ] and to Revolver in the Santa Fe for country dancing. I had so much fun dancing. Country music is my happy place. Sunday was pretty chill. But I had a lovely dinner with S and his family & we went on a drive later. It was a happy birthday for sure.

It's been especially fun because I've been getting mail for my birthday for like a week. I got a card from my grandpa last week and today I got something from Eva [who is in Korea]. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE snail mail so it's been fun to have so many surprises in my mailbox. :]

Anyways, I've made new goals, new plans. Hopefully twenty two will be as good as twenty one, because it's been an amazing year!

where did september go?

Did you know that today is the last day of September? And that tomorrow will be October?

You did? It's just me who can't quite figure out where September went? Oh.

Something happened I'm sure. Let's see...

I went to Cedar City and Provo for Labor Day weekend.
[Have I mentioned that I love road trips? I do. And sunset was the perfect time. Goodbye Vegas, hello hugs! I was so hug deprived before getting to Provo!]

I got a second roommate.

I went to lots of church activities.
[FHE, institute, CES firesides, Relief Society.  The best one of all is coming up this weekend... General Conference - you can find out more here if you are interested!]

I watched football
     [& cried over the BYU v. Utah game.]

I went to an Italian Festival.

I went on a date to a Maroon 5 concert.

I donated blood.

I got dressed up and had dinner at one of the fanciest restaurants I've ever eaten at.

I went to Lake Powell with my family.

I got a paper accepted to the Strengthening the Family Symposium to be held in Provo on October 28 and 29 and found out I get to present at the conference.
[I would LOVE it if you could come and attend my presentation. Friends and family there would mean everything to me. If you would be interested you can click here to register to attend. I'll be presenting at 11:00 on Saturday, October 29.  Email or text me and I'll give you a promo code to make it cheaper.]

I spent hours on the road commuting and trying to get used to this city girl thing. [not working super well. Remember how I'm from the country and I like it that way? ]

I fell in love with cactus. 

[UNLV's grounds may not be BYU but I really like them.]

Oh, and I attempted to settle into grad school [which is apparently going great since I'm procrastinating a paper right this very second].

So, yeah I guess life has been a bit busy. That's where September went. Sorry that I went MIA for so long. I pinky promise to do better. I promise I'm not dead. :]


I've also been just a little bit preoccupied because there's this boy... 
But I'm not quite ready to tell the internet about that yet. :]