lately...

 

we have been busy sending wedding announcements to the president, 

getting our first wedding present, 

celebrating with balloons and fireworks and parades, 

plus swimming, 

getting crazy sunburns, 

cheap movies, 

shaved ice, 

marriage prep,

picnics

and work-work-working

yay summer!

hobby shopper

Although I started a full-time job this week (I have a retirement plan. what?) I am finding I had a lot more free time than when I was in school. Therefore, I am currently shopping for new hobbies. I've tried lots of things, even going so far as wandering the aisles of Hobby Lobby for some inspiration (hobby is in the name of the store and I came away with nothing.

currently my free-time activities include the following:
cooking real meals
wedding planning
shopping but not buying
reading Nancy Drew books
pinterest

Any suggestions of things I can add to this (somewhat pathetic) list? please and thank you.

wedding planning..the good, the bad and the ugly

Wedding planning in is full swing. Some days are better than others.

Good
I have a beautiful wedding dress that will be ready for pickup on Wednesday!! I just love it so much and am having a hard time keeping it a surprise from Andre
Our announcements are in the works and look lovely so far
We have a married people place to live and are slowly accumulating things
Registering is the best thing ever. Like shopping for free!
Temple is scheduled! (this really should be number one)
Honeymoon planning is going strong and I just get so excited for everything!
After a long, stressful evening of wedding plans, the fiance surprises with a visit to where we first held hands nearly four years ago and we can just chat and stargaze and not think about finding matching shades of navy for everything. that's when things are the best

Bad
still don't know where the reception will be held, thanks to some difficulty working with our top choice location
working, looking for a real job and trying to plan a wedding on a budget is stressful
the aforementioned furniture we are collecting has taken residence in my bedroom, meaning now there is a big desk in pieces in my corner

Ugly
sometimes people have ugly weddings. sometimes I look at ugly weddings as comfort that no matter how things turn out, they will never be that bad. I will not do any of these things:

but seriously. Even though planning a wedding is slightly crazy, I have great help (mainly my wonderful mom who is doing so so much, including sewing nearly all the dresses) and a champ of a fiance, so really it will all be right in the end.

88 days people!

separated at birth

the two biggest things to hit BYU lately: 

Jimmer 

Mark Zuckerberg 

 

separated at birth?

minus the chin, I think so.

both wildly successful and famous

both slightly awkward

both have a unique sense of fashion (Jimmer wears uggs and cargo sweats in public, Mark chatted with a senator in front of 10,000 people in a hoodie and jeans)

the only difference--Mark couldn't shoot a three worth beans.

on the honor code...

I forget how much of a bubble Provo is until things like this happen and suddenly the nation attacks and questions the standards I so strongly believe in.

It may seem odd to people that 33,000+ college co-eds actually want to come to a school that restricts their language, dress, curfew, relationships and just about everything else. But these students would be living most of these standards even without the Honor Code. We chose to come to BYU and live the Honor Code.

In nearly four years at BYU, I have had more memorable experiences, learned more, grown more, built stronger relationships and had so much more fun than I would have had at any other university because of the Honor Code, not despite it.  I have seen in my life and the lives of others that living the Honor Code makes people better.

Yes, campus has been in a comatose state for the past 48 hours. Yes, I too am devastated at the loss of a great basketball player. But I am so proud of my school for how they handled the situation and taught the world that honor and commitment is more important than winning championships.

(And I still believe BYU will have a great March)

man...

I'm an adult.
(but I think I'm part of the system)

this week I...
ordered my cap and gown
filed my taxes (correction: got accounting students to file my taxes), and thanks to one internship, now have to pay over $400. thanks.
applied for jobs like there's no tomorrow. like real people jobs where I had to declare what I wanted my salary to be.
took the shuttle from the airport to airport parking with old people. I think they thought I was a sophisticated business woman. Well, I like to think they thought that
Used the bread maker to have dinner ready when I came home from a long day
complained about an aching hip.

how old am I?

but at the same time, part of the job application was done with the Disney Channel in the background. and now High School Musical is blaring through my apartment

reasons february is the best

it is national grapefruit month. shout out to one of my top 3 citruses.

 

 build up to march madness. college basketball in full gear

valentines day and all it brings (hearts, chocolate, parties, dates)

start of spring training

Oscars, which really just means dresses to critique

3 day weekend (thank you america)

my birthday (come on people, obviously this is number 1)

welcome, february! I'm excited for all the festivities you bring.

beginning of the end

this week was my last first week of school ever.
ever.
crazy.
I'm already getting nostalgic to leave BYU. sunday night games nights, the cold walk to campus on the first day of class, meeting up for devotional, all made me sad this week.
It's been a great 4 years.
But this semester will be great, too. Even though I'm done with my major and taking huge intro classes to finish my generals and minor, I'm excited for things.
Highlights:
I started an internship in the Marriott School's external relations office this week which will be awesome.
I'm still working at the Bradley Agency. One of my projects this semester is to be the account executive for Project Hope, a health initiative taking place in Dallas the weeks before the Superbowl. Yep, that means I get to be working media relations prior to the Superbowl. awesome.
oh, and I'm taking a flexibility class that sounds very promising.

So even though this semester will and bittersweet, I'm excited for what the future will bring.

is this growing up?

Today I applied for graduation, ate balanced meals, planned an itinerary for a visiting big-whig and took professional headshots.
When did I get so old?

oh, hello there...

5 reasons I have been m.i.a. from the blog world:
1. my computer got really slow
2. then it wouldn't connect to the internet
3. so I had to buy a new one
4. I've spent the last day playing with my new MacBook Pro and not blogging
5. school/work/life is crazy

6 reasons my life is awesome:
1. Cereal sale at Maceys
2. Lauren and I just bought a dinosaur pinata for the PRSSA fiesta tomorrow
3. new macbook, duh
4. came home to cinammon rolls on the counter. ate them. they were delicious. an hour later I get a text from the roommates saying the cinnamon rolls are for us. but we already ate them and they were good
5. 4 apostles in 3 days, plus Sister Beck
6. we got a new fondue pot and had our inaugural fondue fest on Sunday. It was a smashing success.

5 things to look forward to:
1. Fiesta tomorrow (the pinata, people!)
2. PRSSA National Conference in DC next month (booked plane tickets and hotel last week--so excited!)
3. Farmers Market Saturday
4. Fair on Friday!
5. Parents coming for General Conference

3 fashion statements that should never be made:
1. Camelback backpacks on campus (do you really get that dehydrated walking between classes that you can't whip out a water bottle like the rest of us?)
2. Baggy overalls and polo shirts (it's not 1997, people)
3. Lady Gaga's meat dress

little letters

dear contacts,
I think I was expecting a more exciting relevation when I (finally) put you on my eyeballs today. Trying for 10 minutes, then finally getting them in and having to ask the optometrist if they even had a prescription wasn't nearly as exciting as I imagined, but I'm still super glad to have you.

new Sammamish library,
true, your parking situation is less than ideal, but I think we could have a good relationship. I look forward to seeing more of you this summer.

dear yoga,
I'm dedicated to you this summer, for real this time. The time I've spent with you this week has been lovely. Let's make this a regular thing

my poor phone,
try to hold on just a little bit more. I'm loving your effort, but not your broken screen. please hold on until I decide on an order your replacement (an iphone, perhaps?)

to mom's 4runner,
ok, so I haven't had to drive you this week, but I have been. Sometimes I feel like a soccer mom, but most of the time I just love it. and today, with the window down, a costco berrie smoothie and the glee soundtrack, was a great welcome to summer. thanks for that.

Grandma B,
I'm not going to lie--this weekend wasn't very fun. It was emotionally and physically taxing. But it was good to have the whole family together and I'm glad I got to see you one last time. You sure are loved.

I could be a philosopher...

I had a revelation whilst studying for my political philosophy final at 5:30 this morning. maybe it was the 3.5 hours of sleep. or maybe it was an epihany.

who decides who is a "philosopher"? because after a term of studying modern philosophy, it seems like some people who had some ideas. some were crazy, some were important, but mostly they just said obscure things that may or may not have caught on. everyone has thoughts, so why are these ones worth studying? (and I think some aren't worth studying)

Marx said "freedom is the only thing"

that's all I have to do to be a philosopher? say some vague, kind of deep thing? psh, give me something hard to do.

"liberty is our ultimate motivation. democracy is the will of the individual against the need to conform" -m. treasure, circa 2010
(philosophers love struggle, inner conflict, and words like liberty, freedom and democracy)

miracle of miracles

It was a miracle I was able to function the entire day on 4 hours of sleep.
I've caught a bad habit this spring--snoozing my alarm. But miracle of miracles, today I popped right out bed at 5:54am and made it to campus as the Brimhall doors opened at 7.
my wallet was right where I left it at work. Thank goodness.

Finals might be the death of me. Today was a "reading" day. I didn't get much reading done. More like editing, running around campus, presenting, crazy kind of day.

Also, today my fellow flava felon and spring wingwoman left me for the greener pastures of LA and Anderson Cooper. My room and my heart are barren. (yes, sometimes we are reciprocals of each other and I get crazy eyes and look obese, but whatever)

I go home in 2 days. Crazy. I'm excited to go home and was counting down the days except for the last week or so, when I started getting sad to leave. maybe it's the fact that 's finally beautiful and sunny here. or that I love my job. Or that the end of school is finally in sight. who knows. Oh well, viva Sammamish!

hello monday

today I did laundry in a quarter operated laundry room for the last time. Hopefully ever, but at least for the next 10 months. yes yes yes.

also, kylie and I got inspired at bijou market on Saturday. it was the same old "I could do that" "but did you?" well, no, we didn't make any of the handcrafted headbands or art or skirts, but now we are inspired to do it ourselves. thank you, utah

the flava felons march on. this week we tackled Spoon Me. Does it still count if the real reason we went was to peoplewatch for Ashley's consumer behavior class? but we did get frozen yogurt. for the experiment, of course. and it was good, but way too expensive. Notes taken.

In the last week, I have gotten sucked into two books--Al Capone Shines My Shoes (the sequel to the charming Al Capone Does My Shirts, thank you mothers book club) and Hunger Games, which was amazing. Can't wait to read the next one. too bad finals are in the way.

mother nature...I'm not a fan

I promise this isn't a dwelling blog, but...

I spent last night with some Barlow boys, reminiscing about DC for a class project. We all ended the night ready to get on the next plane and head back. I was so ready to be back here... ...and would have kept those feelings inside and gotten over it, until I woke up to this...

Snow. lots of it. on May 24th. It was not a happy Monday morning.

fruit out my ears

In a fit of insanity around midnight last night, maybe due to the way too many peanut butter bars I ate, I decided to do a body detox. (somewhat reputable) websites say its a good thing, and Rachel did it last year, so it can't be that bad. The plan? eat only fruits and veggies for 3 days to cleanse my body of all the crap I eat.

Today was day 1.

8:00am: I woke up, ate a banana and walked to the store, spent buying out the produce section. pack-muled it home. There are now two huge bowls of fruits and veggies on the counter. My roommates applaud my healthiness. This feels good.

10:30am: I go to work, where my boss offers me trailmix. I politely say no. I can totally do this!

12:30pm: I eat (somewhat frozen) mango chunks for lunch. Not the best mango, but manageable

3:10pm: I go get an all-fruit pomegranate strawberry smoothie at Jamba. My entire walk back to work, all I can think about is how badly I want a piece of toast. Only 2.5 more days of this.

5:30pm: I come home, actually have time to make dinner, but eat another banana and some 100% organic grapefruit juice (I hope that's ok) instead. My eyes momentarily feel like they will fall out of their sockets, but it passes. I can do hard things. fruits and vegetables are my friend, and the internet says I will be rejuvenated and refreshed if I stick this out.

oh boy.

i am ironman

saw Iron Man 2 last night. it was good, not as great as the first, but still action-packed and entertaining.
Today, I am wishing I had my very own Jarvis personal electronic system to read me my political philosophy textbook. Reading Machiavelli in my head with Paul Betany's English accent will have to suffice.

provo (does not equal) dc

disclaimer: this is a total downer. i just need to get it out of my system and then i'll be fine. i'm glad i'm here. really. i just have a lot of feelings.

not once have I heard a motorcade, or even sirens.
the cars here don't stop when you walk out into the road
everywhere seems so empty. where are the people, people?
the boys seem so young in their plaid shorts and polos. maybe they should wear fancy suits all the time.
I feel old. quite old. But up until 2 weeks ago, I felt quite young.
there are mountains and parking lots, instead of monuments and history
Coming up on the columns of the Maeser Building is not as cool as coming up on the columns of the Lincoln Memorial.
You can't just open the door of your apartment and yell out into oblivion and have someone answer you, like in the Barlow. (trust me, I tried. total failure)
Where are the minorities?

but there are some familiar things, like Barlow friends, hard beds, and garbage trucks outside my window at 7:15 am. and seeing old friends sure does feel good.

adjusting. takes time.
tomorrow will be better.

(packing...my favorite hobby)

DC to Denver
(layover)
Denver to Seattle
Seattle to Spokane
Spokane to Seattle
Seattle to Salt Lake

5 planes, 9 days. oh boy.

Tomorrow marks my return after a four-month hiatus from Provo. I'm not sure how I feel about it.
I am however, getting really good at telling how heavy a suitcase is just by lifting it, and airport security pretty much knows me by name.

Also I changed my blog header today, because "destination:dc" doesn't really apply anymore. welcome to my post-washington life.

on art

I took a lovely trip to the National Gallery of Art yesterday, where I realized I have been to more art museums in the last 3 months than I ever thought I would visit in my entire life. I love it. I feel so cultured.

I bought this print, on sale, from the gift shop. (Cakes by Wayne Thaibald) It kind of felt like I was cheating because I fell in love with the poster before I had seen the original painting, and I think it will be adorable framed in the kitchen of my future house. I passed on it, but when I found the painting hanging in the National Gallery's east wing a few minutes later, I knew it was meant to be. So I bought it. thoughts?

I also bought a postcard sized of this: (Young Girl Reading by Fraggonard). I love this painting. so much. It hangs in the National Gallery, and I am so drawn to it.
Fragonard is a genius. The Fragonard Room at the Frick Collection in New York is solidify its spot as favorite place in my heart the more I think about it. Hillary and I spent quite a long time in this room when we were there in February. It was magical.
Shout out to Matisse. Love him. Sad this painting (The Red Studio) isn't in America. But I've seen my fair share of his work in the last few months. love it.
And this poster keeps drawing me back. I've been the Hirshorn Gallery twice in the last 2 weeks, once just to look at this poster in the gift shop (all the neighborhoods in DC, map form, get it?). It's a good, useful, classy DC souvenir, yeah? But somehow, I can't bring myself to buy it. So I stare at it online instead.