Life Off Book!

I can't believe I didn't mention this!!

2011-04-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well, life is WONDERFUL! Everyday something spectacular happens! In the picture above I am holding my mission call and the sign on the door says "caution amazing news inside!"
I have been called to serve for 18 months in the Maryland Baltimore mission! I am so excited! I report on June 8th!

My Boys Brought The Superbowl Home!

2011-02-06T22:50:00.000-08:00

Who is this glorious man you might ask? His name is Aaron Rodgers, and he is this superbowl's MVP. Why? Because he brought it home. The next jersey I wear will be his. He came to win, and win he did! I am so grateful! I loved this game, it kept me on the edge of my seat! I went to an awesome party, filled with Steelers fans, who also happen to be my family! They were so nice to me about the whole thing, that's not to say they were happy about it, but at least they let me have my moment. I supported them in years past after all.

My mom, she wore my sister's jersey, but she supported me emotionally throughout the game. She is my favorite!

My wonderful family, What would I do without them? They look really happy in this picture... it was taken before they lost. But don't worry they all still love me!

Thoroughly Modern Mary (Millie)!

2011-02-06T02:05:00.000-08:00

I Love this show! I went to see Thoroughly Modern Millie at Green Valley High School. I have a new goal role!!

MRS. MEERS:
"They don't know my flair for the dramatic
Not a clue, the talent I possess
Pretty girls, but not much in the attic
Face-to-face with genius, and they never guess

They don't know they're staring at an artist
Highly trained to take on any role
Skillful mime, and brilliant laundry cart-ist
Seeking retribution for the life they stole

I almost acted Chekhov, Ibsen, Shaw, Moliere
I almost starred as Peter Pan; imagine moi midair!
I almost tackled Shakespeare, a blushing Juliet
And if the house were big enough I still could play her yet!

They don't know I'm hotter news than Duse
Helen Hayes and Bernhardt all in one
They're on top, and I look like the loser
Wait and see who's standing when my play is done

So welcome all ye bright young ladies
You're checking into Hotel Hades
I won't stand by while critics praise ya
You're getting shipped to Southeast Asia
But they don't know, they don't know
Sad to be all alone in the world
But they don't know"

the toasted coconut: Custom Order

2011-01-27T00:44:00.000-08:00

the toasted coconut: Custom Order: "I was sent a bunch of wonderful antique buttons from a girl in Las Vegas- she wanted me to come up with some accessories for her. Here..."

Some of the buttons were antiques, I got them from my grandmother, and some were more recent, but I am so excited!!

day 30. a photo of you when you were happy

2011-01-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

I loved this trip! JP KP and RR and I were out for ice cream in Cali!

day 28. a photo of what you ate today

2011-01-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

Enchiladas, these are not the ones I ate, but I ate my own homemade enchiladas!

day 27. a photo of last summer

2011-01-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

I was lookin like my Nana!

day 26. a photo of your favorite weekend

2011-01-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

The Marriage of Figaro!

This is a gorgeous shot of my favorite song in the Opera I worked on this fall. I hope Rebekah doesn't mind me using this shot!

To be fair it was longer than a weekend, but what a pleasure!

day 25. a photo of a night you loved

2011-01-03T09:34:00.000-08:00

This was the Zombie apocalypse!!

day 24. a photo of you that your hair looks nice in

2011-01-03T09:33:00.001-08:00

Prom 07, this picture deserves a blog moment. I loved that look!

day 23. a photo of your friend as a baby

2011-01-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

This is my beautiful friend Becca H! She is so wonderful and talented!!

And this is the after picture. She is going to be famous by the way!!

day 22. a photo of your town

2010-12-10T08:50:00.001-08:00

yes this is absolutely my home town! I LOVE IT!!

day 21. a photo of you standing up

2010-12-07T08:22:00.000-08:00

I was standing atop the stairs in my zombie GARB

day 20. a photo of something you enjoy doing

2010-12-07T08:20:00.001-08:00

We were playing IN COGNITO! I love playing with Franny!

day 19. a photo of you on a school trip

2010-12-05T16:02:00.000-08:00

I went on a mini church history tour, and This is at Carthage. It was so beautiful!!

day 18. a photo of one of your classes

2010-12-05T15:30:00.000-08:00

Back in the day, I took Biddi's last acting class. This was an awesome class!!

day 17. a drunk photo of you

2010-12-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

Lets be real, I have never been drunk! I am pretty awesome like that! This picture is me and my co-ASM Kristina during a music rehearsal for the opera in room 153. We were being goofy and trying to look awesome like our singers!

day 16. a photo of you at the last party you went to

2010-12-01T11:12:00.000-08:00

David had his birthday, so we had DENNY's. Our server Levi took the picture, he was a real gem!

day 15. a photo of you and someone you love

2010-11-29T02:35:00.000-08:00

These two ladies I love sooo much! And thanks to my sister Anna it was a COACH Christmas after all! This is my house on that wonderful morning of Dec. 25th, 2009. Next to me is my Nana and in the front is my mommy!

14. a photo of one of your favourite family members

2010-11-27T23:49:00.001-08:00

These are my Aussie cousins! I got to see them this summer, which I seldomly get to do! I love them loads!
Carrie is on the left, and she is so fun! Girls night is always a hundred times better if she can be there!
There on the left is Christopher, we call him Chris, which might confuse some people because his mom is Christine and we call her Chris too. He is great fun and is remembered by my best friend Amanda for such quotes as "Is that a beer? You're not goin to Heaven anymore."

day 13. a photo of your best friend(s)

2010-11-27T07:43:00.001-08:00

These three ladies deserve a round of applause! I would gladly take a bullet for each of them! I am missing them ALL alot today, because I am in SLC without my Amanda (Vegas), Lisa (Germany), or my Franny (Rexburg)! These ladies do so mcuch to make this life awesome!

day 12. a photo of you

2010-11-26T21:20:00.000-08:00

This is my HP mugshot. I saw it despite my otherwise awesome reputation. I loved it! but this was in case we got arrested, we took care of it already!

day 11. a photo of your favourite film(s)

2010-11-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

This winter I fulfilled a nerd dream of mine and I went to Salzburg and went on the SOUND OF MUSIC tour. Needless to say Julie Andrews is my HERO!!

day 10. a photo of you as a baby

2010-11-24T21:47:00.001-08:00

This pic comes straight off the hall of shame!! but it is one of my very favorites!

day 9. a photo of your family

2010-11-23T20:12:00.000-08:00

This year we updated at my sister Patty's wedding (she is the one in the white dress in the middle.)

Christmas List

2010-11-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

Mom: all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth! No, really, thats it.

The rest of the world: Mostly practical stuff

But if you want to be slightly impractical:

just sampled it, and I LOVE IT!!!!! soubtle floriental fragrance, man, I wish I already bought it, but I am trying to be practical.

also, on a tackier note, I really like the mmmmvelopes from the previous post!

day 8. a photo of your favourite band/musician

2010-11-22T16:29:00.000-08:00

THE WHO, they need no introduction, you should love them, I know I do!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

2010-11-20T22:25:00.000-08:00

day 7. a photo of someone you love

2010-11-20T21:20:00.001-08:00

Someone I love: contrary to popular beleif this girl is not my twin, but she is my big sister!
She was here first, so I guess I look like her, not the other way around! plus, we sound the SAME! Call her phone one day, and I may just answer, not that anyone would notice the difference! I am so blessed, I even get to stay with Patty and her wonderful husband Lee for this whole week!

TRUST ME I EAT BACON - BACON T-SHIRTS

2010-11-20T01:45:00.000-08:00

I kind of really like fun T-shirts and bacon paraphernalia.

TRUST ME I EAT BACON - BACON T-SHIRTS

I love bacon, and there are some things that are on my, if I were cooler this would be on my Christmas list!

http://www.baconwrappedtees.com/BACON-SHIRTS/TURKEY-BACON-FAKIN-T-SHIRT-BACON-T-SHIRT.htm

http://www.baconwrappedtees.com/BACON-SHIRTS/POWERED-BY-BACON-T-SHIRT-BACON-T-SHIRTS.htm

http://www.baconwrappedtees.com/BACON-SHIRTS/WHEN-LIFE-GIVES-YOU-LEMONS-WRAP-IN-BACON-T-SHIRT-BACON-T-SHIRTS.htm

http://www.baconwrappedtees.com/BACON-SHIRTS/IVE-GOT-THE-BACON-SO-I-MAKE-THE-RULES-T-SHIRT-BACON-T-SHIRTS.htm

http://www.cafepress.com/baconation.430741804

http://www.cafepress.com/baconation.416663780 ("I love peace, peace is my favorite!" - random checkout girl at broulims )

http://www.jdfoods.net/products/baconsalt.php

http://www.cafepress.com/baconation.374886892

http://store.baconsalt.com/JDs-Bacon-Jones-Soda-Gift-Pack_p_103.html (really intrigued by this!! but here is the thing: I really want it!)

http://store.baconsalt.com/JDs-Bacon-Flavored-Mmmvelopes-3-packs-of-25_p_70.html (you can buy this for me for my mission if you want, I would love to send you letters in bacon flavored envelopes!)

http://store.baconsalt.com/Bacon-Baby-Infant-Formula--WAITING-LIST-ONLY_p_84.html (when the day that I am a mother comes, please remind me this exists!!)

http://www.snorgtees.com/keep-calm-and-bacon-on

http://www.snorgtees.com/you-had-me-at-bacon (So, the thing is, I would not only wear this, but I would talk to someone I had never met, based on the fact they owned it!)

http://www.6dollarshirts.com/product.php?productid=11330&cat=0&page=1

http://www.etsy.com/listing/13992199/eggs-and-bacon-belt (that can NOT be the real price!!)

http://www.worleygig.com/2009/11/bacon-thing-of-the-day-bacon-halloween-costumes/ (I would wear this, oh yes)

On a non bacon related note, I also love these!!

http://www.badideatshirts.com/IM-MOMS-FAVORITE-FUNNY-T-SHIRT--P740.aspx

http://www.badideatshirts.com/THATS-HOW-I-ROLL-2-FUNNY-T-Shirt--P22.aspx (although I did finally learn to ride a bike when I was in Germany.)

http://www.badideatshirts.com/ADHD-HIGHWAY-TO-DISTRACTION-T-SHIRT-P1197.aspx

http://www.6dollarshirts.com/product.php?productid=11406&cat=0&page=1 (the pirate in me needs to own this!)

http://www.snorgtees.com/an-apple-a-day-will-keep-anyone-away

http://www.badideatshirts.com/I-TRIED-IT-AT-HOME-T-SHIRT-P1364.aspx

http://www.badideatshirts.com/THE-EH-TEAM-T-SHIRT--P1164.aspx (I found this and wanted it to wear in honor of all my favorite Canadians!)

http://www.6dollarshirts.com/product.php?productid=11238&cat=0&page=1 (I'm from Vegas, and yes I am local, not a tourist, don't even try it.)

http://www.6dollarshirts.com/product.php?productid=11125&cat=0&page=2 (I'm a desert rat, which is why Idaho and it's snow is less amusing than you would think, but yes I did wear flip flops in the winter in the alps)

day 6. a photo that makes you laugh

2010-11-20T00:03:00.001-08:00

He took this photo himself in the Black box, silly Gary!

day 5. a photo of you

2010-11-19T02:21:00.001-08:00

Fall 2008, as you can tell from the political sticker, I had a democrat meeting before makeup class. Kristina T built me this beard.

day 4. a photo of the last place you went on holiday

2010-11-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

I went to conference. and I loved it! I can't wait till April!

day 3. a photo that makes you happy

2010-11-16T23:38:00.000-08:00

A photo that makes me happy: the day that we made history! Me and (currently Elder) Daniel Hyer at the Democrat results watching party for the Nov 08 presidential election. We wore all blue, down to the gum!

Day 2

2010-11-15T23:59:00.000-08:00

day 2. a photo of yourself a year ago

This was almost a year ago to date. This is me as Pioneer Song ASM with Alea Crisco as my prop mistress. We were red lipped ninjas!

2010-11-15T00:28:00.000-08:00

I was just perusing a few of my friends' blogs and I found something really interesting.

http://julieadventures.tumblr.com/post/975418530/cool-little-photo-challenge

day 1. your facebook profile photo
day 2. a photo of yourself a year ago
day 3. a photo that makes you happy
day 4. a photo of the last place you went on holiday
day 5. a photo of you
day 6. a photo that makes you laugh
day 7. a photo of someone you love
day 8. a photo of your favourite band/musician
day 9. a photo of your family
day 10. a photo of you as a baby
day 11. a photo of your favourite film(s)
day 12. a photo of you
day 13. a photo of your best friend(s)
day 14. a photo of one of your favourite family members
day 15. a photo of you and someone you love
day 16. a photo of you at the last party you went to
day 17. a drunk photo of you
day 18. a photo of one of your classes
day 19. a photo of you on a school trip
day 20. a photo of something you enjoy doing
day 21. a photo of you standing up
day 22. a photo of your town
day 23. a photo of your friend as a baby
day 24. a photo of you that your hair looks nice in
day 25. a photo of a night you loved
day 26. a photo of your favorite weekend
day 27. a photo of last summer
day 28. a photo of what you ate today
day 29. a photo of someone you find attractive
day 30. a photo of you when you were happy

So today is day one. Thank you costume shop for providing the dress for this photo, the rest of the work was me and Franny. So I love it!

The Livin is EASY

2010-09-03T13:28:00.001-07:00

My Summer was AMAZING! Here are a few things that you missed if you didn't get to be a part of it yet, there are still a few days!

I spent two weeks in California with this guy. What an amazing friend you are David!!

This is Kellie Mallon, she is David's Stage Manager!! I worked on the casting panel for his show! Message me if you want to see THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO in San Diego County this fall!

I turned 21!!! Don't worry or get excited its a VIRGIN drink! David was right! Stawberry Daquiris are delish!!

YUMM!!!

Beginners luck!

I really didn't think I would get anything!

my other cake, courtesy of the RED ROCK buffet and my mom's creativity!

My beautiful new laptop, still working on a name, how bout Jack Kelley?

This makes for an excellent birthday!!!

Did I mention it was excellent??

THANKS MOM!!
I love my summer!!!!!

2010-07-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

Another semester has come and gone. They seem to be going faster all the time. Here are some of the semester highlights!

Nana turned80! even theaustralin came to the party!

Patty got married!!

And we danced, albeit not very well! Plus we had a few special guests, like LISA!!!

Amanda came! This was her first Mormon wedding reception!

Which meant there was no alchohol....

Lisa visited Idaho with me! My awesome roommate Shannon was from Blackfoot! Her daddy let us ride the communist, er I mean capitalist horses! JK!

I got a job! I work on the lighting crew, which is where I met David! And, my final acting scene partner was Rachel. With their powers combined, I got to know Megan and Olivia too! How I never knew these people is a mystery, but don't worry we are all together now!! well, not technically due to the semester ending haha!

PS, David got his mission call today!! Bolivia, Chochabamba (he says its near Peru!)

I went to the annual Gray/Ogg bbq just after my spray tan!

There is so much more!! like all my shop adventures with Franny, and almost kareoke night with Shanny!!

YAY FOR LIFE!

BACK TO THE BURG

2010-04-24T12:17:00.001-07:00

I LOVE HOME! Home means so many things to so many people. It even means alot of different things to me! I'm back to one of my homes, aka the burg!
My classes are going to be tough, but absolutely AMAZING!
I get to be in the burg in a two person apartment with amazing classes!
My big sister drove me up here the day after I bought my bridesmaid's dress in Pool from David's. We also went to a provo pirate pizza place!
A couple days ago I got a letter from Elder Hyer! I was so excited! He is in Chile and is serving the Lord with Honor! He is such a great guy and friend!
Life is super!! I just couldn't help but tell you all how awesome life is!

Ich habe ein ohrwurm!

2010-04-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

I LOVE HEIDENHEIM!!

I have gone a few awesome places since moving to Heidenheim. Here are some adventure pics from Tübing, Freiburg, Hamburg, and lots of lovely random forest locations!

TÜBING

I went to Tübing, this was one of my very favorite buildings!

This was probably the 4th Macbeth I have found out about and not been able to go to in the last three months!

FREIBURG

In Freiburg I visited a spectacular church, but sadly stained glass windows are still a photagraphical mystery to me!

Lisa and I tried to make JPs world famous corn salsa, but had to invent our own variation based on availability of needed ingredients. This was our best adaptation!

HAMBURG

I took every step to the top of the tallest church in Hamburg, this was the veiw from the top. The green topped building is the city hall.

This was at the Hamburg DOM. I guess everzone has their own adaptation of this sign!

SWARZWALD

This moment in time truly reminded me of the late Bob Ross. They were such happy little trees!

So, as you all know, I am the kind of person that has a song stuck in her head, and often shares it, about 100% of the time. So, imagine my excitement when I found out that this particular situation has its own word in German! The word is ohrwurm. I kept thinking, "I sure wish we had a word for that in English, guess what, WE DO!! Its EARWORM! yep, I intend to use it, so get used to it.

2010-03-15T03:08:00.000-07:00

Hey, its been too long!
here are some things you have missed!

I introduced the family to OREOS! I was sooo excited to eat milk's favorite cookie! Linda liked them!

I went to Graz, and I found a cemetary. I LOVE CEMETARIES!!

This is the most significant art in the city of Graz. It was painted in 1485 by Thomas of Villach.
It is the oldest and earliest view of the city of Graz available!
Its called the plagues of God, the turks invaded, a plague killed many, and locusts ravaged the crops all in the same year!

I WENT ON THE SOUND OF MUSIC TOUR!!!! it was really a nerd dream come true. it was snowing, so it didn't look like the movie exactly, but thats ok.
I LOVE JULIE ANDREWS, if I could be as cool as her, life would be awesome!!
The scene that took place in this pavilion is a testament to the importance of the use of non slip soles on your shoes!
Also, last week I moved to Germany. I now live in Heidenheim Germany. I love it here. Art and culture abound, especially when you are in GREAT company!!

2010-02-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from this past week!

This is when I intoduced Linda to the ipod, I think she likes it!

veiw from my bedroom window

Our wall around the yard, which I love!

panoramic veiw from my back porch

veiw from back porch

The following pictures are my photo essay tribute to 2009! What an epic year!

I was in an acting classThese were my fall roommates!

Yeah, I saw Wicked! super awesome show!

fourth of July! actually the third!

that's when I got to see these two!

I took a trip to Nauvoo and some other awesome church history sites!

Bro. Wahlquist, best religion teacher ever!

a blast from the past, actually this is my head!

The hole in the door, the same bullet that made that hole also killed Hyrum Smith.

The window the martyred prophet fell\jumped prior to death.

That's the end of the church history pics, boy those were some awesome days!

these two red heads got married!

my cousin got married in Cali at the beach.

Daniel Hyer got his mission call!

The next pictures of the sweet Whitney, she is Manda's baby girl!

I was priviliged to work on Pioneer Song! I was the ASM!

Me in my holiday costume, Emilia in her Tartuffe garb! She reminded me of a Christmas pioneer from Hungary.

All Hallow's Eve with Clarrissa Lemke the costume queen, also with Becca Black, but she is not as thrilled about being photographed as Clarrissa is!

She met this awesome guy! She and Lee are now engaged!

Patty graduated from culinary school!

His voice changed, remember Peter Brady?

I got to go to the annual BBQ at the Gray\Ogg residence!

Patty moved to SLC!

She works on temple square!

I was a mary kay girl for about ten seconds.

This pictures are in no particular order, its just a collection of the annual highlights!

The year is over, it was a hard year, filled with some tears and smiles. We must know the bitter to know the sweet. Lets hope 2010 brings more smiles than the year before, and that it brings less tears than the year before.

Austrian Adventure Blog starts now!

2010-01-23T11:30:00.001-08:00

Well I have been here for nearly two weeks and this is just a taste of it all! I have had an amazing time! This is a beautiful country full of great food company and language! In that way it reminds me a little bit of the costume shop!

Because I can not possibly tell you everything that has happened I will include some pictures I have taken so far!

This is me when I first arrived in Vienna. I was tired, but as I made the mistake of sleeping on the plane I didn't sleep a wink when I was in my hotel!

Well, I couldn't sleep, so I took the time to get ready, really early! I was getting a little tired at this point though!

When the sun did finally come up this is what I could see out my window in Vienna. It reminds me a little of Rexburg actually! But, beleive it or not it is warmer here!

I came bearing gifts, they were well received! This little darling is named Linda! I spend a lot of time with her! But, I'm really sure she is much better at understanding German than I am, and she is 21 months old. Umm, is it sad when I realize I'm not smart enough to talk to the two year old?

Time for a bath? No way! She's just cheesin it for the camera! What a ham!

Yesterday I made bread! That's right folks, my classic Sweet Amish White Bread has officially gone global! I had to make white bread so I could make grilled cheese for the family! They don't have grilled cheese here, they can make so many fantastic foods, why make grilled cheese right? Also, they don't have cheddar or american cheese so we improvised a little! They didn't have a bread pan so i just shaped it and baked it into one giant loaf. I put a steak knife in the picture for scale.

These are two of my favorite Alps pictures so far!

FYI I'm on a facebook fast. It's been about a month since I've been on, and another month before I return I think. If you want to get a hold of me just email me at gri07008@byui.edu

Dreams really do come true!!

2009-12-28T08:45:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since I have written! Here is the update. I have a family in Austria, so that is where I am headed. I leave for Vienna in ten days, and while I am not packed I am almost emotionally ready. I just need some quality time with my favorite peeps before I go! I never knew it could be this way, I’m nervous and excited. I cannot wait to go! I will be a big sister to a beautiful little girl! Her name is Linda!

I am so blessed! How did I ever get to this point in my life? This is the part of my life I never dared to dream of as a little girl, it’s too good of a wish to make and not be true, so for years I never dared to make it!

I have a family in Austria!!!!!

2009-12-16T07:40:00.000-08:00

Here’s an update!
Finals week is half over, and I think that the worst is done now. I’ve been busy, but have found a little time to enjoy life in the mean time.
I just accepted an offer from a host family in Steinfeld, Corinthia, Austria. Even though I’m pretty muc ha city girl, this town is in the countryside, my host mom even referred to it as a village. But I prayed about going, and it feels right. I will have time and space to really get to know myself. This is something that I know I am meant to do. I will make my full payment on Friday, and then start to look for affordable flights to whatever airport is deemed the most ideal for me to fly into! It seems to me that life is going just beautifully! I am at peace.
Here are a couple of pictures that I have found of my future home in Austria!

Its incredible isn't it!!!

O dear friends, all at once, Winter's here!

2009-12-03T00:46:00.000-08:00

A short rant on the lack of ability to read in college:
The reason for this rant takes place in the greenroom for “Pioneer Song”. We have signs on both sides of the entrances into the greenroom area instructing people to go around and not go through the greenroom because it is for cast and crew members only. Either people don’t care, or there is an astounding number of people here at BYU-I that cannot read, because regardless of the signs, constantly people try to walk through. We try to redirect them as best we can. I try to be nice about it but everyone reacts differently. My first question after you enter my greenroom is “are you involved in Pioneer Song?” and if the answer is no then I ask them to please exit the greenroom the way they came and choose another route in order to maintain some order. The difference is how they respond to my requests or the requests of my crew members.
Today one girl came to the glass door and read the sign asking people to go around, and just came in regardless. I asked her if she was involved in the production, she didn’t even look in my direction, and when I finally did get her attention and let her know she needed to take a different route, and without once looking at me she said in a passerby tone, “sorry…no.” and went through the doors. I did shout out “Learn to read! Bye!” she knew and saw the signs of what she should be doing, but she crossed the line knowingly and ignored me the whole way and dismissed me as though the show and I were nothing. I know I wanted to sit that girl down and give her a few lessons about manners.
This previous story is either an excellent example of illiteracy or an excellent example of a lack of common courtesy… you decide which.
In other news, I am still waiting for a host family to pick me. I have the feeling I will be chosen, I am just getting nervous, after all I am my mother’s daughter.
I cannot tell you how sad it makes me though, to realize that the people I have spent every night of my semester with won’t be there every day with me anymore. I think the only thing about the play ending that I am looking forward to is the time to do work, because I love this play. I’m not ready to part with it!!
With just a few days left of “Pioneer Song” I am coming to realize that it is basically my whole life at the moment. I am tempted to wonder what to do with all that extra time, but let’s face it, we know I am going to have to use that time to make sure this semester ends well academically.
Another side effect of never being home: I have no clue what is going on within my own apartment. I often go days without seeing some of my roommates. I do miss that bonding time. I also miss major events and only arrive home for the aftermath, whether it be heartbreak or almost abandon apartment moments, I never know what to expect any more. I just hope that I will be able to be a good roommate to them once the play is over, even though there will only be two weeks left, I want to end this semester on a good note with everyone, roommates, landlord, teachers, parents and friends! So HERE’S HOPING!

We've come a long way since Fall 07 haven't we?

2009-10-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

WOW!!
So now I am allowed to say things out loud about how excited I am!!
Meet Rochele and Kevin Fillmore!
My first semester up here at BYU-I I moved into Chapman Hall, aka “the box”.

The apartments were small and didn’t have a kitchen, but we had a lot of fun! It was all of our first semesters up here and we hung out constantly. Among those I lived with were Janet Brown, Sara Strawberry Cocanour, Grace Tobler, Gracie Bickel, and Rochele Stanley (now Rochele Fillmore). We have all had a lot of changes since our first basketball games in the Hart building. Some changes that happened are: Sara Strawberry now goes to UNR (we miss her a lot up here!!), and Grace is about to be married in just a few short weeks!! Most especially, Rochele married Kevin, who went to the MTC with my sister.
This blog post is mostly about them.
I have always had some issues with the whole BYU-I get married young situation. This time didn’t seem like it would be any different. I met Rochele on my first day in Idaho. She and I both talked about how we would wait to get married, after all we were still both so young! We would hear about marriage up here all the time and even roll our eyes a little. Only a few days earlier I had dropped my math class but kept my book. So since I wasn’t using it I told Rochele she could borrow it since I would need it the next semester. Apartment 456 made nightly visits to the Hart to play Basketball. One particular night soon after starting the math class Rochele announces that a boy from math class asked if she could join our game. Of course being the wonderful roommates we were we teased her about how this boy liked her and how she would probably end up going on a date with him. She reassured us saying that it wasn’t like that and he was just coming for fun. By the end of the night we were all determined that they would spark a relationship, especially since he walked her home, even though all her roommates were also going home.
There were very few days after that night that we didn’t see Kevin. After dating for a few weeks they had started to talk about marriage. My first reaction to that was that it seemed entirely too soon. But for some reason these two pieces of an adorable puzzle just seemed right. I told Rochele that if she wanted to marry him, I couldn’t be happier for her. He is a good man, and they were just so right.

And so to fast forward a few months the following new years day was also Rochele’s 19th birthday, which is the same day that Kevin popped the question, lovingly taking into consideration her previous lack of wanting to be 18 and engaged. They were married in March, it was fast and that fast is not for everyone, but it certainly did work for these two!
Fast Forward again to today. It’s just over two years after we first met Kevin on that basket ball court. They have been married for about a year and a half and now baby Fillmore is on its way! I’m so excited!! They will make amazing parents! Congratulations you two! I love you so much!

"PIONEER SONG" cast and crew I LOVE YOU!!

2009-10-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

“Our work, our everyday labor, our whole lives are within the scope of our religion. This is what we believe and what we try to practice. Yet the Lord permits a great many things that he never commands ... The Lord never commanded me to dance, yet I have danced ... while the Lord has never commanded me to do it, he has permitted it. I do not know that he ever commanded the boys to go and play at ball, yet he permits it. I am not aware that he ever commanded us to build a theater, but he has permitted it, and I can give the reason why. Recreation and diversion are as necessary to our well-being as the more serious pursuits of life.” - Brigham Young
I am not commanded to love theatre the way I do, but I am permitted to. I am not commanded to rise and fall with the curtains, but I am permitted to. The way I live my life is good, it is not commanded, but my Heavenly Father has permitted me to live a life full of joy. I am happy. I have always loved this life, and am blessed that the things that I love are permitted for me. What a blessing.
My days are full of rehearsals. I live and breathe this play. I get up for it in the morning, and sleep for it at night. And yet, I know that it is for a good and wise purpose. The members of this cast are so wonderful. I learn something from each of them daily. We have such a diverse range of people. I am grateful for all of their dedication. Some of our cast members are parents, and spouses who work, or singles that have jobs while going to school, we even have a member of our cast who isn’t yet old enough to be in high school. We all have busy lives, and could be doing other things, but I am grateful that we have all come together to create something amazing. This has truly blessed my life. Thank you cast and crew of “Pioneer Song”. You are my inspiration!

And so the lack of sleep intensifies....

2009-10-22T03:03:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to this semester’s first all-nighter! I am so exhausted and it is all downhill from here! But if I go to sleep at this point I won’t wake up for my eight o’clock class. So the plan is that I’m going to go hit the showers and get ready for the day now, I know its early, but I will get ready now so that when I am ready I can head to the snow building really early. I plan to nap until my classmates arrive and hopefully wake me up! There is so much to be done today, and if I don’t explode it will be a really productive day. But, that is only provided I don’t explode. It is now 4 am on a Thursday morning…. Ouch!
Three years ago I would have woken up in a half hour to get up and get ready for seminary. Seminary started at six, but we always left at five thirty so I wouldn’t be late. Well, I’m going to go take that shower now so I can have a longer nap later! K, have great sleep all that were so lucky!

enjoy the simple things in life!

2009-10-18T23:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight Karlan, Emilia, Dan and I baked a sacher torte! and the ganache was amazing! we just sat and laughed until Emilia tried to get up and almost smashed my toe to a bloody pulp. there was no big extravagant thing happening... and then after some drama Karlan and I ended up, guess where! we ended up in the snow. big surprise, and Becca just came to the snow to grab some buttons for a coat she was fixing... even on Sunday nights... if you live in the snow for real, there is still stuff happening there with the people you know!
nothing extravagant, i just want to get into the habit of blogging more....

Well, its about time I catch everybody up!

2009-10-16T23:11:00.000-07:00

So the last blog on here is also my first! Not to worry, this one fixes that problem. This semester has been AMAZING! So many things have just worked perfectly in my favor.

First, this picture was taken in my sister’s beloved cranberry Saturn, Hermie. We were driving from SLC to Vegas. All the landscape basically looks the same, but just then for whatever reason it felt magical, like good things were coming my way. “water from the rocks, a sign!”
The play I wanted to work with was mysteriously still without an assistant stage manager, and I was offered the position! I love it so much! It is all about the stories of really strong women and what they had to go through in order to get across the plains. Being assistant stage manager means that even though the actors feel like they are there forever, I am there way longer than them! I couldn’t do it if I didn’t love it. It takes a lot of dedication to spend a minimum of four hours just on the play every day, but I cherish it. Some of my friends outside the theatre don’t understand my willingness to be there so often and for so long, but I don’t just do theatre because it’s fun. I am involved in the theatre because I must be. I love it so much that I couldn’t do anything else for the rest of my life and be truly happy.
GEOVISIONS CONVERSATION CORPS-GERMANY!!
I am so excited! In January I pack my bags and move to Germany for three months. I will live with a host family and teach English in their home 15 hours a week. I hope they like me! This seems almost too good to be true, but it is true. For anyone who knows me, this is not my first “rodeo” with Germany. No, my love affair with Germany began years ago, when I learned that I would be able to visit my first exchange sister Lisa in Heidenheim, DE. For those of you familiar with German geography, Heidenheim is a small town near Stuttgart. When I arrived it was like going home, but home to a place I had never been. It was as though I had been meant to be there my whole life but had just forgotten about it for a moment!
But I digress.
O mystery Host family, whoever you are, I can’t wait to meet you!

ok so i finally did it, i started a blog!

2009-08-06T23:18:00.000-07:00

well, I had so much fun reading blogs and seeing how cool they were, i decided to make one myself!

So, in case any one has missed anything, I dont really live in my beautiful hometown of vegas anymore!
I now live in a tiny college town in Idaho!

I am a Theatre Speech Ed major, which translated into career speak I want to be a drama teacher. I love the arts more than I can ever express!

Some day when I do turn 21 I am going on a mission, and that day can not come soon enough! Its all i have ever wanted!

And most people dream of a white picket fence... but not me. I dream of living in a hundred year old house in a mid size town in Germany! I have never fallen so deeply in love with a place before, and then I met Germany. I come from a city where we blow all the history up, ie the stardust, but I want to live in the history itself!
So, here's my quick crystal ball: Drama teacher in Germany! Sounds good right? We shall have to wait and see what happens!

As for now I have two years left of school, and BYUI is so amazing! I love the people there!

And if you had the patience to read all this scrambled stuff, congratulations, you speak ADHD too! jokes, gold star if you were able to follow it though! :-)