A Hobby of Mine...

Plants! I love plants of all sorts, indoors or outdoors, I don't care where they're at, I love them all. I have quite a collection of house plants in my room, they make me feel so happy! Our backyard is probably my favorite place on Earth, I love all of the different plants that are growing out there! There's nothing better than being outdoors surrounded by plants, trees, flowers, grass, I don't care, any foliage is fantastic!

I Pod Shuffle...

1-In My Head by Mayday Parade
2-Half of My Heart by John Mayer
3-Catalyst by New Found Glory
4-Never Alone by Jim Brickman and Lady Antebellum
5-Break Me Out by The Rescues
6-Jack Sparrow by The Lonely Island with Michael Boulton
7-#1 by Nelly
8-Honkeytonk U by Toby Keith
9-Twisted by Carrie Underwood
10-Never Say Never by Justin Beiber and Jaden Smith

Can I please say how much I LOVE that Never Say Never happened to make it onto the list. Yes. I look soooo cool right now.

A Habit I Wish I Didn't Have...

COUNTING!!
I count absolutely everything! Sometimes it can be almost handy, it helps me remember things at times, but for the most part it is incredibly annoying. In high school they diagnosed it as OCD, I don't know how I feel about that diagnosis, but whatever causes it, it's semi exhausting!! My love of odd numbers and my disdain of even numbers really comes into play here because I spend a lot of my time trying to figure out how to make groups of things have an odd number of items in them. Truly though, I think I'd be just fine without this little habit...

A Photo Of My Family...

We're not a big photo family, we never have been. I think I remember one time growing up when we had a real, professional family picture taken. So this is as good as it gets :)

The Next Three Items on my Bucket List...

1) Go skydiving!
     I have been seriously talking about doing this one for the past year and half at least and yet I haven't quite done it yet...I should just do it already!

2) Get my college degree!
     I put this one as one of my next three because I was functioning under the "get it in, get it done" concept and then I went back to school a couple of weeks ago and I'm really enjoying myself. I've got myself to submit to the idea that I'm going to have to get a masters if I keep going with International Studies as my major. I think it might be worth it...just as well I didn't specify which degree I was going to get. Phewf.

3) Learn to play the guitar!
    I was dedicated to this one for a good solid two weeks earlier this year, I lugged that thing from LA to Phoenix and everywhere in between. I spent hours strumming it (much to my Dad's dismay I'm sure)...I had even gotten calluses on my fingers! (The true sign of a legit guitar player) Then I let myself get distracted. I'm re-dedicating myself starting tomorrow. Just as well my cousin was playing it the other day so it's already tuned.

My Dream House...

My dream house is the one that the Braverman's own on Parenthood. I LOVE IT.

I love everything about this house. I love the yard, it's wooded but not too overcrowded, plus they have the lights strung from the trees (which I adore) and an awesome outdoor table that's BIG. The interior is rustic, but modern enough to not seem old and dank. I truly can't describe it nearly well enough to do this house justice. You should probably just watch Parenthood on NBC Tuesday nights at 9 pm. (I should probably get a kickback for that awesome plug.)

I Suck At Counting...

...so I'm not going to anymore. No more counting days. So, for today's post it's all about what I did today! I slept in this morning until 6:40 am, then I got up got ready and headed out the door for school. At school I ran into an awkward acquaintance, got chased down and asked for my number by a sort of weird boy, I got told that my hair looked "tamer" today than usual and got picked out of one of my classes to read a paper in a "valley girl" voice because I'm the only blond. I love SLCC. At work I felt kind of sick, but luckily that went away because it was a typical Monday busy, busy! Then I went to the gym, looking and feeling pretty sick, which worked out fabulously because it turns out that it was a high school reunion of all the boys I've ever known ever. Yes. Good old Mondays.

Day Thirteen...

A favorite quote.

"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temple; my philosopy kindness." Dalai Lama

Day Twelve...

Favorite books.

There are far too many to count! Walden by Henry David Thoreau is definitely at the top of the list, along with The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and anything by the Dalai Lama. I love Gabrielle Bernstein and her take on modern day spirituality, her book Add More -ing To Your Life is one of my favorites and her new book Spirit Junkie comes out on Tuesday (yes, I will be buying that very day). I love historical fiction, The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George, The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick and the follow up book The Scarlet Lion were both great, as were The Heretic Queen, Nefertiti: A Novel and Cleopatra's Daughter all by Michelle Moran, I love them all.

Day Eleven...

My favorite food.

CHOCOLATE.

Anything chocolate. Pure chocolate is best, but I'm an equal opportunity chocoholic. Chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, double chocolate cookies, chocolate creamer in coffee...you name it, I love it.

Day Ten...

A favorite movie. (Seriously, these "favorites" days make my head hurt. I can't narrow it down.) I'm always a big fan of Ocean's 11. I love High Society with Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. I love How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days, it's my favorite chick flick ever. The Bourne trilogy always keep my attention. Harry Potter marathons always make me smile and return to my youth... Cinderella (the one with Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg and Jason Alexander) is one that I have memorized word for word, and that my sister and I love singing as loud as we can to. The Departed is always on the list. The Hangover is a classic that I would feel like a bad person for not including here....I really have only discovered the love of watching movies the past couple of years, so my list probably isn't as long as some others may be...

Day Nine...

A favorite song.

How about a couple favorite songs?

Ok, sure.

It is one of the most talked about topics in my life, how Shakira is unnaturally favored by God because she got this unbelievable trifecta of amazing looks, wicked hips and an other worldly voice-all jealousy aside though, Gypsy is hands down one of my favorite songs. The words literally explain what's going on in my head all of the time. Love. There will always be a special little corner of my heart reserved for Peace of Mind by Boston, that song never ever gets old. Sound of Sunshine by Michael Franti is an all time fan favorite in my world. Anything Bob Marley makes me feel that every little thing is gonna be alright. No one makes me want to shake it to a country song like Luke Bryan does. Donovan Frankenreiter is quickly climbing the list to my all time favorites along with newcomer Trevor Hall.

Pretty much music makes my world turn and there are far too many options to list here.

Day Seven....

Something I want to buy.
Books! Always books. Especially now, I've told myself that I have to start taking advantage of the library-because I'm saving myself money that way. But there's something about having my own book that a rented one can't replicate. So I've made myself a deal, if I get the book from the library first and I truly love it (as in, can't live without it) then I'll allow myself to buy it from the book store after I've tried to find it cheaper online.
It's just as well I'm good at bargaining with myself.

I'm Off...

I messed up on counting on my blog titles...I suck.

Day Five...

Something I bought recently...a Mr. Coffee maker.

I'm in love.

Day Four...

10 Pet Peeves

1-Stupid Drivers. Seriously though, I think there should be a mandatory stupidity test that everyone has to pass before they're allowed on the roads. Some people astound me.
2-People With Big LOUD Opinions. We're all entitled to them, however, there's a time and a place and an audience that we should share them with. Not at the I Hop while you're having pancakes.
3-Guys Wearing Girl Pants. Girl pants are made for girls. Guys, you have your very own section to shop in. Use it.
4-Feminists. Men and women are different, anatomically, emotionally and personality wise. We do not need to be 100% equal, that doesn't mean that women should have to play Suzie homemaker, however I enjoy getting my oil changed for discount prices because I'm a lady.
5-Reality TV Stars. They shouldn't be famous. They haven't done anything.
6-News Media. There's so many slants, aiming so many different directions, you're never getting the up and up.
7-The "Hit It And Quit It" Type of Guys. They give all other guys a bad name and they're just jerks.
8-College Degree Required. I hate that I have to go to years of school and pay a small fortune just to be considered for jobs. I like the apprenticeship idea. Let's go back to that.
9-Semi Haters. Seriously, lay off the big guys. They can't gain the speed as quickly as us little guys can. They have blind spots. We know these things, so don't get so upset and be dumb around them!! They're hauling 80,000 pounds of stuff, so no, they can't stop as fast as you when you zip in front of them.
10-"Album Only" Songs on Itunes. Really, you can't just let us buy the damn song?!

Day Four...

Something I crave...

VaRieTY!!

I cannot begin to describe how it goes in my head, but it's a constant search for new adventures, thoughts, people, ideas, places, anything.

Nothing is worse than the mundane.

No one should live it a "going through the motions" life.

That's not living.

Experience your life.

Day Three...

Favorite Picture

Ok, so it's definitely my favorite picture for now. My favorite picture is changing all of the time. But seriously, who wouldn't want to shimmy at this shin dig?!



Day Two...

Changes Within A Year

As I was looking through pictures from last year, I found this one that was posted almost to the day a year ago. It seems fitting that two of my bff's are in the picture with me and so is Brynleigh, Lindsay and Justin's beautiful baby. These guys have been a huge part of my last year and so it was also fitting that I found this super cute picture for this year...

(Too bad Jade's not in it too.)

First of all, for changes in a year just look at Bryn now! So big! Haha as far as changes for me go, here it is.

This time last year I had just moved home from St. George. Now I'm happily living in Bountiful.

Then I was all mixed up trying to create a plan because I didn't want to go on a mission anymore. Now I don't affiliate with any church (a year gives you lots of time to think and ponder).

Then I was debating school and decided not to go. Now I'm enrolled full time.

Then I was working at Zions Bank in peak time. Now I'm working at Zions bank at the Centerville branch.

Then I had two dogs. Now I have two dogs and a cat.

Then I had lots of friends. Now I have a few very close friends.

Then I was addicted to Gossip Girl. Now I'm addicted to Parenthood.

Then my siblings and I liked each other. Now we're best friends.

 

Mostly what I think of as I look back on this last year is how much I've grown as a person. I'm more confident in my skin that I've ever been before. I've asked more questions this year, and looked to myself more for the answers than I ever have, and it's led me in directions that I never would have dreamed, but it feels like it's exactly where I'm supposed to be. I've actively tried to become more balanced and more in tune with my spirit. It's been a totally personal, completely transforming year and I wouldn't change a thing!