Aye Aye Cap'n

Something strange has been happening to my body over the past week and a half. I find that I am no longer able to sleep at the socially acceptable times of day. When the darkness of night descends upon the earth and all the people close their eyes to join the darkness, my eyes will not shut. As the minds of others take them on journeys through dreams, my mind withholds such a passport from me.

So I'm left here. Wondering at my future as a nocturnal creature. And this is what the crystal ball holds in store.

Everyone, this is an aye aye. A nocturnal creature.

Somebody, save me from this fate.

GROUPME

So I have these friends... please, refrain from expressing your surprise at this statement.


They reside in Provo most months of the year. Unfortunately this month of the year is not one of those months. They've all gone to the different parts of the west to see family and celebrate the Christmas season from the comfort of their homes. I don't blame them.

But I do miss them.

Fortunately for me a brilliant system has been established that allows me to be connected to each of these people all at once. The solution's name is Groupme. Through this website friends can be put into groups and assigned a new, group number. When members text this number, all people within the group receive the text and have the opportunity to respond. These responses can be seen by all members of the group and the cycle continues on in an uplifting and entertaining manner.

I've grown up with this type of technology and often take for granted how sincerely AWESOME it is. I mean, I can watch an entertaining video on youtube, send it through instant chat to someone in a different state, type a message to a friend in Europe, get her response 5 minutes later, all while reading an email from a missionary in Tahiti. Then I can take a video of a percussion ensemble performance, have my roommate in Arizona watch it while I order a present online from a company miles away. Just stop and think about that.

...

...

Have you thought about it? It's incredible.

So I miss my friends and look forward to seeing them again, but until then I'll stay connected to them and enjoy the jewels of wit that come my way via text.

Groupme: keeping people together has never been so entertaining.

you know it's finals week when...

• all you want to wear is jeans and a t-shirt. maybe a fleece vest too. so you do.
• you can't bring yourself to put on makeup for the sole purpose of being able to rub your eyes while reading
• you spend more time on campus than off campus, even though you don't have any classes to go to
• you have a constant tab (literally...like on your internet browser...) on the conditions of the testing center line
• you consider a blog post more of an opportunity to take a break from studying rather than an actual means of enjoyment
• you sleep in because you were in the library until 2am. (yay extended hours)
• you don't see your friends anymore
• when you do see your friends they don't recognize you because of previously stated lack of makeup and choice of wardrobe
• you daydream of the moment when you will actually be able to sell back those blasted books
• you need to go grocery shopping, very badly, but refrain because you'll be headed home soon anyway. right? i am going to be going home soon...RIGHT?
• you make new resolves every hour to do a better job of studying throughout the next semester
• you watch MormonMessages in an attempt to calm your soul
• you get asked on "library dates"
• you consistently have to remind yourself that you ARE NOT your test score...YOU ARE A PERSON.

Oh finals. What would we do without you?

Oh. I know. Laugh. Smile. Live.

I Do Declare!

Political Science

It has been done.

What to do when you have a bad weekend

I think that we might put a few too many expectations on the weekend. The weekend is what we often live for. We base how we feel about each day off of it's relationship with the upcoming weekend and once we reach the weekend, we expect it to make up for the long, hard week we've just had. I think this is unfair to both the weekday and the weekend. The weekday can't help that it's surrounded by other weekdays and overrun with school and work, so let's not blame it. (even though we desperately want to)

My main thought, however, lies in the weekend. We are being unfair to these days, or at least I am. I rely so heavily on the rejuvenating prospect of a few days off, that when those days don't measure up to what I expect them to be, I'm devastated. Let me try to portray why my expectations are ruining me.

My expectations for the weekend:

8 hours of study

7 hours of social gatherings

18 hours of sleep

5 hours of hiking

2 hours of cleaning

4 hours of baking

5 hours of catch up with friends

2 hours of testing

3 hours of dating

1 hour of talking with my family

5 hours of football

3 hours of shopping

For a grand total of 63 hours

Actual hours I can spend doing these things:

Friday: 7 hours

Saturday: 24 hours

Total of 31 hours

The weekend has 31 hours to offer me. I don't count Sunday because most of the things I want to do on the weekend I choose not to do on the sabbath. No matter how I try, I cannot get 63 out of 31. And when I can't do that, I begin my weekdays feeling low, unaccomplished, and unprepared. Then I hate the weekdays because I feel that way.

So what do you do when you have a bad weekend? Well, you look forward to the next one. I mean, it's the weekend after all...

Perspective

This is what I think I look like in a hood:

This is what I probably actually look like in a hood:

Hey, it's all about your perspective.

The Grand Finale? No way...

 So I know that I've posted about these people a few times before but every time I get a new email about the crazy things my brother and sister-in-law do, I just want the world (aka the 7 people who read this) to know about it. Maybe it's not interesting to you but hey, this is my blog and it's interesting to me.

I got this email from Spencer this morning:

Here is a short tale of our recent adventure:

We climbed in Kolob Canyon outside Toquerville on Friday and did some gorgeous climbs on sandstone with huge huecos(holes) in the rock, some providing enough space for you to crawl inside. Very cool.

Saturday was the big day. We had found ourselves a beautiful campspot right outside the park boundaries on USFS land. It's Legal! We departed said campsite at 4:45 am and started running about 5:15. The run from the North to the South Rim is absolutely awesome. All downhill! You run through a few campsites and a spectacular slot canyon-like area called Box Canyon before arriving at Phantom Ranch which is about 12-13 miles in where you can buy a steak dinner for $40. We all felt great at this point. Then we crossed the bridge over the CO river and began the long trek up Bright Angel towards the South Rim. This section isn't terribly steep and we ran quite a bit of it, but the 10 miles still took us about 3 hours, landing us on top at the halfway mark about 6:15 hours among the throngs of japanese tourons. At this point we were quite tired and the only reason we didn't give up was it costed $80 a pop to take the shuttle back to the North Rim. So we then took the shuttle bus over to the South Kaibab trailhead, 1.5 miles away, to run down as it is shorter and steeper.(we wanted to see both trails) This was indeed very steep and we had to hold back in order to not lose our balance and trip over a rock and tumble to our deaths as we ran down a very narrow and exposed ridgeline. We hit the river again after about 8:30 hours of running. Our goal was under 10 hours but the stars were not aligned in our favor, neither were our legs. Steve hadn't run as much lately as he had decided to do the run with us 2 days before, so his calves were killing. Annie's right knee had "a knife jabbed in it" and for some reason my left ankle felt like a small rodent was biting me everytime I stepped. We hobbled, walked, shuffled our way the 4-5 miles of gradual incline back toward the North rim, then slowly we completed the walk of shame back up the steep, steep North Rim, finally finishing at about 7 pm for a time of 13:21.(we didn't count the shuttle time on the south rim in case you were wondering about the math) We started in the dark, and finished in the dark, so we never actually saw the view from the north rim proper, but we saw most of the rest of that dang canyon. We figured our mileage was around 43-44 miles total, with about 24,000 feet of elevation change. I think we decided it was like hiking Timp twice then running a half marathon or something. Spectacular scenery. We found some quarters in the hyundai and each bought a hot shower at the North Rim campground, then dried off with a dirty shirt. I know, somewhat counterproductive. We were too tired, sore, and sick of power bars and gu's to eat dinner, so we settled for some soda and sacked out. We then broke the Sabbath by buying 10 Sausage mcmuffins at mcdonalds while listening to conference on the ride home.

Typical that they'd be doing twice this distant in one day.

So I'd like to think that maybe they're done for awhile. As soon as I think that though, I know that I'm wrong. They'll never stop. And that's one of the reasons I love them. Good on ya' guys. Good on ya'.

there's something in the air...

I wish that I could say that that something is love, camaraderie, happiness, mystery, wonder....love...

It's not. There is literally something in the air. Something that my body hates. Something that causes my eyes to itch, nose to run, and makes me sneeze a good 25 times every five minutes.

Mmmm.

So I guess I'll just say goodbye to breathing for the next week and a half. 

Goodbye breathing. I'll see you when my body decides to cooperate and compromise. 

The things we do for money...

I like money. I like the things that I can do with money; like buy food, pay for rent, buy books, travel, make dollar bill rings...you know, all that good stuff.That's why I have a job, and a pretty good job at that. I've already posted about employment as a secretary in the Teacher Education Department at BYU, so I won't go into that. (See what I did there? I told you about it without really telling you about it. Sneaky, huh?)

Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that that's why I have a job. This is usually when I'm in the thick of an awesome project. As I was sitting at work the other day, completing the redundant job of folding 125 invitations and putting them in corresponding envelopes, I hearkened back on the things I, my family, and my friends have done, all for an extra penny.

• As a secretary my sister Rebecca cleaned throw-up off of a professor's binder. The throw up was the professors 
• I have wrapped 60 packets of licorice. Curled ribbon and all
• My past roommate woke up and 3:30am to go clean buildings on campus
• Rebecca has set up an entire Playmobil set for her 65 year old boss
• My brother Spencer spent hours of his college life surrounded by and inhaling paint fumes 
• The next door neighbor and friend sacrifices her Saturday mornings, being to work by 7
• A different past roommate sat in the HFAC from 8 until 6 on a Saturday letting students into a try-out room every 15 minutes
• Yet another roommate stood at a sink and scrubbed dishes for 2 hours after serving food for BYU Catering
• I try to deal with emotionally distraught students who can't get in contact with their professor
• At her newer job Rebecca has to scan in thousands of documents in an effort to get an old doctor to use 21st century technology
• I did about 350 hours of transcriptions this summer
• My parents moved away from family in Utah to go to Las Vegas for my dad's work
• I have bruised my wrists from scooping frozen ice cream for 4 hours at a time
• My friend from high school would stand on sugar drenched and super sticky mats, in a shack, for 6 hours selling frozen ice.
• Friends now go to work at all hours. I know of one shift that goes from midnight to 6am
• Rebecca, Spencer and myself have all experienced tomato sauce under the fingernails, onion juice in the eye, the touch of garlic artichoke hearts, and the ever pervasive odor of pizza that clings to your body for hours
• Another friend watches hours of PBS Kids in order to edit and prep them to be aired. (Ok, that isn't too bad. I love me some PBS Kids)
• With help I made 110 crepes...yeah...I'm going to have to wait another year and a half before I can make another crepe
• We all spend oodles of time with people that we probably would never choose to spend time with outside of work
• We wear certain clothes and say certain things
• We willing put ourselves under the orders of someone else and subject ourselves to their every wish and demand

Why do we do these things? For that extra buck, that next raise so that we can go and make our lives better through the things that can only be purchased monetarily. Woot-Woot for capitalism and the American Dream. Are we living it or what? 

What insanity have you experienced for that piece of paper named "paycheck?"

Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for me to transport these heavy boxes of books across campus.

*This blog post is written in a tone meant to convey sarcasm. Please take note that I do enjoy my life and the things that happen in it. I have a good job with good work and a good boss. Only on occasion am I required to do outrageous things for it.*

Spencer and Annie

This is my brother Spencer. He likes to climb rocks.

 This is Spencer's wife, Annie. She also likes to climb rocks.

 They went on a trip to Colorado. This is one of the steep rocks they climbed there.

Because they like to.

They like standing on very small ledges, hundreds of feet in the air...

 ...clinging onto nothing, hundreds of feet in the air...

...and doing the splits for an hour, hundreds of feet in the air. 

Why are they so cool?

estoy lista

estoy lista: I am ready

What am I ready for?

People. I'm ready for people to come back into my life. Fortunately, what with school starting in a week, many people will be returning to me. Others still have more than a year before I see them so I'm going to focus on those people that are coming back now. For example...

2312
BYU 55th
Running buddies
Skyline High School graduates
"What the Crepe" (see last post)

So on and so forth. So people, come to me. I'll be waiting. Have been all summer...

Breakfast at Teacher Ed

Yesterday it was my turn to supply the weekly Friday breakfast for the 5 secretaries at work. My roommate had recently participated in a similar endeavor, and since I think she's pretty cool, I decided maybe I'd try it out as well. The batter was mixed with love, the toppings handpicked, and each edible wonder skillfully flipped. Brittany, Tracie and I might be the best crepe flippers I'm aware of.

That's right, I provided crepes for the work breakfast club.

So because I don't usually prepare food for other people to eat, I was somewhat apprehensive about the reaction and thoughts of those participating in the partaking. One coworker pointed out that the last time he had eaten crepes he had gotten sick and since then had an aversion to the pancake. (He continued to take three) My other coworkers were complimentary in their comments but they're just nice people and wouldn't say anything mean anyway. I was grateful but passed it off as a surface salute and continued to work on my LAST TRANSCRIPTION (but that's another story...)

As I was walking down the hall, past the office where all of my bosses reside, one of them called me in. Somewhat confused I entered the office to see the head of my department holding an empty plate. She had been given a crepe without my knowledge and was thanking me for it, also being very kind in her comments. I thanked her and was about to leave when she stopped me and asked if, instead of having the nearby Kneaders Bakery provide breakfast for the Teacher Education Department open house, I would be willing to make crepes for ALL the attendees.

...Excuse me, what?

Another one of my bosses joined in saying how that would be perfect and so much better than the heavy food Kneaders would provide. Yet another boss also stepped in and gave her support and encouragement.

I was taken aback and extremely flattered. I accepted the responsibility, wondering in amazement at the turn breakfast group had taken that morning.

While I am flattered and proud I feel that recognition should be given to those who truly deserve it. Brittany and Tracie, you made this dream come true. Thank you. Now you can begin preparing yourself for the crepe marathon, happening August 24th-25th. Love you guys.

 ***

 If you would like a crepe creation at your next big event, please let What the Crepe? be apart of it. Contact one of the three owners via blog comment, facebook, or just come visit us at the nearest location! Our apartment doors are always open for business.

Brittany

Tracie

***

Not too shabby

Having a worker at Anthropologie compliment your outfit puts a certain spring in your step.




Some day I'll have money to actually buy something there.

Stuck

Dear Camera Cord,

Where art thou? I can't post about things I've taken pictures of if you are missing from my life. Please, return to me. I'll treat you better than I have in the past.

With love,
Stuck in a Predicament

Mi hermano

We were on vacation over Spencer's birthday so I didn't get the chance to put this up ON his birthday. He probably doesn't read this anyway, but I still love him and here are 26 reasons why:

1. He always has an adventure to go on
2. His legs and hands are more often than not scabbed and scraped from said adventures
3. He has awesome hair, even if we make fun of it constantly
4. He doesn't care what his hair looks like
5. He is very knowledgeable is the scriptures
6. He's also very intelligent with math and numbers (something I wish I could do)
7. He eats a lot but never gains weight (unless it's more muscle)
8. He served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
9. He always remembers his little sisters birthdays
10. He almost got arrested in Mexico twice. Once because he was carrying a brown box for the missionaries there which the police thought was a bomb and another time when he was stealing pesos out of the fountain
11. He often has uncomfortable things happen to him but he rarely ever complains (at least to us. Maybe Annie has a different story)
12. He married Annie who we all love very much
13. He built some sort of rolling contraption to race down the neighborhood hill and named it the Flying Squirrel. It didn't win but was the coolest looking vehicle
14. Sometimes the dirt on his legs is mistaken for being a tan
15. Sometimes when he laughs he can't stop
16. He picked up a branch to hit a monkey that was attacking Caroline. (oh, that's another time he almost got arrested in Mexico)
17. Before he was married he would always have to share a fold out couch with Caroline on vacation
18. He can do an excellent impression of my uncle Richard
19. He's always come back alive from his climbing excursions
20. He remembered when I ran my half marathon and text me to see how it went
21. He curls his toes under his feet when sitting in a chair
22. I've never seen someone change out of Sunday clothes as quickly as him after church
23. He used to have about a glass of chocolate milk everyday 
24. He's always been very talented at the piano
25. He was never too mean or hard on all of us girls
26. He is my brother

Happy Birthday Spence! I'm so glad I have you as my older brother.

You probably aren't as cool as him

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday. He's probably my favorite brother-in-law and here are 23 reasons why.

1. You get along so well with our family
2. You gave Caroline a sweet Lego watch when that was her obsession
3. You helped my mom, Caroline, and me move a truck full of sand (even before you married Rebecca)
4. You put up with me when I was a crazy junior high student and annoying little sister
5. You have been dubbed Scrat from Ice Age
6. You help me with my computer (and my entire family with their computer)
7. You got those tapes ready for my mom for the spook alley she put on (pre-mission project)
8. You built a rocket launcher out of an Altoids can
9. You let Caroline and me launch rockets with you sometimes
10. You came to cheer at my half marathon
11. You laugh at the stupid videos I make you and Rebecca watch
12. You offer me rides home when it's raining
13. You drew that awesome picture of me as a Russian
14. You let me watch movies with you guys
15. You make fun of me playing games at work
16. You don't make a big deal about Celiac stuff (I would)
17. You served diligently on your mission
18. You're up for trying new activities with our family
19. You are the master at board/card games
20. You talk to me at work
21. You married Rebecca
22. You treat Rebecca so well
23. You are my brother-in-law

By Wes

Happy Birthday Wes! I'm very glad for your addition to our family and hope you have a great day.

Heckedy Peg

I don't know how many of you are familiar with this children's story, but it was one of my favorites growing up. In this story, an old woman named Heckedy Peg comes to a house full of children whose mother has left for the day to go into town for groceries. Heckedy Peg is a mean, scary old woman. She knocks on the door saying, "I'm Heckedy Peg, I've lost my leg, please let me in." The children let her in and she kidnaps them. When the mother comes home she must set out to rescue her children but... I'll let you go read the ending. Like I said, it's one of my favorites.

Heckedy Peg is really an atrocious character, but lately I've felt that I can sympathize or relate to her. Not because I want to kidnap children...seriously, I really don't...but because she didn't have a leg. Now, I have both of my legs so you still might be wondering why I feel a sort of affiliation with Heckedy Peg. Let me see if I can explain.

Yesterday I accomplished another one of my summer goals. I ran in a half marathon. (check) And I honestly had fun doing it. It was in a canyon in Springville, Utah, and was one of the prettiest settings I could have asked for. It was early in the morning (I woke up and 4:30) and the canyon was shaded and green and cool. Like I said, I was honestly having a fun time for those first 9 miles. I was also surprised to see my dad along the road. I hadn't thought that my family would be able to come down, but as I rounded one of the bends there he was, cheering me on. I was confused at first but then started laughing and ran over to say hello. Yeah I lost a few seconds on my time but seeing him there was worth it.

The last few miles were tougher (blisters starting popping up at mile 9) but fortunately people who run are pretty nice. I got some extra energy from strangers cheering me on, fellow runners setting a good pace, an old man in the neighborhood who had a mist sprayer out for us to run under, and always my dad off in the distance taking super attractive pictures and what I'm sure are pretty funny videos as well.

I couldn't tell if Dad was taking a picture or a video. Plus a bug probably just  flew up my nose. That tended to happen quite frequently.

I came up on that last 0.1 miles and saw the finish line with tons of people around when I heard my name being yelled. Rebecca and Wes were there along with my dad and Rebecca was yelling my name. "Rachel! Rachel! Run faster! Push it! Push it!" I attempted to run a little bit faster but really just started laughing. Laughing because it had been a good run, the finish line was right there, I knew I looked hilarious trying to push my body to go faster, and because I was happy to see familiar faces cheering me on. Yes, I crossed the finish line smiling. (Ok, that was cheesy)

Yep...me trying to go faster. Rebecca yelling at me to push it. A shirtless man finding amusement at the whole situation.

Check out that knee brace. What up?

I told you I was laughing. Again, shirtless man finds amusement.

Thanks to Wes for taking pictures

This experience and the recovery that came along with it have made me extremely glad for the things I can do.  Yeah, I can run 13.1 miles in about 2 hours. I can walk up and down stairs (something that's been a little bit harder to do as I try to recover) I can use my sweet medal to open beer bottles...err...soda bottles. I can do a lot of things because of my biped status.

So Heckedy Peg, I'm sorry that you lost your leg. I really, truly am. But I am so grateful for my legs, my feet, knee braces, water, Gatorade, bags of frozen vegetables to ice my legs with, socks, shoes, hair elastics, the absence of blisters, alarm clocks, cold baths, encouragement, family, and...my legs.

Let's Have Some Fun

That's right. I got a library card yesterday. I'm excited to use it. Now I can turn heads like Arthur as I swagger into the Provo City Library.


I'm grateful for summer reading.

Who cares if it's not November?

This past Sunday in Relief Society we had a lesson on gratitude. It was good to be reminded of all the great things I have going for me each day. Sometimes I feel like we forget to be grateful unless the day has been specifically set apart and given a special name like, "thanksgiving." I know that I often do. 

As we talked about the benefits of recognizing our blessings everyday, it was pointed out that it's usually the little things that you find you are grateful for. Sometimes they're hard to notice because they are so often overshadowed by the huge and dramatic challenges of each day. 

The teacher had provided us all with little notebooks and invited us to use them to write down the things we were grateful for every day. I've been doing my best to keep up with it, and I've noticed that once you start counting the daily blessings, it's hard to stop. Once you start counting the blessings your attitude changes. I love my gratitude journal. I'm grateful for it.

So, what things happened today that you're grateful for?

Summer 2011

This summer I want to do things that will help me enjoy being in Provo working all day everyday. These things include activities that might not be as extravagant or foreign as previous summers or my friends summers, but they're still going to make this summer.

I want to finally get up on a wakeboard. You'd think after all the boating I've done I'd be able to do this but alas, tis not the case.
I want to go skydiving.
I want to run in a half marathon.
I want to hike Mt. Timpanogos again.
I want to survive getting my wisdom teeth out.
I want to bike to Utah Lake.
I want to have a fire up the canyon.
I want to go to the pool as often as possible.
I want to hike up to the next level up Bridal Veil Falls.
I want to take a road trip to St. George.
I want to take my friends to Logan.
I want to go road biking at least once.
I want to light one of those big fireworks that are usually illegal.
I want to go to Lagoon.
I want to get a henna tattoo.
I want to get razor scooters and scooter all around campus.
I want to go to the park to study as often as possible.
I want to sleep outside a few times.
I want to watch every episode of the Bachelorette.
I want to get a tan from my sandals.
I want to actually sleep on the dock at Hebgen.
I want to go to the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (my first midnight premiere)
I want to go to outdoor movies.
I want to get outside of my comfort zone.

These are just a few. Given I've already done some of these, but that just means that I can be sure to check them off my list come August 29th.

Ugh...let's not think about that day.

check

As I drove back up to Salt Lake Friday night, I was listening to the radio and thinking about what the weekend held for me. I was driving back home for several reasons. Sunday I had the farewells of two of my oldest friends. We grew up on the same street and have known each other since preschool so there was no chance I was missing those talks. My little cousin was baptized on Sunday and being there and spending time with my family is always a blessing. Saturday was what was most prevalent in my mind however and as I contemplated the next 24 hours of my life, this song started to play on good ol' 99.5.

Please don't think that I am dying. I feel quite healthy. But what struck me as ironic about this song playing is that I was going skydiving the very next morning.

Yep. I did it. And it was a blast.

I wasn't quite as nervous as I thought I was going to be. Given that ascending to the proper altitude of 13,000 ft was a little bit of an anxious time, when they opened up the door of the plane and I got to look down over the landscape below, I didn't feel very scared. Just excited. The ground was so far away that it didn't seem like crashing into it would even be a problem. Plus I trusted the nice stranger strapped to my back.

We free fell for about 60 seconds and then parachuted down the rest of the way which was about another 2 minutes. We did some swirls/loops while coming down and then came in for a perfectly smooth landing. Annie also scored a 10 on her landing but my dad and Spencer didn't do so hot.

As I look back on the experience I've made quite a few correlations to doctrinal teachings and lessons, but I'll save those for another time. Right now I'm just going to revel in the fact that I have one more thing checked off my "To Do in Summer" list.

That list should be making an appearance next blog post.


...."I went skydiving, I went Rocky Mountain climbing..."


Hope that's stuck in your head for the rest of the day and that you think of me every time you sing it.

please don't judge

So about a month ago I found a new guilty pleasure and I'm finally ready to admit it to whoever reads this. Are you ready? Let's see if you can guess what it is. I'll give you some hints.

• It's a T.V. show
• It airs every Monday
• The main character is in the pursuit of love
• This love can only be attained while vacationing in Thailand
• Extravagant dates include:

• Dinner in the middle of the Belagio fountains
• Sea kayaking off the coast of Thailand
• Personal concert with Colbie Caillat
• Flying to Vegas for the evening
• Riding elephants through the jungle

• 1 girl, 26 guys

Have you guessed?

The beginning of the week can't come soon enough.

June 20th is a great day

Dear Mom,

You do so much for me and our family that making this list has been easy. But, in honor of tradition, I was limited to the number I could put up. Here are 51 things that I love about you:

1. You brought me and my siblings into this world
2. You are active in the community
3. You took me to the naturescape at Canyon Rim to weed many times throughout my childhood
4. You tease me but I always know you do it out of love (you do, right?)
5. You are an example of humility
6. You are known throughout the neighborhood
7. You've given me someone to brag about (I'm still working on the humility thing)
8. You put Art Festivals on every year at school which benefit hundreds of people
9. You are a teacher that the kids love (I've seen some of the notes)
10. You are up for adventure when most moms would choose to sit out
11. You can't jump on the tramp but sometimes you would anyway
12. You let me experience a little bit of danger (babysitters would never let me)
13. You always made sure I was safe though
14. You made me lunches everyday throughout my elementary school
15. You would occasionally surprise me with a gourmet lunch in junior/high school. I was always much more excited for lunch when I had an extra heavy lunch sack
16. You have taught me to not judge others and always try to see things from a different perspective
17. You brought me dinner when I would be babysitting late
18. You have helped me write quite a few papers (I specifically remember one about a submarine that I was very proud of)
19. You have a sort of obsession with submarine movies (Das Boot and Hunt for Red October)
20. You beat me in ping-pong on a regular basis (I don't love getting beat but I love that you can do that)
21. You like to prank people and have an excellent sense of timing and humor. The pranks are also very clever
22. You know how to teach Relief Society lessons with the Spirit and are consistently finding new and interesting ways of presenting material
23. You'll often hide behind a wall to jump out and scare Dad
24. You hide candy bars around the house so that we won't eat them. It's always fun to find them in odd places
25. You have your specific TV shows that you must watch (Project Runway and Hoarders)
26. You decorate our house so that it looks like something that could be featured in a magazine
27. You know exactly what flowers will look good where in the yard
28. You have pretty, big, blue eyes (Don't listen to your students)
29. You always make delicious dinners and have cool table settings to boot
30. You always make our home a welcoming place to both frequent faces and new visitors
31. You know how to come up with awesome baby/wedding shower games
32. You helped me realize at a young age the blessing that living in this country is by giving me extra lessons outside of school on the Revolutionary War  
33. You've been lovingly realistic with me and helped me get through hard times at school
34. You used to braid Rebecca's, Caroline's and my hair every summer. But not a normal braid. The little braids that covered our head like the kind we got in Mexico
35. You always accepted the ugly bouquets I would pick for you out in the sagebrush at Hebgen
36. You laughed so hard with me when we were hiking back down Halfdome and realized we were barely moving while hiking through the sand at a slight incline (Remember?)
37. You've always wanted a house in the country and have been diligent in making that desire a reality (Now we get to benefit from fun weekends spent there)
38. You would take us on drives in the country on Sunday afternoons
39. You helped me realize that reading a good book was sometimes more enjoyable than watching hours of TV
40. You took me on a walk about 5 years ago in St. George and we just talked
41. You're always up for talking and continue to answer the phone when I call, even though it's probably rough to listen to me complain about work
42. You urged me to practice playing the piano, a talent I'm very grateful to have
43. You'll sometimes just want to watch movie after movie (usually on the holidays)
44. You sometimes choose movies that we can laugh about later (Legend of the Gaurdians: Owls of Ga'hoole anyone?)
45. You often surprise me with articles of clothing when I come home for a weekend
46. You have excellent style and good taste in your purchases. You take the time to get something that you really think someone will like, and they more often than not do like it
47. You've put up with kids that don't know anything but think they know everything
48. You love your parents and are close with your siblings
49. You love Spencer, Rebecca, Caroline and me and show it every day through the sacrifices you make. Most of which we don't even see or realize
50. You married Dad
51. You are my mom

I love you very much and couldn't have been placed in a better family with a more loving and caring mother. Happy birthday. Thanks for being my mom.

weekend of fathers, feathers, family and fabulous fun

I got kind of excited with the title of this blog

As you may know, I have a feather in my hair. Observe.

My dad, Kirk, is cool. So when he found a feather in the yard of our Logan home, he decided to imitate this recent fashion. Observe.

Yeah, he kept it in all day. He's a fashionista. And we love him for it. 

Glad he's mine.

Going to Logan is always fun for me. It's relaxing, has beautiful scenery, and I get to spend time with my family. While we may tease each other a lot, I think I laugh hardest while with them. All of these things make Logan a great place, but every time I go there I'm also so impressed with the architecture of the actual house. 

It's beautiful.

It was built in 1879.

By someone named Peter Peterson. (coolest name ever?)

This is what it looks like:

My mom has done a great job of accenting the 1879 elements while working the 21st century elements into the home as well. It's the perfect mix and we love having visitors. This weekend my aunts Nancy and Linda joined us for the getaway and attended the Summerfest Art's Festival held on the lawns of the Logan Tabernacle. Things were expensive but Linda bought a beautiful landscape painting, we all delighted in chocolate strawberries, caramel apples, and three layer chocolate mousse. I also purchased this little accessory.

Oh, and what's that on my wrist? Perhaps a little bit of henna?

It is.

Props to my mom for free handing the whole thing.

So, that's what I did this weekend. I didn't have any homework to worry about and am super happy to say that I won't have any for the next 7 weeks. Sorry to all of those who are going to Summer term. It was a superb weekend and ended perfectly with the whole family (Dad, Mom, Spencer, Annie, Rebecca, Wes, me, Caroline) together at my Salt Lake home for a Father's Day dinner/Mom's birthday dinner. I love being together.

Who's to blame?

Dear person who schedules finals,

Do you really expect me to be able to think at 7 in the morning, let alone ponder the unanswerable questions of this world?

Sincerely,
I blame my philosophy grade on you.

Dilemma

Money.

That's my dilemma. I go to work to make it but then what? What would you do with your money?

1. Put it in the bank; that's what you've always done
2. Put it in the bank; you might need to help put a spouse through school
3. Put it in the bank; there's that really appealing study abroad you've been looking at
4. Take it out of the bank and buy this beauty

Those are my options. What do you choose? 

(These options all take place after the unspoken assumption that a tenth of the money is first dedicated to tithing. Well...I guess it's not an unspoken assumption anymore)

call me crazy

This summer has been very different from the last. One year ago I was looking over Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, exploring an old castle in Assisi, Italy, touring the salt mines of Germany, hiking to the top of Yosemite valley, pondering at the majesty of the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove, laughing with my friends on a road trip to the best place on earth...

This summer has been very different from the last. I have been in Provo, pondering the unanswerable questions of philosophy, going up the canyon, to the pool, attending concerts, trying to wrap my head around philosophy, taking trips to Salt Lake, seeing my friends off on their missions, going crazy over philosophy...

I'm going to be in Provo for the rest of the summer, clocking in daily at the McKay Building. Making some big bucks....(cough cough) Despite the fun that this future radiates, I decided to participate in a few activities that I never thought I would. Hopefully these things spice up the summer a little:

June 25th: Skydiving with Dad, Spencer, and Annie

July 9th: Hobbler Half Marathon (hopefully I won't have to hobble the whole way)

Some Saturday: Take a 3rd trip up Mt. Timpanogos

Who needs to travel the world to have fun, right?

Well that made me smile...

Earlier this evening I made the weekly trip to the grocery store. Personally, grocery shopping is one of my least favorite things to do, but as I have begun to cultivate my domestic skills while experimenting in the kitchen (no disasters thus far) it has become less gruesome. It helped today that I had a catchy song stuck in my head and that I had just spent the last 2 hours outside enjoying the nice weather.

The clerk at the checkout was nice as was the bagger. It just seemed like everyone was happy and it was making me happier. I didn't think much of my happy mood, just accepted it for what it was. As I began to load my groceries into the back of my car, something that's never happened to me before happened. Just as I went for the next bag of groceries, two hands appeared and took it before I could reach it. A little bit worried about the safety of my chicken, I looked up into the face of a very handsome stranger. I just kind of stood there as he continued to load the rest of my groceries into the back of my car. I was astounded. This type of thing doesn't happen to me. It's never happened to me. I finally got over my shock and found my words, thanking him for his help. He smiled and responded with a simple, "You're more than welcome," and proceeded to take my cart and return it for me.

After standing there for a few moments, I finally got into my car and drove away, kicking myself for not being more charming and social. Heck, I didn't even introduce myself to him! As sad as that is, I couldn't help but smile all the way home from the store.

Dear Handsome Stranger,
My name is Rachel. I'm sorry for not being able to talk while you helped me with my groceries. I was so astonished at what was happening. Thank you for restoring some of my hope in your gender. Feel free to call me.
Sincerely,
That awkward girl you just helped

P.S. Do you always go to Macey's on Thursday nights?

You can call me Pocahontas

So there's a new style sweeping through the student population. One word:

Feathers.

Love her or hate her for stealing Justin from us,
 Selena seems to be flying high with her feather features.


Wow. I should apply for Seventeen magazine.

Is this fashion going to soar or plummet? Do you like the look?

I hope you say yes, because I just feathered up my "do."