"we live in a beautiful world, 

            yeah we do

            yeah we do"

(Thanks Coldplay. and iphone.)

all hallow's eve

I love that Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, giving us Utahns a chance to celebrate all weekend long.

My roommates and I hosted a murder mystery dinner on Friday, complete with costumes, delicious food and a mysterious atmosphere of candles and (unimpressive) dry ice. The scene: college friends coming together on a remote Canadian island for a reunion...and a murder. (dun dun dun)

 

The roommates before the party--we look like we belong on the Babysitter's Club.

Lauren was a movie star, Justine was a neurosurgeon and Jessica was a grandma.

Andre was a businessman on vacation and I was a soccer mom. would this be a good time to mention I was also the murderer? yeah, shocker.

The entire group with a faulty self timer.

We moved the kitchen table to the living room and the couch to the kitchen, so the boys had to move it back when we were done. Somehow I ended up being taken on my chariot of a couch.

 

 We went costume bowling Saturday night with a super fun/random group of people.
I bowled a (respectable) 107.

Here are the roomies again in costume #2. Justine is a cupcake, I am a Native American (let's be politically correct, people), Jessica is a baby and Lauren is Minnie Mouse.

 When roommates and Sammamish friends collide

All in all, a lovely year for celebrations.

I love Halloween!

lately...

here are the going-ons of the last month or so, as told from my iphone.

loving fall

"loving" provo

loving life

 the roommates and I decided to spend a lovely Sunday afternoon reading on the temple grounds. Little did we know that the entire MTC was allowed to do the same thing. We left as herds of missionaries walked over.

 kylie fit in small spaces.

 the apartment fair fish, Seattle, lasted longer than the 12 hours I had predicted (2.5 whole days!) but then died a sad death.

 warm fall hit, so I studied outside. also, flashcards took over my semester.

 we found an awesome sink, but no Africa-shaped toilets at the Malawi pizza place.

 General Conference was lovely. so was looking at the temple.

 Cameron and Cynthia shared a moment.

One Saturday morning brought a hot air balloon cruising super low over Provo. I waved. the man waved back.

math

 

football +

  

cougar blue friends +

 

j dawgs

= a winning combination

(unlike the cougars, who are not a winning combination)

but seriously kids, let's keep up this tradition.

it's autumntime

Welcome fall

Here's to cardigans, pumpkin shakes, cool breezes, falling leaves, canyon drives, football afternoons, studying on the crisp grass, new tennis shoes, scarves, cinammon rolls, carmel apple cider, midterms and the feeling that something new is right around the corner.

There's just something about autumn that I love. A lot of things, actually. But the feelings of excitement, of new things, that feeling that even though all these new things are starting and things are changing, you can still conquer the world.

So, hello fall. I'm so very glad you're here. Here's to hoping my last official collegiate fall is my best one yet.

(oh, and lots of excitement to be going back to my all-time favorite place next month)

going to the fair

Went to the Utah State Fair on Friday.
Granted, it doesn't have a catchy song like the Puyallup Fair, but it was still tons of fun.
My camera is our of batteries, so thank you, dear iphone for capturing the evening.

Of course, the first thing we did we when got there was book it to the pig races. Probably the most awesome thing I've ever seen. Our pig never won, but it sure was fun.

We took lots of fun pictures, ate fried food, tried to cheat at carnival games but still lost, Lauren won an abused fish. It was awesome.
(I swear we have other friends...we just only take pictures of the roommates.  Thank you, sir nicholas for the tickets. it was great)

it's just great

the last few days have been a string of little moments where I've realized how blessed I am. Slightly disconnected, it's like a constant string of happiness weaving a gratitude web around my life. A sampling:

On Friday, I spent two hours with one of the freshman I mentor, planning her winter semester schedule. It was great. It filled the void of not planning my own winter schedule. Plus her wonderful company and heartfelt thanks made it time well spent.

I got to see my new niece for the first time and show her off to everyone I know. She is the cutest small child I have ever seen. Welcome to the world, Amy Catalina. (9lbs, 1 oz...good job, Janice. I'm impressed at your birthing abilities).


Listening to Christmas music all the way to Draper and back. I'm so ready for Christmas.

Getting ready with my wonderful roommates, going to the stake Halloween party and dancing so hard my toga fell off. (not to worry, there were layer underneath)
I woke up early on Saturday to the most beautiful morning and baked while enjoying a peaceful view of Mt. Timp out the kitchen window. The baked goods went to a Guatemala breakfast, so even better.

Studying on the grass outside, freshman-style, to enjoy the beautiful fall afternoon. Way to go out in style, October.

Rocking out to "The Monster Mash" whilst driving to Kylie's house for Halloween movies. I have the best roommates.

And now onto a beautiful Sunday, full of testimony, peace, and President Uchtdorf tonight!

autumnal bliss

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

I love fall.

and this is the best fall we've had since I've been in Utah.
Yesterday, with early church and 80 degree weather, some roommates and I went up to the amphitheater at the mental hospital. quite a popular place to take pictures, but that's because it is so beautiful! thanks kylie for you photog skills

yes, this is my apartment in a nutshellthe cover of our debut indie album

roommate love.

octubre

Happy October!
It's one of my favorite months.

Here's to fall, cardigans, light scarves, no more midterms, changing leaves, drives in the canyon, halloween, orange and black paper chains, pumpkins, boots, football, jumping in leaves, costumes, pie, ingrid, and so much more!