Pah-Las-Ah-Mah is dumb.

Don't you hate it when you go in to donate plasma or something, and the people looking for your vein's can't find any and then they tell you that you can't donate plasma because you don't have enough vein's? I do. I also hate grocery shopping. I wish there were such thing as a drive through grocery store. I actually wish that my fridge would just magically stay stocked and that I wouldn't have to spend money or leave my apartment whenever I want food - but I figure that a drive through grocery store will probably be invented before a magical-self-stocking-fridge. I know, I set my sights high.

My brand new bright and shiny ATC!

Last night my room mates and I introduced ourselves at ward prayer. We each brought five items that represented us. I brought a PS2 paddle, a scout uniform, a boomerang, a Japanese fan, and an ATC (for rock climbing). We had all of our items laying on the table at the front of the room with cards by them that gave a description of what they were. We split our ward in to two teams and had one person from each team  alternately come and pick an item, then their team would have to guess who it belonged to. A couple minutes into our game, one young man came up to the table to choose an item. After assessing all of the things on the table, he picked up my ATC. Now, a little thing about rock climbing equipment: hardware - like carabiners, ATC's, quick-draws - cannot be dropped. If they are dropped from a certain height, they get micro-fractures and can never be used again. So, this young man picks up my ATC and starts spinning it around his finger as he read it's description. This is a guessing game, right? His team was supposed to guess who the ATC belonged to. However, before he could even finish reading the card, I panicked and yelled, "Oh my gosh! Please be careful with that!" The whole room went kind of silent for a split second and then his team all started shouting, "Oh, well now we know who that belongs to!" Embarrassing, huh? Yeah, it was. But at least I stopped him before he tossed my ATC (that I haven't even used yet!) across the room.

i heart art

[Snow Horse Gallery] About three years ago, my dad came up with the idea of putting an art gallery in a big empty hallway located in the Davis Conference Center. Today, after three years of hard work, the Snow Horse Art Gallery had its grand opening. Nine different artists had their work hanging in the gallery. Prices of paintings ranged from under $600 to over $5,000. The Mayor even made an appearance and cut a ribbon. That's right, there was a ribbon cutting. It was a big deal - well, at least to me it was. My parents always say to me, "If you want something badly enough, there is nothing stopping you from getting it." Throughout the course of the past three years, my dad has asked many different people to donate their money, time, and skills into this gallery. With help and encouragement from my mom, my dad made this happen. He worked hard  until this gallery was complete. I know that what my parents always say to me isn't a really complicated concept, but now I understand the amplitude of it. My dad didn't let thousands of dollars and countless hours of work get in the way of his gallery. He didn't let anything stop him from accomplishing this. I have people tell me all the time that I got all my weirdness from my dad. I’m going to reach deep down inside myself and find his motivation. Here's a link to an article in the Standard Examiner about my dad and the gallery: http://www.standard.net/topics/features/2011/01/20/wsu-art-grad-inspires-snow-horse-gallery [Brandi Carlile] Seriously, check her out. Lately, I've been pretty obsessive over three things: One - blogging. I just can't get enough of it! Two - Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. Gotta have that six pack by June! And Three - Brandi Carlile. I listen to her while I blog AND while I work out. Oh, and while I'm walking home from school and while I'm doing homework and while I cook and while I eat and while I clean and even while I brush my teeth. But not while I'm sleeping. I highly recommend Norah Jones for that, though. This is weird. I'm not normally one to rave and rant about music - THAT'S how much I love Brandi Carlile. She is a little different, though, so beware. And be ready to fall in love.

T-t-t-tommy!

I go through these “anti-facebook” phases every couple of months. I realize that I spend way, way too much time on that dumb site, and then I resolve to not get on for at least a week. And it works. I’ll go a week or more without getting on facebook and I always feel so accomplished (I feel like I’m talking about a drug addiction or something). Well, I missed my friend’s birthday because of my “anti-facebook” phase and it really made me start to think. I didn’t realize how much I’ve come to rely on facebook.  I have to have it remind me about my friend’s birthdays instead of writing them on my calendar myself. Or when someone gets their mission call! I don’t know this for sure, but I bet that one of the first things they do after they open it is go and post it on facebook. Yeah, it’s a great way to let everyone know where you are going, but it’s so impersonal. My friend got his mission call a couple weeks ago and he called me and told me where he was going. Believe me – that is so much better than seeing it on facebook. Just one more thing about facebook and then I’ll be done. I just watched The Social Network last weekend. They mentioned how people say things like, “Facebook me!” Since when has “facebook” become a verb? Okay. I’m done now.

You know how girls write letters to their “future husband”? Well, normally, I think those are weird. However, my adorable roommate Allie wrote one and posted it on her blog and I read it and LOVED it. So I asked her if I could post it to MY blog and she graciously allowed me to. So, here it is, by the ever lovely Allie Marie.

 Husband, I want to show you that there's a reason to be sick with love. I want to show you the magic we'll feel when our lips touch. I want us to dance together to our own madness. I want us to skip along those fine lines in life. I want us to play video games together. I want us to go against the flow. I want us to kiss in the rain. I want us to enjoy the simple things in life. I want to cuddle next to you. I want to be able to never get enough of you. I want us to get lost in our own world. I want our hearts to skip a beat very time we hear each other say "I love you." I want us to be an unstoppable force. But most of all.....I want us to find each other.

Isn’t it great? I especially love the part about playing video games. Mostly because I love video games. Okay. If I say anything else, I’ll probably ruin it.

Just one more thing: “T-t-t-tommy!” is my FHE pa. I went rock climbing last night and I love rock climbing and I love looking at people’s calf muscles when they are rock climbing and I saw Tommy when I was rock climbing – I wasn’t looking at his calf’s though – and I love saying “T-t-t-tommy!” Try it. It’s fun. Also, I got to use my brand new harness last night. And then I wore it to cold stone. And I love Stephanie Dansie. And I love that she loves to go rock climbing. And now I have someone in Logan to go climbing with. And I don’t care that haters in Provo have passes to climbing gyms and get to go all the time. And I’m not bitter or jealous about it. At all.

Also, my blender got stolen today.

YOU had a bad day?!

   Normally, my life is pretty darn good. Even not normally, my life is pretty good (it makes sense if you don’t think about it too much). However, on those “not normally” days, I feel like my life is over and that giving up right then and there is the best option. Well today, a “not normally” day, I had an astounding epiphany. Allow me to explain.

·         I found out today that I didn’t get a job that I had applied and interviewed for.

·         I realized today how out of money I really am. People say that money doesn’t buy happiness... but if I had money, I would be pretty dang happy.

·         I noticed today that my car is nearly out of gas and because of my “out of money” realization, I can’t afford to fill it.

·         I forgot my wallet today when I went to the grocery store. All I needed was some milk and some toothpaste and I forgot my wallet.

·         I was told today that I have to wait until October to get my associates degree (which really isn’t that big of a deal – although, now I’m going to have to revise one of my resolutions…) and that it will cost money – money that I don’t have.

Okay, now on to the epiphany!

   I called my mom when I got back from the grocery store. I was upset and frustrated and stressed. I just didn’t know what to do. I was seriously ready to “give up right there and then”. My mother is much more level-headed than I am, and she told me repeatedly that everything was going to be okay and that I need to not “give up right then and there”. She gave me names of people to talk to about getting a job; she told me not to worry about the associate’s degree and that it doesn’t matter when it comes, just as long as it does; she offered to help me out financially until I get a job. Basically she saved me.

   Around 9:00 tonight, my roommate came in and told me that our friend’s mom had just passed away. I honestly felt guilty for thinking that my day had been so horrible. If I wasn’t able to talk to my mom today, I probably would’ve chopped all my hair off, slashed my own tires, and purposely started my apartment on fire – you know, like a “Wild Child!” I would’ve given up right then and there if she hadn’t been there to talk some sense in to me. I realize now that, no matter how bad my day was today – no matter how frustrated or stressed I was – other people are out there dealing with bigger, harder things than a dumb old empty gas tank and a belated associate’s degree. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve finally realized how much I take for granted – like a little bit of advice from my mom, or the peanut butter and honey that I can’t stop eating (not on a sandwich – just off of a butter knife. Delish!).

   Okay. That’s the end of my epiphany. I’m going to try real, real hard from here on out to stop taking things for granted. Maybe I should add that to my constantly increasing list of resolutions…

Welcome to my Friday night.

   Remember how I have that goal to make more friends? This is why. Lately, I've been obsessed with making the perfect Pumpkin Pie. However, last night I went a different direction - chocolate cupcakes. It's Friday night and I am home alone - baking. Yes, I really was baking. About 2 1/2 cups of cocoa and sugar later and viola! Delicious home made chocolate cupcakes! So much for my "eating healthier" goal... At least I was being productive, right?

   I didn't have enough cocoa to make the entire frosting recipe so I cut it in half, which required me to get kind of creative. I say "kind of" because I mostly just copied those little hostess cupcakes... Here are the recipes for the cupcakes and the frosting. I just found them online, but they really are so delish. I feel like I gain 10 pounds every time I eat one because of the frosting, but they are just so good that I keep eating them! Anyway, here you go...

Devil’s Food Cupcake Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2/3 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 extra large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup flavorless vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 Tablespoon espresso powder dissolved in 1 cup boiling water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcake pans with 24 cupcake liners.

Sift flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar together into a medium bowl.

Combine the egg, milk, oil, vanilla, and dissolved espresso powder in a medium bowl and whisk by hand until well mixed. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.

Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them about half full.

Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until the cupcakes are puffed and feel springy. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

http://www.weddingbeepro.com/2009/07/01/delicious-chocolate-cupcake-recipe/

**The only things I did different were: I dissolved 2 tablespoons of cocoa in 1 cup of boiling water instead of espresso powder. I also added a little bit of extra vanilla - maybe 1 teaspoon extra. Oh, and I also used 1% milk instead of whole milk, you know, to make them more healthy. 

Chocolate Buttercream Icing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup cocoa or three 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares, melted
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
• 3-4 tablespoons milk

Makes: About 3 cups of icing

Directions:

Stiff Consistency: In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add cocoa and vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Re-whip before using.

For Thin (Spreading) Consistency Icing: Add 3-4 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk.

http://www.wilton.com/recipe/Chocolate-Buttercream-Icing

**I cut this recipe in half except for the milk - I still used 3 tablespoons of milk, and it was fluffy and delicious. Then, I put it in a ziploc bag, cut one little corner off and squeezed the frosting through the little hole to decorate the cupcakes. Also, I used the regular dark brown vanilla and it worked just fine. Also again, as a side note, "confectioner's sugar" is really powdered sugar - I didn't know that before... Oh yeah - I made the "stiff consistency" icing. Okay. That's all.

Well, I hope you enjoy chocolate cupcakes - 24 of them to be exact. And I also hope that you are never so bored on a Friday night that you resort to baking chocolate cupcakes with no one for company except your two dogs. And dogs can't even talk so they don't make for very good company.

Let's be real, okay?

I’ve been really hesitant about writing down my “new year’s resolutions” this year. In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever written them down… This year is a different story, though. You see, in years past, I never really wanted to write them down. I guess I just didn’t see the point. However, I’ve been hearing a lot lately that if you write your goals down, you are much more likely to accomplish them.  So I figured I’d give it a shot. The one thing that has kept me from doing this sooner (like on New Year’s), is that I have so many things that I want to accomplish, and let’s be real, okay? They are tough. At least to me they are. There is a great possibility that I am just weaker than everyone else… but that doesn’t matter! These are my goals, okay?!

Moving on…

I’ve decided to save myself from justifying my “goal breaking” in the future, by justifying them now. That way, in the future, I won’t be breaking any goals when I decide to eat an extra cookie every once in a while or when I really am too tired to wake up for that miserable 9:30 class of mine. The reason you all get to know my goals and guidelines is because these are really things I want to accomplish this year. If you write a goal down, you are that much more likely to accomplish it. So what if anyone who wants to can read your goals? That’s got to give me an even better chance at this. And trust me, I’m going to need all the “much more likely’s” and “better chances” I can get.  So here’s to hoping!

1.      Eat healthier

At first, I was going to try and cut junk food completely out of my diet, but let’s be real, okay? There is no way I can go a year with absolutely no junk food… well, I guess I could if there were a good enough incentive. So the goal is simply to eat healthier than I did this past year – and if I’m being honest, that probably won’t be too difficult.

2.      Exercise often

I made a bet with Ashlin, Valery, and Mike. Whoever has a six pack by the time Scout Camp comes, wins. Ashlin and I tried this last year… yeah, neither of us won. But we are serious this time!  And now it’s written down, er, typed in! And there are names and everything! (I’m pretty sure Mike already had a six pack when we made this bet… ). The goal is to exercise at least enough to get a six pack by June 12^th.

3.      Earlier bed time

Man, last semester was the hardest one of my life! And it’s all because I never got to bed before like, 3:00 in the morning! It was terrible and it led to some terrible consequences. But, let’s be real, okay? I’m a college student – staying up late is part of the job (if you can call that a job). The goal is to be in bed before midnight at least four nights a week.

4.      Stop skipping class

This is one of those terrible consequences I was just talking about! And it led to even more terrible consequences. I tried to schedule my classes for later in the afternoon, but one thing led to another and now I have a class at 9:30 in the morning. I know, I know, “Try getting up for a 7:30 class”. Remember that thing I said earlier about me being weaker than most people?  The goal is to skip no more than two classes (as in, two of each class).

5.      Get a job

Well, pretty much my life depends on this one… maybe it should be higher up on the list. Thankfully, I’ve got tuition covered. Eating, however, is another story. The goal is to have a job by the end of January... and keep it!

6.      No caffeine

I was going to try for no soda, but let’s be real, okay? (This is another example of my “weakness”). I live for Dr. Pepper, so we’ll see how this one goes. The goal is seriously, to not drink any caffeinated drinks for the entire year.

7.      Save money

I took a Family Finance (or Financial Family, as I liked to call it) class last semester that kind of opened my eyes to finance… and the fact that I have a mere $75.00 in my savings account. I know, that’s going to get me REAL far in life, right? Also, this is pretty much entirely (can I say that?) dependent on Goal #5: Get a job.  The goal is to save up enough money to pay my parents back and then enough to go to Australia next year with the fam, and then enough to buy a car, and then enough to – nope, I’m stopping before this one becomes too unrealistic.

8.      No fast food

This will certainly help with Goal #1, Goal #3, and Goal #7. How will not eating fast food help me get to bed earlier, you ask? Well, in the year and a half that I have been going to college, 2:00 AM McDonald’s runs have become a pretty regularly occurring thing. But they must stop!  So, the goal is to completely cut fast food from my diet. Let’s be real, okay? I’m not as hopeful about this one as I should be…PS. Chinese food doesn't count.

9.      Pay back parents

School costs money, ya know? Money that I don’t have. It’s true: $75.00 is NOT enough to pay for tuition, books, fees, housing, food, gas, etc.  I’m pretty stringent on borrowing money from people – I hate it. And as painful as it was for me to ask my parents to help me out, I couldn’t bear to even think about asking the government. The goal is to be completely out of my parent’s debt by the end of the year.

10.   Get associates degree

16 more credits – that is all I need. If I go to bed earlier, I won’t skip class as often, and then, I’ll be able to get this bad boy! The goal is to get my associates degree in May of this year.

11.   Make friends

Yeah, I’m even less hopeful about this one than I am the fast food one….

12.   Stop popping knuckles

Even less hopeful about this one. That’s why these ones are at the bottom…

13.   BLOG

One reason I can’t sleep (aside from the 2:00 AM McDonald’s runs) is because I can’t stop thinking. It’s horrible. My mind is always racing. So, maybe if I write down what is racing through my head, I’ll be able to sleep. I don’t want this to be super specific, so the goal it just to blog as much as is necessary for a full night’s sleep.

Well there you have it. I wish you all luck with your resolutions… and I wish myself luck with mine – like I said, I’m going to need it.