IS THIS REAL LIFE?!!

K, this is killing me. I'm in love.

I am a happy camper.

I am so happy with my life right now. Everything I've been wishing for this entire year is coming true. I hope it lasts.

Speaking of camper... I want to go camping. In Moab. In the next week, I already have the whole thing planned out in my mind.

I have a job now. I like it. I'm learning a lot.

Now that Robert and Tawni are married, they're bored. I see Robert more now than I have in a few years. I love that.

Is my blog boring? The layout plus the writing? Probably.

I'm going to make a quilt. Yes, I want to start tomorrow with Mon. It's going to be a cutie.

I am going to buy a bike. I've been wanting one for so long and then I went on a bike ride this week and confirmed it. Good thing I have a job.

Not taking classes this Spring was the best thing I ever did for myself. Am I a little bored at times? Yes, but I try to fill some of that time with useful activity.

I love the old folks home. They are such a treat and always happy to see ya. Bingo Thursdays here we come!

Doesn't it seems like you go through a lul, and then everything comes at once? You had nothing to do all day, and then all of a sudden, two things come up at the exact same time.

It's dumb when people get awkward over things that you try to make normal.

I like shopping and John Mayer.

I bought Country Strong a few days ago. Seen it twice since. It's a great flick.

C squared.

My roommate and best friend had a birthday on Saturday. She's pretty.

She is 20, so these are 20 Reasons why I love Caitlyn:

1. We have the best meeting story that anyone has ever known, and she still lets us talk about it and it never really does get old!

2. She's always down for something fun.

3. She's one of the best friends in the whole world.

4. She is always thinking of others and genuinely wants her friends to be happy.

5. She's a great listener and she gives great advice. When I spill my thoughts that are so repetative and boring, she always actively listens and tells me what she thinks of what I'm saying. Can't explain how much I appreciate this one.

6. She's HI-LARIOUS. Even when she doesn't know it, she says the funniest things that make my day.

7. When she thinks something is extra funny, she laughs really hard and it's one of my favorite laughs in the whole world.

8. We have a special boy bond. Nobody else will ever understand.

9. She always shares her great music with me, and gets me hooked on all the latest.

10. She shares my love for celebrity gossip. I came home about a month ago and she said "GUESS WHAT?!" And I said "WHAT?!" and she said, "ZAC AND VANESSA BROKE UP!!" -- I loved it.

11. She HATES scary movies, and even though she makes them not scary for me, I love watching them with her because she is so hilarious when she screams and freaks out at it!

12. She has the most beautiful voice in the world and she serenades me.

13. She wrote me a song about my life and nailed it. She wrote the perfect song for what I needed.

14. She eats cookie dough and pizza rolls with me in the wee hours of the night.

15. She always wants to know what you're doing in the day, and checks in on how your day was, how your test went, or how dinner was. She's very thoughtful. Even though it's small little things everyday, she probably doesn't even know how much I appreciate it.

16. She gets in these rants that she probably hates, but secretly I love when she gets in those moods... haha

17. I love how excited she gets when she has big news. She starts with "OH MY GOSH YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!" And I know it's going to be good.

18. She's a great wingman and always comes with me when I need some moral support. I wish I could be more like her in this way.

19. She has one of the greatest families in the world, and they are always so nice to me.

20. She helps me get ready in times of need, and picks out my clothes and straightens my hair!

I could go on and on. Love you Cait, Happy birthday!

It's been awhile.

The library is a great place. Always a familiar face. (Whether I just know them because they study by me everyday, or I really know them is questionable).

In marriage class today we learned about dating and then courting. Caitlyn turned to me and said

"So what's inbetween? Friends with benefits?"

I cracked up.

Then Robert wrote out the real order for us. It goes like this:

Before dating, Dating, (Apartment 15), courting, engagement, marriage.

I cracked up again.

It seems like the times when I update my blog is when I'm particularly swamped on school work. It shouldn't be this way.

You can't ask boys advice about other boys. Even if they beg you to tell them because they know everything and they have all the good advice in the world. Cause you know what? The truth is that boys advice only applies to boys that are like them. And I'm wondering about the kind of guys who like to give the advice.

I went ice skating last night. Stake activity. Was I forced onto the rink? Yes. Did I appreciate the force? .................yes.

Wishing that I were here with these wonderful people instead:

Is this not the best picture of Caitlyn on earth?

Last night I got kicked out of the library. No I didn't do anything outrageous or out of line. I was just here too long and the workers wanted to go home... I don't know why.

Nobody warned me that dating in college would be such a nightmare on my brain. What the heck?

Music really helps me get through my day. I have a study song. It's the only thing I can listen to while I study. It's called Moonlight Sonata. It's on a constant repeat.

L.I.F.E. G.O.E.S. O.N. - Noah and the Whale

I babysat my niece and nephew yesterday and Hailey started singin, "partyin partyin, YEAH!" I laughed and recorded her sing a good 30 seconds of the song word for word.

Caitlyn: "It's so simple a baby can learn it."

We had a ward fireside on Sunday night and there was some great points made. I have a few things to change in my current life.

I need another road trip stat.

I've moved my studies into the Asian Collection. It's quite nice in here.

It's sad how you live somewhere, meet a lot of people, the semester ends, everyone moves somewhere else, and ou start over. I wish I could be a little more like Kevin: "That's not sad. It's just life." But I can't help but be sad that the year is ending and people are going away :(

I'm gonna miss her this summer, but at least she's comin back in the fall with me! Couldn't do it without her.

Sorry for the heinous pic Reid. Nobody Reads my blog anyway.

It just really shows why I'm gonna miss ya ;)

Brother Richardson: "You gravitate toward one another. There shouldn't be a need for establishing a safety boundary."

John Mayer: "Anything other than yes is no, anything other than stay is go, anything less than I love you is lying..."

That about sums it all up, friends.

Scary Day

"Be direct. One usually accomplishes more that way."

- Fortune Cookie.

Happyness

Here I am on the fourth floor of the Harold B. Lee Library.

Watching the Pursuit of Happyness for American Heritage.

Crying.

Yes, there are tears in my eyes.

I Used to be Fat.

So there has been a lot of TV watching this week being at home with the fam. I usually don't watch tv, but it's been kind of nice to have nothing better to do than to sit down to a nice episode of "I Used to be Fat." Seriously, there is a show called this. It's a weight loss show about these people who lose like 100+ pounds in like 4 months. It's pretty amazing actually. This show combined with the outrageous amounts of food I've been eating this week got me thinking about that time when

I used to be fat.

It's true. I'm not just saying this. During my senior year I lost a grand total of 30 lbs. And yes, you're probably thinking about how I'm not even that skinny now! (Since May I think I've put 10 of it back on. Diet starts again January 1.) But it's true. My brother didn't believe me either until he saw this beauty picture of me from The first month of my Senior year.

All pride aside, this is the heaviest I've ever been:

Yes, the belly spilling over the belt with some stubby lil legs, a round face, and two chins.

Oh, and how about that terrible mullet I'm rockin here? WHAT!!?

Booty Pop.

"From flat to fab in seconds with Booty Pop!"

Did there ever exhist a more wonderful white elephant gift?

I think not.

Boys. GIrls.

I've noticed something lately. When boys meet other boys who have mutual friends with their friends who are girls, they are very civil to one another.

"Hey what's up man? What's your name?" They get rollin on a topic, where they're from, who they know, whatever.

When girls walk into an appartment with other girls who are mutual friends with their friends who are boys, it's not the same story. They ignore eachother and pretend they are the only ones present.

If only girls could be a little more like boys..

Finals

I'm coming up on my first finals week of my entire life.

We never had "finals" in High School.

I'm a lil nerves.

Libra.

Horoscopes are for reals. I don't care what anyone says. Sometimes when I read my horoscope, I feel like there is someone out there playing a trick on me who knows my life story. And no, I'm not joking here.

Wet, cold, and tired.

My mom used to tell me that my three favorite things were to be wet, cold, and tired. In other words, I hated when she told me to put on a coat, I refused to wear a poncho and moon boots, and I really loved the wee hours of the morning. Well, the last is still true, but boy are there few things that I hate worse than being wet and cold! As the bitter winter air is coming in, I'm reminded how miserable it is to be outside in the cold. And to be wet on top of it!

I got giddy today thinking about how THIS is coming for me in February...

This morning was spent at Timpview High School watching my brother kick field goals. His wife didn't think he could kick a 50 yarder, so of course we went right then to the field and proved her wrong! Using my ugg slippers as a tee wasn't the best idea, however. They are ripped in two places now. I'm not super happy about that. Buuut, I have to say I enjoyed watching his determination while my sister in law taunted him on the side lines. And I enjoyed shagging balls on the other end of the goal post. I think I can throw like 15 yards now, so I'm getting pretty good...

Everyone but Robert and Tawni actually ended up at our house today. I loved that. My brother, Bryan was teasing me because I think I did about 50 of these little kid sewing animals this afternoon. What can I say, I am obsessed with them!

THESE beauties get home on Monday. I've been missing them. Pickin up Reid at 7am, Salt Lake International, Mondee morn. Can't wait.

Beach Boyssss!

This week was my mom's birthday and my mom looooves the Beach Boys! The just so happened to be in town on the 4th, which is her actual birthday and we got second row tickets for the whole fam! It was really fun!

Here's as much of the stage as I could get from up close!

These cuties are the only two originals left and they've stiiiiiill got it baby! The gramps on the left was flirting with Andi throughout because she was jumpin around so much and loving it. So funny.

Some of the gang afterwards with one of the Beach Boys that we met and he signed our beach ball! At the end they threw in like TONS of beach balls for the encore number and I honestly couldn't stop laughing because they were bouncing around and wacking me in the head like crazy! And everybody, and I mean everybody was lovvvving slapping those things around!

And then we ran into Mr. Governor and his wife and had to snap a quick pic!

And for the hilight of my night? The cutie newcomer who is one of the originals sons threw me his pick at the end and winked at me. wooooo hoooooo!!

It was a seriously fun night and my mom loved every minute of the concert. Especially when they started crankin out Sloop John B.

Happy Birthday to the BEST mom in the world!

I love you so much and you are my best friend! I love being your only little girl!

Alfie, get up. It's a brand new day.

Today was my first day on my quest to beat the natural man.

How did I do you ask?

Welll, I woke up at 7:30 and looked at the crack in my door and there was no light on. I'll admit the thought crossed my mind that if Allison slept in, I'd pretend like I did too.... she woke me up 2 minutes later.

I was 10 minutes late to Bio.

I skipped half of my art class to go to einstein with Allison because whether I go or not doesn't really make a difference as far as my grade is concerned.

I fell asleep in Institute.

I put off writing my paper until 10:00 tonight and it's now 2:37 and I only have 2 pages down because I keep getting distracted by my hilarious roommates and their never ending funny stories.

I'm now blogging instead of finishing that paper.

I caved and did that thing that I said I wasn't going to do until at least Friday...

It's Monday.

I did clean my appartment and sweep the porch of our filthy hay bail and decluttered my room!

I decided that picking up and folding my laundry at my moms could wait another day. I have more clothes I can scrounge up. -- I wore all black today. I like to say it's because I'm mourning the close of the Halloween season, but the truth is, I didn't have anything else to wear. My clothes are at my moms...

I ate dinner at FHE. and at my moms. And had some pizza for a midnight snack.

Welp, it looks like a great start to my conquering the natural man, eh?

Tomorrow's a new day.

Stud Studyin is a habit... Wait.

I honestly never thought I'd sink so low as to letting my head hit the library floor at UVU. But being in that building for too many hours at a time and you can't keep your head upright.

She can catch my drift. Blank Stare memorization.

Meet Carl.

This is our Kitty, Carl. We found him outside today and he followed us home. We gave him some milk, but he was hungry after that. Soooo we brought out the Trix. Yosef told us Trix are for kids, and Carl won't like them. He was right. So we got him some turkey and he enjoyed.

Carl is a loving cat.

Ash thinks he's a girl... buuuuut he's not.

We were both pretty pro Carl until he started screetching at me when I tried getting him off our welcome mat....

Then, I'm not gonna lie, we were a little scared of him...

I'm afraid he's planning on staying a little longer than we were expecting.

Better go buy some Friskies in the morning...

High School Advice.

Too bad I don't have a younger sister, because if I did, I would give her the best advice. I feel like all my wrong choices would come to use, because she would at least benefit! So, this is what I would tell my little sister if I had one:

1. Take P.E. your freshman year. Don't think you'll just do it online. It's a joke, and you'll end up doing it the last 2 months of your senior year in MAJOR stress.

2. If you don't like something you're doing, don't do it! It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks if you hate it.

3. Have a good variety of classes with your friends and classes by yourself. You get the chance to meet people on your own.

4. Take classes that you are interested in.

5. Take a full schedule ll through your Junior year. CHECK WITH A COUNSELOR at the beginning of your senior year to make sure you have enough graduation credits before you decide to drop your first and second period. If you do have enough credits, DROP YOUR FIRST OR SECOND PERIOD! You will be much happier throughout the day because you got enough sleep :)

6. Go to bed earlier than I did. School is so fun when you can function and be silly with your friends.

7. Sometimes what mom doesn't know won't hurt her ;) high school is the time to get your sillies out. Have fun with your friends doing pranks and going crazy, but be safe. Don't do anything TOO stupid.

8. Attend as many extra curriculars as you can, and get involved. Especially at games. Stand in the front with everyone and CHEER!

9. Ask to all girls choice dances you can. And go ahead and ask boys you don't know that great. It's the perfect opportunity to get to know a new boy and his friends! Besides, who knows what will come of it ;)

10. Don't have a serious boyfriend for too much of your high school. Make sure your friends still matter when you do have a boyfriend, because when he leaves, it'll be much easier to deal with if you have solid girlfriends that you love to be around!

11. Don't be afraid to speak up. Nobody likes somebody who is quiet all the time, and is afraid to share their opinions.

12. Get your learners permit right when you turn 16 and complete drivers ed with plenty of time before your 16th birthday. It's the best being able to go to the DMV on your birthday and DRIVE YOURSELF TO SCHOOL!

13. Mom and dad know what they are talking about.

14. Don't judge a book by it's cover. People are only stupid until you get to know them!

15. Don't make enemies under any circumstance. They make your high school career a nightmare.

16. Be positive. Stupid english teacher? Lame assignment? After school soccer practice on a friday? Terrible break up? Your positivity will shine above everything.

17. High school is what you make it. If you want it to be fun it will be! But if you want it to be lame, it will also be that.

18. Take advantage of your time here. It will all pass way before you expect it to, and you'll regret ever wasting time, or not having fun all the times you could.

19. Your counselors surprisingly have ALL the answers. Become friends with Momi. She's a great lady and she'll get you through high school. Really, don't be afraid to ask. You'd be surprised what people will do for you if you just ask. And sometimes you don't know all the options, it helps to know ALL the options you have.

20. Dress up on dress up days. Really it makes you a more fun person, and it gives people a conversation starter with you. It'll help you make friends!

21. Don't stick to one secluded group of girls. Spread out and become a part of a lot of groups! That way you will never feel lonely, and you will know so many more people and learn about yourself through them.

22. Be nice! Don't be a gossiping brat. Girls can be mean, but stay out of it as much as possible.

23. You are in High School. Don't try to be somewhere else. Live on it. Thrive on it. This applies to every stage of your life really. Be in the stage you're in. Don't wish you were 5 again, and don't wish you were in college, and don't wish you were married with a new baby. All that will come when you're ready.

24. Don't take things too seriously. Learn how to laugh off teasing and jokes, and even sometimes rude people.

25. Have fun! The best way to have fun is when you aren't stressed out. Work hard and then play. It's not ALL about fun.

26. Take some classes that will help you get into college. AP classes are actually recommended by me, even though I didn't take any.

27. Take an ACT prep class. It seriously sucks bad, and it takes away your life for a month or 2, but honestly it will raise your score. Take it more than once also.

28. Don't lose sight of college. You want to have the option to go to the colege of your choice, even though it seems so far away! You'll be grateful for your good grades when Senior year rolls around and you are prepared and have good grades.

29. Get your senior pictures taken at the BEGINNING of your senior year. You're still tan and you will look nicer :) plus then you don't have to worry about that on top of everything else at the end of the year!

30. Don't go out to eat every meal. You WILL gain weight. You WILL regret it. and you WILL end up on weight watchers with mom before you graduate.

Too bad I don't have a little sister, huh......?

Pearl Harbor

We all took a drive down to honolulu today to visit Pearl Harbor. I went once before when I was about 12 but I really appreciated it this time. Pearl Harbor is my favorite event in history. I LOVE the movie and it just means so much to American history. My favorite part was being on the actual USS Arizona monument and looking down at the ship below. There is still oil coming up from the boat and it's estimated to be coming up for several hundred more years! The huge wall with all the names on it was just amazing also. I can't believe how many people died that day. Not to mention everybody who died in the war altogether! I loved seeing Pearl Harbor today and thinking about everything that goes along with it.

Large Cities

Big cities contain some pretty weird curbside activity.... For example:

This man sat there for probably 10 minutes with a big crowd gathered round and not ONE PERSON was sitting down for a photo! Naturally I felt a little sorry for him, and seeing that I was the only one in my party that wasn't 100% creeped out by him, I took a seat! I had to bring my dad along though, of course!

Or how about this?!!?

ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Not only is this man LAYING on the side of the FILTHY road, but he is full on RECEIVING A MASSAGE FROM THAT STRANGE WOMAN!! And this picture doesn't even do it justice. Just before this, she was straddling him and digging her elbows into his BACK!!!

Oh, how I love big cities :)

Honolulu International...

Last weekend was spent at Sundance on the ski slopes.

This weekend? Honolulu International Airport here I come!

My family is headed to Oahu for 7 days! This couldn't have come at a better time because it is the dead of winter in Provo and I needed a break and some sun! I can't wait to hit the beach this morning! My mom's 2 brothers are here with their family's as well :) Thank you dad for the wonderful vaca up ahead!

Funny Story of the day: We were all at Safeway buying groceries for our condos for the week. Breakfast and lunch food. So we have a lot of people in our group... and we didn't notice this old woman trying to get by us in the isle next to where we were congregated. So we hear this loud

"EXCUSE ME!!!"

And we look up to see this woman shaking her hands above her head in frustration that there are so many people in her way! Oops! Well, with that many people sometimes it's hard to stay out of everybody's way! Sorry lady.