C'est la vie

" I have a right to be heard, I have a voice" -King George VI (The Kings Speech)

2012-02-12T22:08:00.001-07:00

Aren't we all just the product of our own life's experiences anyways. Don't our correct choices just reflect our learning and growth that has come from making choices over and over. And some how we all seem to be able to relate to one another. Even though each experience is different and personal to each individual, somehow we can always find a way to connect to each other.

Maybe we aren't so different from each other. Maybe just by being on this earth together means that we are going to have to experience the same things, only they manifest themselves in different forms. We have all in one way or another gone off of that wonderful path. We all have experienced life from below, from heart ache, from confusion. We have all doubted, made choices that reflect our doubts, and found ourself just a little further from where we intended to go.

Aren't we here to help others through our own experiences. Aren't we here on this earth to experience life the way that we choose to and then when needed help others, or watch as they experience what they need to experience in order to become the person they need to be.

There were many times in my life where I had wished that my mother had chosen the path for me instead of let me choose. I remember asking her to tell me what to do in various situations wether it was choosing a major, a dance partner, or a relationship. But in the end she always allowed me to make my own decisions with the experience that I had.

I am grateful that in those moments when I wanted her to choose for me she refused. She let me grow, she helped me understand how to own my own life. Sometimes the decisions I make aren't understood by everyone. Sometimes it is hard for people to see for example why I only dance with one dance partner instead of having many. And sometimes its hard for people to understand why I am okay with their confusion.

We are here on this earth to make our own choices. We are here to experience our own life in the way that we choose to experience it. With divine guidance, we are here to succeed with a pocket full of valuable experiences that lead us to the best life we can have.

When we decide to have a voice and let that voice be heard and owned, we find that our voice is real, smart, and intelligent. We find that we wished we had listened to our voice a long time ago. We find that our voice is that same voice that has been speaking truth to our hearts our whole life. We learn to trust that voice.

Reminisce: indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events.

2012-02-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

I like to reminisce sometimes. I like to look through old photos, noting how skinny I used to be. I like to read old journal entries, remember some of the hardest times in my life and how I got through them. I like reliving old memories.

I like getting so caught up in the past that I actually travel back in time and smell the metro or taste the acai bowl. I like remembering friendships I had. I like looking at those people now and seeing what changes they have made, or sometimes haven't made. I like living in my past.

Then someone interrupts me. They walk in, ask me a question, or nudge me as they walk by. And my thoughts are back to what is in front of me. I come to the realization that I loved my past. I find myself wishing that I could go back, play games all night with my friends, walk up and down the markets, and eat crepes outside the Notre-Dame cathedral.

I find myself holding on to the past so hard that it breaks my heart when I have to let go and move on to something that can be and is also just a great. I have a hard time with change.

Friday night I sold one of my ballroom dresses. I cried. I felt like I was giving away three years of hard work, memories, and beauty. I had danced in the British Championship Competition in England in this dress. As I gave the dress to its new owner I had to feel the satin in my hands, take a picture of it in my head, and then allow my heart to let it become someone else's perfect dress and a part of their picture book.

Remember this?

2012-02-01T19:35:00.001-07:00

Good times.....good times...

My day as a model

2012-01-21T18:15:00.001-07:00

This morning I did some modeling for my roommate Emma. She is a fantastic photographer. It was really fun acting like the girls I see on America's Next Top Model. However, it isn't as easy as they make it look. Modeling is hard, therefore I do not think I will be going into that career anytime soon. So here is one of her photo's that she posted on her blog. I did my make-up and Emma did the wonderful hair masterpiece.

What's under there?

2012-01-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

Its that moment when you get out of the shower, start to pick the outfit you are going to wear, find it, then realize that first you need that most basic of clothing before the outfit can go on, so you search for some underwear and none can be found. "What happened to my year supply of underwear!!" you shout into the heavens. You only have 30 mins which isn't enough time to do the laundry that you should have done the first time you thought you were out of underwear.

It isn't as though you don't have access to a washing machine because you do. Its located downstairs. Its just that every time you remember that its time to do laundry you only have 30 mins and that is not enough time to worry about clean clothes. As the thought sinks in that today may be the day that you go commando there you find it, the last pair of underwear, clean, waiting, ready to be worn.

My modern journey

2012-01-18T20:00:00.002-07:00

To: viewers From: Mouth

2012-01-11T15:47:00.001-07:00

I miss my toothbrush. I miss it and I miss it bad. It was fat, blue, large, ugly, dirty. It happened to be the same tooth brush that a 250 lbs man owned.

Switching from top, front, back always switching. It did everything at once. It was fat, blue, large, ugly, dirty. I threw it away.

Why did I throw it away. I threw it away because I thought I wanted something new, more in-style, a different color, not as big. The pleasure that came to me when I bought my new tooth brush slipped away with every brush. I want my old one back.

But I can't have it back. Its in the garbage. Its old. It was done. Hello skinny, pink, small, pretty, clean.

You've got a Friend in me

2012-01-08T18:02:00.001-07:00

Oh we're besties. WE are the best besties there are.

We like to snuggle, watch Gilmore girls, and sing songs loud into the night.

She makes me Chicken and I make her exercise.

We talk about boys, life, love, and controversial topics.

She sings too loud and I obsess over being on time.

My good friend Randy Newman put it best when he said,

"You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you We stick together and we see it through..."

If we were ever blind folded, kidnapped, and placed in a maze, we would kick that mazes trash.

Love you Cams :)

Les Détails

2011-12-28T04:01:00.000-07:00

The details, events, and memories. All of these seem to be getting lost in the moment. Instead of taking the time every day to write down the smells, experiences, and pieces, I have been relishing the moments spent with my best friend and sister. As we cry, laugh, and comfort we grow closer. We heal and we carry on. We are best friends first and foremost and then sisters.

I have been enjoying making new memories with my family as we squish in one car and try to find our way across the island. We fight, play, encourage, and push. We are family and there is no where else I would rather be than with them.

I have been savoring the time spent with Jared and all of the new inside jokes we are making. We walk, smile, argue, and enjoy. He lifts me over so that I wont get caught as he gets thrown down under the pull of the wave. He is here with me and there is never enough time when we are together.

Its the details. They are what I love, they are what I live for. I love the smells, colors, feelings, and memories. They are what help me to remember the important things. The little pieces of the puzzle that make up the big picture. Its in the details.

Dancesport- latin

2011-11-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

2011-11-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

Just a couple more vids to complete the round.

Last Weekend I competed at Dancesport

2011-11-20T14:12:00.001-07:00

Dancesport came and went. We definitely did better than we did last year this time, but as always there were a few disappointing moments. I got a new pink dress, thanks to the help from some amazing Grandparents, and it was really exciting and it danced beautifully!! Here are a couple of the videos from the event. I might post more later when I get more. Enjoy :)

Marcel the Shell

2011-11-16T23:36:00.003-07:00

Pro's and Con's of Vending Machine Food

2011-11-16T20:21:00.001-07:00

Pro's:
-convenient when you are stuck at school working on a paper and haven't eaten dinner yet
-everything is under $3.00
-located only a few paces away
-ravenous hunger is subsided long enough for you to finish a couple hours work

Con's:
-after eating the delicious treat, you feel 20 lbs heavier
-mouth is coated with grease
-belly feels a bit larger in size
-realize the need to work out more
-people look at your like you're an unhealthy pig

Oh what a grammar fair brings

2011-10-12T23:25:00.000-06:00

Round 2 for technique class

2011-10-09T23:23:00.000-06:00

Alright, same rules apply, no judging :)

Time Withers

2011-10-05T00:13:00.000-06:00

The colors in a coloring book.

2011-09-24T19:32:00.004-06:00

The sounds of laughter. Each bead of water drops wet on the cement. It sounds like the static from a shirt when first put on from the dryer. New smells, new bugs, new things to discover. Life is new.

Life has only been life for a small amount of years. Stories to be told. Stories that have never been told. Stories that just happenend and seem so new, so real, so important to tell.

A vocabulary that is in constant change. Growing, developing, creating. Secrets to tell friends. Letting the imagination be as colorful as the box of crayons. Anything is possible if you can color it with crayons.

Hours seem like years. Waiting for your turn means eternity. Happiness in the discovery of a toy, thought, friend, experience. Enjoyment in freedom.

As they play. As they learn. As they fall. As they love. They learn little by little that things are not always as simple as coloring them with crayons. Happiness sometimes means waiting. Discovering feels hard. Learning means falling. But in the end, their mothers will always pick up the pieces, bandage the wounds, kiss the hurting heads, and heal the broken hearts.

Didn't get the memo.

2011-09-21T16:35:00.002-06:00

Okay, why didn't I get invited to the fair. Apparently it was THE event to go to yet somehow I didn't go. I didn't even know about it. I love fairs too. I wanted to write a blog post like everyone else about how much fun the fair was. What happened. Why wasn't I informed?

Yep, that's what it is.

2011-09-19T19:49:00.000-06:00

You wanna know what I miss......I really miss rock climbing. If I could go rock climbing I think that I would be a happier person.

If anyone is going rock climbing and wants to invite me I would say yes.

The time has come.

2011-09-18T22:04:00.000-06:00

Well, the time has come at last. Here is the video you have all been waiting for. Amy dancing Contemporary. Don't judge. I share this video with you all so that you can be involved with my dancing.
Keep in mind, this is a technique class.

Enjoy :)

2011-09-11T00:09:00.001-06:00

"To love what you do and feel that it matters-- how could anything be more fun?"

Katharine Graham

I read this quote on one of my favorite blogs who's author is one of my dearest friends.

A perfect post equals a perfect life.

2011-08-29T20:48:00.000-06:00

Life is so simple. That's what everyone says at least, and that's how its explained in all the blogs I find myself reading. Oh, I read about saturdays that were simply perfect, and weekends that lasted forever. Some blogs talk about their perfect significant other while others talk about the wonderful life of being single. The subject matter may change but the way everything is put never does. No matter what, I always find myself thinking about why my life doesn't seem to fit so simply in a blog post.

"Is there something wrong with my life?" I ask myself. "Yes" I reply, "there is". "Im doing it all wrong. I'm doing it all wrong because I can't seem to make my life fit so perfectly into one single blog post. No in order to explain myself it would take years and years and even then i don't think you'd get the same feeling that I get every time I read blog posts." Then my thoughts take a different route.

"No, your life is fine.You are doing just fine. Just because at this moment you can't make your life look like pretty flowers and rain drops during rain storms and even though it feels like you are hanging by a single thread about to be cut with scissors, you are doing the best that you can and some day you will find a way to make life feel simple again" my thoughts explain to me.

Yes, I am doing the best that I can and I am sure that even though those posts look perfect they aren't. Because really, no one wants to talk about the hard times. No, we would rather celebrate the perfect moments in life.

So here is me celebrating the not so perfect moments in my life. Here's to celebrating the hard days. May they always be there to remind us that we are not alone.

Its small and blue.

2011-08-27T15:21:00.001-06:00

I moved in. I hate moving in. I am very content with staying exactly where I have made myself comfortable. I love my new blue walls, but they aren't enough to make me feel like home.

Before the summer started, the thought of having to live at home again was unpleasant and unwelcome. I hadn't lived at home for a couple years now and I thought my self to be an adult and independent. I didn't want to feel like a child again and I didn't want to be dependent on my parents.

However now, I miss my home. I miss my dog. I miss my mom. I miss the comfort of always having my family around me. Change is always hard for me. I get so cozy and comfortable with the environment and people Im surrounded by so when those things are taken away from me I get nervous and sad and uncomfortable. I feel like running away to my parents house.

I guess its the way life is though, constantly changing and changing. Its good to have change. It just takes a bit to get used to. Ill give this house a chance. Maybe it will turn out to be just as comfortable as my own place. Maybe someday I look at those blue walls and get comfort from them.

My Grandma Hofheins

2011-08-21T18:04:00.000-06:00

If I were to describe my Grandma in one word it would be firm.

She is firm in her beliefs, her integrity, in serving one another, and her love of God.

She will never give up.

If I could only take one lesson learned from her it would be the importance of hard work.

She exemplifies this trait by always magnifying her church callings, serving in the MTC, teaching the piano for free, serving her neighbors all around her, and making sure she knows what is going on in every single one of her children’s, grandchildren’s, great-grandchildren’s, and friends life.

She works to maintain relationships, she works to keep her house organized, she works to mend broken hearts, she works to provide each family member a hand crafted and intricate doll, she works hard to keep her family together.

I love my Grandma because she is unwavering in her testimony of the Savior. And because of this firm testimony, she has become an example of Christ.

I love my Grandma because of the stories she tells.

I love my Grandma because she always knows how I am really doing inside.

I love my Grandma because she supports me in my decisions.

I love my Grandma because she listens to me.

I am grateful everyday for the friendship that we have developed between us. Not only is she a wonderful Grandma to me, but also a wonderful friend.

I love you Grandma. You are my best friend.

2011-07-31T14:09:00.000-06:00

"And finally, in all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley

Um, definitely on my top 3 list of funniest ever

2011-07-22T22:39:00.000-06:00

A picture

2011-07-15T14:39:00.000-06:00

As I starred at the picture I noticed that the person who had finished last, or who was most likely going to finish last, had been working the hardest and seemed tired. She was looking up at the people who were about to cross the finish line and her face seemed to be longing to be with the other competitors. It was almost like she was looking at the top of a mountain thinking how impossible it looked to climb. Her face told the story of a girl who had worked hard and tried her very best but didn't feel in this moment that it was enough.

When I turned to look at the others who had finished the race they seemed calm, refreshed, happy. They looked as though they were spectators not racers. As I looked at this picture I realized something.

That girl was me.

Then I turned around and left that girl in the picture. I left her exactly where she belonged. In a picture. Not reality.

Good times....good times

2011-07-10T16:05:00.000-06:00

I love festivals and markets and any kind of event that pulls the city together and forces them to be at the same place celebrating the same thing.

I love babysitting my little nieces. They are so dang cute!!

I love hiking with my dog Abby. She lets me have my adventures and I let her have hers.

I love this balloon tradition. Its so pretty to look up at the sky and see hot air balloons fill it.

Abby loves a good hike.

Okay, how lucky am I to have such awesome mountains in my backyard.

Abby was a little tired after our hike. She isn't used to the heat.

Hello tongue.

Babysitting my little niece. We painted our finger nails.

This little one kept wanting to throw the nail polish instead of use it.

Painting my fingernails takes a lot of concentration.

Being such a helpful sister. :)

New Love

2011-07-04T22:52:00.000-06:00

Okay, so here it is. My new favorite online clothing store. Shabby Apple. I am absolutely obsessed with practically everything this store has. Almost every outfit has my name written on it. All the swimsuits seriously SCREAM my name. If only I didn't have to pay for anything and could spend all my money on these clothes. Oh, someday I'll have enough money to buy something here. Maybe ill get rich.

I have a confession.....

2011-06-22T14:12:00.002-06:00

My friends and I used to play this game called "Confessions". It was a harmless game where secret crushes were told and maybe a secret hand holding or two was shared. Usually everything we confessed had to do with boys. Typical high school drama. As we got older though it turned into basically anything you wanted to share but wouldn't normally. Would you like to play confessions with me? It goes like this....

I have a confessions........well a few actually.......

1) I really love watching the show The Bachelorette. (I know its dumb, but you can't judge because its confessions) But I really do love this show. I love it so much that after I watch my first season of it I wanted to become facebook friends with the Bachelor and his lovely choice and I may have kept up with the gossip to see if they were going to get married or not. (I know, its pathetic. Not my proudest moment.)

2) I have gone to Wendy's so much that the drive-up window people now smile at me like they know me. But its true they do, and I know them. (I know mom, not the healthiest choice, but I really like their hamburgers......and their chicken nuggets. And its so cheap. No judgments remember!"

3) After going to said Wendy's I really enjoy parking in their parking lot facing BYU and eating my delicious meal inside my car as I watch people walk by and try to avoid my gaze. Its the simple things right?

4) I dance in my living room after watching clips from So You Think You Can Dance. My dog Abby has witnessed it many times. This one being my most recent favorite.

5) When I was little I used to pull up a word document and type nonsense pretending I was a lawyer. Then I would read the words to my imaginary client with a very high class way of speaking. After I would read what I wrote I would always think of how awesome I sounded.

6) Dad, I was the one that put soap in that cup of water you drank so ravenously. What do you expect from a 7 year old prankster. Better late than never.

I like slow motion cinematography as well as this message

2011-06-18T12:49:00.000-06:00

Post # 202: Go John and Ray!!!!

2011-06-06T22:23:00.001-06:00

I know that I just posted on my blog earlier today but I just had to tell you my two favorite songs that I absolutely love listening to no matter the time of day and no matter my mood. They happen to be like pick me up love songs, but I still love them even when I don't need a pick me up :) Listen to them. If you like what I like, you'll love them.

Oh, its a jolly sunday with Abby. Abby makes your heart so light.

2011-06-06T14:11:00.000-06:00

Meet: Abby
Age: cant remember
Scale of 1-10 on interesting: 10
Slobber output: only when its hot
Protecting abilities: very excellent
Wrestling achievements: torn pants, bitten crotch, muddy clothes
Food: hot dogs
Jumping: all fours off the ground when bone in sight
Friendship: Mom's new child, thus my new sister

Comments:
Abby and I like to take longs walks on Sunday afternoons. We make our usual stops by every post or stick stuck in the ground to make sure that nothing new has found its way there. She makes friends where ever she goes. We enjoy taking pictures of scenery on our long walks and because her dream is to be a model for ped-degree we often practice some close ups.

Post # 200: Thailand is a magical place

2011-06-05T16:44:00.000-06:00

Dancing with the stars. Even though it turned out to be not the greatest thing, I still got paid. Thank you DWTS.

These are the cutest little monk in training boys. Women weren't allowed to touch them, so we just took pictures. Their parents send them to monk schools for a couple months to bring pride to their families and to help teach them. I guess its kind of like a mission.

This is a squatty potty. We had to pay to use these bathrooms. It wasn't too hard since my older sister had taught me well how to do my business in the wild. Good times.

And then there were the elephants. This was possibly the funnest thing I have ever done. They are so sweet and loving and it was all I could do to not squeeeeeeeze their not so little bodies. Someday, I am going to have a friend who is an elephant.

Yes, it is a real tiger. It was super cute however once it was done drinking that bottle I think it wanted to eat us. The man took the tiger away from us the second this picture as done because if you can see, the tiger was done drinking its milk.

This was one of the cutest little girls that I became friends with during sunday school at the Thailand ward. She is so beautiful and I would have played with her all day if I could have.

This is the rubber tree farm in Vietnam. This is the place where I go my first mosquito bit in my whole South East Asia tour.

Just a normal day in the streets of Vietnam. If you can see him, there is a man crossing the street right in front of our bus to the left. He's wearing a blue shirt and we all were amazed and how easily he crossed the billions of scooters racing towards him, including a very huge bus. They have no traffic laws that they really follow and so they basically just do everything cautiously and it seems to work out just fine. I have to admit that I enjoyed crossing the street there more than I do here.

Surprise! I'm wearing a Vietnamese hat.

Coconut juice. Sorry to say, not my favorite, but it made for a good picture.

And then there were a whole roll of them. The wonderful squatty potty's except this time they were some what clean.

The entrance to the Vietnamese theme park that all though looked deserted, was claimed by many locals to be the hip place to go.


And then the Ha Noi Hilton. A Vietnam war prison camp that our American soldiers stayed in. Interestingly enough, all the pictures of our soldiers depicted smiling faces and healthy living conditions. It caused us to wonder at how the government can twist things and make even prisoner war camps look like a happy place.

And here it comes...the longest post of your life

2011-04-21T21:10:00.000-06:00

Well, its happened again. I have finished yet another wonderful year at BYU and I am finding yet again how little I actually own. Most of my friends are graduating tomorrow, which is so exciting!! However, I still have two more years of college which I am happy to have.

So, this is usually the post where I talk about what I got out of this year. You may wonder why I have this tradition. Well, to put your mind to ease I will let you know that this tradition was started by my sophomore english teacher who made all of us write ten things that we had learned from our sophomore year. It turned out to be one of the best things i had ever done and I decided to stick to the tradition. However this time it is a little different.

In these posts I would usually talk about how this year was different and that there were experiences that I had that I didn't know where there for me to have. I would have usually started with a Dear world, or year, or so and so.

But this time I am not going to do any of those things. Why? Because I am still experiencing them. I am not quite sure what "life lessons" I have come to understand better. I am having a hard time having the perspective that I usually have after completing a year of college.

I know that I can finish an Anatomy class with a "B". I can tell you every bone, muscle, nerve, vessel, and pathway in your body, but I can't tell you what I have learned from this year. Maybe there are years that aren't meant for learning but for living and enduring. Maybe this year was about going to class every day, not making the next cut but being grateful for the chance to dance, not getting the test score I worked for but trying again the next time, or waking up every morning and re-declaring to myself that I was going to try and make a difference in some one else's day.

Who knows why these years come, but I have a feeling this wont be my last. So, here's to living and enduring. I am done with yet another set of finals!!!!!

Dancing with the Stars

2011-04-20T19:33:00.000-06:00

Oh yeah, I am going to be on Dancing with the Stars. We fly to LA to film it next Tuesday and then it will be aired the following week. Make sure you watch that episode. Who knows....maybe I'll get famous from it. :)

Religion Finals

2011-04-19T22:10:00.000-06:00

Well, I officially hate religion finals. Teachers don't know how to write tests and they dont prepare you for their tests. And the worse part is I didn't even have to take this class. I only took it because I was in need of credit (thank you dance major classes) and it was the only time that worked. I better get an A in this class or else I am going to be sending some pretty angry e-mails.

Finals Week

2011-04-14T12:46:00.000-06:00

My Finals Schedule

-100% enjoy sleeping in till 10AM

-Study for my Anatomy Lecture Exam

-Study for Pearl of Great Price

-Move out of my apartment

-Leave for Thailand!! 

From competitng at Blackpool to now.

2011-03-30T14:00:00.000-06:00

I can't believe that I actually danced at this competition. This was probably one of the best experiences in my whole entire life. Anyways, here is just a little plug-in for our concert coming up next weekend.

Summer=my need to go boating

2011-03-26T18:23:00.000-06:00

So this is me and my mad wake boarding skills. Awesome right? I was looking at some pictures someone had posted on facebook of them going water skiing and I got hit with this huge wave of I need to go boating now! Too bad the weather isn't even close to being warm enough to get wet in. Hopefully our boat will work again this year. Every year seems like its going to be its last. Good ol Glastron. I do heart you. Please please work at least once more this summer. I need it so very much. Thanks!

Happy Pie Day!!

2011-03-14T22:32:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I know its late but I thought I would celebrate Pie day with a little bit of reminiscing. In Jr. high I entered into a Pie Day T-Shirt designing contest for the festival we were going to have on that day and I won. What was this winning design you may ask? Well I drew the infinity sign (the number 8 on its side) and inside I wrote "Infinity 3.14" over and over all the way around. I was pretty proud of my design. I never did get a T-Shirt though.

So, happy Pie Day. Eat some pies :)

A weekend to remember.....

2011-03-13T22:46:00.000-06:00

Dear Nationals,

Thank you for yet another exciting weekend. I got to dance with some of the best dancers in the U.S and I got to watch some great dancing as well. I am always sad when you go. Its so fun to wipe my whole week in dedication to you. I love the build up to the competition and the endless hours spent in the Marriott center. I don't want to go back to school. I want to be done with this semester already. Can you come back soon? Maybe by then I will have improved in my dancing and I can actually make a final. Thank you for the scholarship, it is much needed in my financial life. I know you'll be back, you always come back. Thanks for the many years of experiences you've brought to me.

Love,

Amy

One of my Favorite Commercials

2011-03-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

On the road again

2011-02-17T16:01:00.002-07:00

Here I go. Going to California to compete at a great dance competition. I am just a little nervous.

Better late than never.

2011-02-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

Well, here are some of the pictures I took in California during Christmas break. I finally found my computer hook up for the camera so that's why it took me so long but better late than never.

It was freezing. Jared bought me some hot chocolate.

This place was like the first mission in California or something, now its a hotel. It was pretty cool.

Jared Walking the dog.

This was within an hour of my arrival to California. We were happy, as you can tell.

Well...here I am

2011-01-30T22:40:00.000-07:00

I am studying for an anatomy quiz that I will most likely fail because there is no way I can do the proper amount of studying tonight in order to get the quiz score I would like to receive. So, here's to putting my best foot forward. Cheers!

Thank you, but I really shouldn't.

2011-01-26T18:55:00.000-07:00

First-I am studying for my anatomy lecture quiz the seems more like a mid term.
Second-6AM morningside in which I will sing at
Third-Weekend show in Salt Lake City at the conference center.
Fourth-Both a lecture quiz and lab quiz due Monday.
Fifth- Slowly and steadily picking myself up piece by piece from this weeks stress, concentration, lack of social interaction, and deprivation of sleep.

World Spins Madly On

2011-01-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

Anatomy at BYU VS Physiology at PHS

2011-01-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I attended my first day of Anatomy lab.

Surpassed all my knowledge in one two hour period that I had learned over two semesters of physiology in High School. Thank you college education.

I like it.

2011-01-09T12:03:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite places is burning.

2010-12-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

This old Tabernacle was one of my favorite buildings in Utah. It got caught on fire this morning and the firemen are still trying to put it out. I went and saw it burning and almost cried. Its things like this that make you realize how important history is to you. I just hope that they will be able to keep the building.

Here's the Story.

Vive La France!

2010-12-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

La Tour Eiffel. Such breathtaking architecture. 

Musee du loovre. I could have spent days in this museum. It was spectacular!

La Joconde aka The Mona Lisa. Really great to actually see, but it was a lot  smaller than I had expected it to be. Never the less it was cool to be one of the many in the crowd trying to take a picture.

Notre Dame Cathedral. We actually ran into a BYU picture and since you can trust all that go to BYU we had them take our picture in front of the cathedral. 

Famous Rose Window

Our very first Crepe. It was delicious. It had Nutella and bananas. We made it a point to eat one crepe a day. Pure Heaven!

There was a little grocery store the building next door to our hostel so we always bought dinner there. One night we bought these little pre-made rice dishes. We were so excited to eat that we didn't even think to buy silverware to eat it with, so instead we used my credit cards as spoons and ate up.

The gates of Versailles. This was by far my most favorite place to visit. The garders were beautiful. We spent 6 hours walking around and I probably could have spent a whole other day. It was wonderful!


This was a merry-go-round in front of the Sacre Coeur.

Musee Rodin. He was such a fabulous sculpture.

We finished with a visit to Le Centre Pompidou. It was an amazing modern art museum. This is a piece by Henri Matisse

Birthdays!!!

2010-12-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I have turned the age of 22. I have to say that my birthday this year was the best I think its ever been. The events of the day started with a wonderful breakfast with Jared, then pedicures with my mom and sister. After my feet were re-born my family got together and had a late lunch/dinner. It was fabulous. Then I spent the rest of the night with Jared who took me bowling, then to target, then we watched a movie. Best. Birthday. Ever

Birthdays are always hard and awkward and weird for me. Even though this one was still weird and awkward for me I spent it with the most important people to me and that made it so great. Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and the presents. I loved it all!!!

Dancesport.....a couple of weeks ago

2010-11-28T16:48:00.001-07:00

I know that I am a little late in talking about Dancesport, but now is better than never. I really enjoyed dancing Latin again. Even though it wasn't one of our most successful weekends in terms of placings, it was still great to dance again. So here are some pictures from that weekend that Katie took. She is a great photographer. My little niece was also there and danced every general dance she could. She did great!! Enjoy!

For cat lovers everywhere

2010-11-11T17:41:00.000-07:00

This one is for you Katie.

Things that discourage me for only a moment.

2010-10-26T19:27:00.000-06:00

I can never seem to pay enough attention to my grilled cheese sandwiches. They always end up getting burned.

There are two bruises located on my shin. One from bumping into a car. The other from the underside of my coffee table.

When I say I will only take a nap for an hour it most likely ends up being two.

No matter how hard I try there is always a hold on my financial account at BYU.

Sometimes when I am working on my computer the charger get thwacked off and turns my computer off.

When I use sound logic in the morning it only takes till I really wake up to realize that I had no idea what I was talking about.

There are times when I feel like I don't need to check the practice schedule because I have it memorized. Then I get to the non-available room. Then we cant practice.

I almost always knock my head on the opened cupboard doors above my sink.

I will always forget my assignment, drum, keys, phone, or camera if I dont put them by the door.

When my teacher talks for too long, I will most likely space out, and will most likely get called on.

Everyone has big shoes, DEAL WITH IT and STOP COMPLAINING!!

2010-10-20T21:04:00.004-06:00

I don't know why, but it seems like my life works better in lists. Sometimes when I am writing in my journal I just write it list style and then pick a couple and talk about them. Here is a list:

-I lost my temper this morning at dress rehearsal
-I crave dirt every day
-I think about what to post
-My ballet class isn't helping my flexibility
-Im hungry
-Finished the paso choreography, we have all 5 dances
-I have never felt so tired before

This morning I lost my temper. Everyone was complaining and instead of keeping my thoughts to myself I spoke them loud and clear. Afterward I felt horrible. I guess the saying that some things are better left unsaid is true.

I need dirt. Whenever I think about dirt I need it. Some people have said that its because my iron levels are low, but I feel like that's just something some one heard, somewhere, by someone that was just passing by. And if it is true, how in the heck do you eat more iron.

Goals for the rest of this week:
-Be more patient
-Enjoy the people around me
-Think about others instead of myself
-Always give 100%

Homecoming week!!

2010-10-09T15:49:00.003-06:00

The homecoming parade was great. Every year we give out balloons to the little children who come to cheer us on and every year I find it harder to not give out every single balloon that I own to every child I see. They just get that cute look in their eyes like if I didn't give them a balloon, life as they knew it would be over. And then when I do give them a balloon its like I gave them a bike. They are that happy. I love it. I never realized how many cute kids there are in the world.

Thank goodness for chubby cheeks and candy faces. Without them the homecoming parade would just be a boring 2 1/2 mile walk with the ballroom team.

GO COUGARS!!

It all started with a box of jewelry

2010-10-07T21:00:00.001-06:00

Well, it rained today. Glad that I wore my rain jacket. Thanks Nancy W.

I watched my first Modern test on video today:

2010-09-28T22:51:00.003-06:00

I kept looking at the video of me wishing that I would suddenly get better but I never did. I looked at it over and over and over again and by the end I was still a fatty ol' fatty trying to dance modern and not succeeding. I actually think I got fatter each time I watched it. I don't know why I think that watching it over and over again will make me all of a sudden skinnier and better coordinated. It doesn't make sense.

Yet, after Im done writing this post I will watch it again with the same hope that maybe something has changed since I last watched it.

Why did my classmates tell me I did a good job. Obviously they were watching me. They were probably watching the girl next to me.

Probably just a mix up.

I should probably just stick to my strengths.

The grass is always greener on the other side

2010-09-27T19:18:00.000-06:00

Uhg, may today go away forever. Sometimes I just wish that days would go away and never come back. Not for any particular reason, but days like these are just harder than usual and it just so happens that your patience level is way low so that doesn't work so well. Today was not a good day. Today will never be invited back into my life. Good bye today.

A roll of pictures

2010-09-21T17:26:00.007-06:00

Such great memories!

World of Dance

2010-09-14T17:12:00.003-06:00

Its World of Dance this week. Im only in one number which is usually how these things go, but if you have the time you should come and enjoy the other genres perform. I've seen most of the numbers and they are going to be pretty great! Come and bring a date :)

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Night and Matinee.

You can buy tickets here

Hope to see you there

This one is for you Katya

2010-09-13T20:45:00.003-06:00

I think that my dance team mate Katie deserves a post on my blog specifically to her. Katie has been a very dear team mate of mine since I was little. We danced on the same teams, competed in the same competitions, talked about who's coming in to give lessons, and shared a Blackpool experience together which was both of our dreams since we could remember.

Katie is one of those people who loves life and basically all those who are in it. She is humble, loving, and passionate about Chemistry. She has a great sense of style and everyone loved seeing her awesome outfits everyday.

I'm going to miss you Katie. I am proud that you had the courage to make the right choice for your life.

You will always be a great example to me. I will never forget the memories that we had together on all of the different teams we danced on.

Love you!!!

A snap shot of Amy's day

2010-09-09T20:38:00.004-06:00

Alright, I guess its time to write another post. School has started and so has my marathon of dance classes. For example:

7am- team

10:30-ballet 290 (this is where they tell me to put my leg on a bar that is my height and then expect me to use my core, stand up straight and if that isn't good enough i have to lift my leg off of the bar slightly. Right........)

12:00-Latin technique

1:30- modern 241 (i am expected to breath, use my core, stretch my limbs, roll on the ground, create something completely new to me, re-create all of the exercises that the teacher does in exactness, and then have enough energy to run across the floor and dive with grace or she would even take originality. Awesome.)

3:00- practice with brandon

Interesting semester I think. There are times when my body is screaming me to stop but I don't. I can't stop. I will never stop doing the thing I love to do the most in life. The sorest muscles could never stop me dancing.

Here's to the semester of dance. May it last forever!

First day of teaching......check.

2010-08-31T12:20:00.003-06:00

Well, my first day of teaching class went like this:

I had tacos underneath my armpits
My face was flushed red because it felt like 100 degrees in there
I would decide to do one thing and then remember that it would be more logical to do another
It took only 15 mins to go over everything in the syllabus and general class order
I kept saying "um" because I had no clue what to do next
Lets just say I might have made a fool of myself
And all while Enya is oooing and aahhhing in the background because I forget to get really waltz music.

To find.

2010-08-24T18:45:00.004-06:00

I have often found that it is when I am not looking, that I find. Most frequently this happens when I am on the hunt for something specific to add to my wardrobe, for example skinny jeans. I still have yet to find a good pair. Another example would be any piece of clothing I have ever needed. I get so frustrated when I finally have the money to purchase something specific and cant find it anywhere, but then when I don't have the money it seems as though every store has what I am looking for.

Someday I'll figure out how to find what I am looking for when I am looking for it, and when that day comes I will no longer spend days of going shopping only to find myself exactly were I started however now I am a little more tired, a little more hungry, very much more fatter, and incredibly more impatient than I had started out being.

And that brings up one more good point, why do I always feel like i've gained 50 pounds after shopping for clothes? Some people say that its the mirrors, but somehow I don't believe that.

At 6:30 my alarm goes off

2010-08-17T09:25:00.003-06:00

Dear 7AM rehearsals,
Would you please go away.

yours truly,
Amy

I said no, but she went ahead anyways. Maybe if someone told me no when I was going to the bathroom I'd disobey them too.

2010-07-31T09:59:00.004-06:00

Well, I did as mamma told me to. It was warm and a little gooie and the second i caught a whiff of the smell I thought that I might gag............but I did it. I picked up Abby's poop and carefully carried it to our own garbage can. So your welcome unknown neighbor who almost had unknown dog poo in their yard. You are welcome.

Play pretend

2010-07-30T00:00:00.002-06:00

Lets pretend that I did it. Lets pretend that I stood outside in the rain today and smelled the wet deck underneath my feet. Let us imagine that, instead of finding reasons to go on the deck for a couple of mins only to do something, one of the times I stayed. I stayed there and listened to nothing but the rain falling through the huge tree on to the concrete below. I felt the cool breeze carrying the sprinkled water on my arms and face.

Lets pretend that I stood there.

I am me.

2010-07-21T20:55:00.003-06:00

I love to listen to the sirens below my apartment while watching the sun illuminate the sky with bright oranges, purples, and reds.

I love listening to my brother play the guitar as my sister sings

I love smelling my clean laundry

I love feeling happy for someone else's accomplishments

I love to dance

I love laughing at things that I think are funny

I love watching Gilmore Girls till 3 AM with my sister

I love snuggling with my little niece right before she goes to bed

I love walking through the gardens of Versailles and stopping only to eat a crepe

I love making things beautiful

I love writing in my journal

I love watching movies with someone that I care about

I love being on time to things

I love having people around me

I love being alone

I love random calls from siblings

I love talking to my mom

I love willow trees

I love the sweet potato fries at Guru's

I love Primark

I love suprises

I am me.

Dancing at the British Championships

2010-07-15T17:26:00.002-06:00

Well here it is Ladies and Gentlemen, my claim to fame!!

pandora.com

2010-07-11T09:52:00.003-06:00

Dear Pandora,

I am sick of listening to your stupid commercials.

love,

Amy

Letters to Life

2010-06-28T18:17:00.006-06:00

Dear Life,

I have had some of the most amazing experiences this summer. I just got back from touring with the dance company to England and Scotland, and then going to Paris for six days with a close friend. I feel like a different person.

I got to feel the testimony of a recent convert to the church and see his deep devotion to his wife and children. I was able to share my love for God and his church to a girl who had never heard of us. I danced on a floor full of history, and became a part of that history myself. I performed in front of people who had never seen ballroom dancing before and who cried because of the goodness that they felt. I am changed. I can feel it.

I walked around the most beautiful gardens at Versailles that I have ever experienced. I saw the Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre. I discovered a local art festival and spoke to one of the artist in French. I experienced history, crepes, and the Metro. Paris will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I am not scared anymore Life. I used to get nervous being with people that i didn't know and in places that I had never been to before, but I no longer feel that. The fear that I felt at first is now replaced with memories, love, excitement, experience, and confidence. I hope that it will last.

I guess now its time to start with my post tour life. What does that even mean? Making money, working hard, piecing together next year? All of those things seem too scary to me now. Why is it that when I gain strength in one area of my life the other one becomes little and weak? Little steps I keep saying to myself. "Little steps Amy, one foot in front of the other."

I hope that you are still well. Its been a while since I have been able to catch up with you. Ill try not to leave you in the dust for as long as I did.

With Love,

Amy

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for....

2010-06-11T17:01:00.003-06:00

We won. We competed against one the of most amazing teams from china and we swept the competition with 9 out of 11 1st places.

It only took a few moments for my dream to be over, 6 mins exactly. Thats how long our routine was. Itsn't it funny how life happens so fast. You prepare your whole life for moments like last weekend and then it only takes about an hour for them to be over with. But somehow its still worth all the work.

Now that I have accomplished what I have wanted to do since I was 7, what do I do next? I didn't plan for the after part. I didn't even know that it existed. I never think about after, its always about when I get there.

Getting on to the ballroom company for BYU....check.
Getting first place at a world wide competition with the people that I love.....check.

I guess its time to write some more goals.

British Open Championship only a few hours away

2010-06-04T08:32:00.003-06:00

It is everything that I ever thought it would be. The room is beautiful, the floor is perfect, my hair is Ronald Mcdonald red, the band call felt like the actual competition, and i love my team mates.

I knew when I was younger that I wanted to be a part of this and in only a couple of hours I will be competing for the British Open Formation team title.

Tonight I will give it everything I have worked for. Tonight is for the 7yr old girl who was watching her older brothers compete at nationals and couldn't wait for her mom to let her start dancing. This is for her. This is for my team. This one is for me.

2010-05-26T18:20:00.003-06:00

"The irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating--in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around like rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life."

- Anne Morris

Paris, England, Scotland, Dance...

2010-05-18T17:26:00.004-06:00

"Oh there is so much to write about."

-dancing for 4 hours a day

-going to England and Scotland

-going to Paris with Callista by ourselves

-wishing so badly that next year i will have a ten dance partner

-nightmares about not having a dance partner

-flying kites for the first time and having it be one of the most amazing experiences

-reading a pretty good series

-trying to make money

-wondering how long it is going to take to get this tanning stuff off of my body before I have to re-apply another layer

-being so excited to compete in Blackpool for the first time in my life and fulfilling one of my life goals as a child

"Oh, there are so many things that I could write about right now.

Oh....so many." She thought to herself as she sat listening to Wicked.

Good News Bullet List Style

2010-04-22T23:39:00.002-06:00

-Finals are over

-I got a 95 on my religion test

-I got a 94 on my standard theory test

-I got a teaching position at BYU teaching one of their international ballroom dance classes

-I found my keys which I thought were lost

-okay, honestly I am just really excited for the teaching position.

-That was probably the most exciting piece of good news on this list.

-I ate Cafe Rio today

Oh how lovely

2010-04-18T16:41:00.008-06:00

As I feel the warmth of the sun on my white transparent legs it occurs to me. I have done it again. I have lived through the Winter to find Spring.

Oh Winter was wonderful. So many new things happened in the Winter. But Spring, oh its f inally here.

I look at the pictures I took at the lake on Thursday and realize, I'm not ready. With three friends getting married, a trip to Paris needing to be planned, and blank pages for my future, I am not ready.

However, it is all working out quite nicely. I can see the workings of something divine and it calms me. What used to be uncertain is getting clearer. I love it when that happens. I love the moments when you recognize that He really did know.

I think of how much I love my room mates. I think of all of the lessons we have learned together, the activities, movie nights, prayers, and conversations we have had. I think of how grateful I am that they have played a role in my life.

I remember that I am ready for the future. I am ready for the next couple of months like I am always ready for the next day. The Lord has prepared me through the trials that I have had for my future. He really does know.

So heres to Spring, my past, and my future.

2010-04-08T23:12:00.001-06:00

And it begins. The longest weekend of my life.

Sometimes its all about the letters.

2010-04-05T20:57:00.004-06:00

Dear Semester,

You weren't at all what I had expected. When we met I had just broken up with my boyfriend and was a little fragile. I had just gotten a new room mate and I wasn't quite sure if I had friends anymore. You surprised me.

Just like all relationships we were so happy at the beginning. Everyday I thought to myself how extremely happy I was and how I never wanted anything more from you. I would write blog posts about how nice life was going and how I had found my true love.

Then you got difficult. The classes that I had to take tired me out physically to the point of exhaustion. All my friends got engaged and you just sat there, filled with empty hopes and dreams. There were moments when I didn't know if I really wanted to be with you anymore. But you were determined.

You were determined to teach me something greater than I had ever spent enough time to learn. You wanted to teach me what it meant to have faith in something I couldn't plan out or even see. You knew that I needed to be so tired that my pride failed and thus had to rely on something else. You wanted me to know what it meant to dance for someone other than myself.

Thank you Winter Semester of 2010. Without you I would have never known what is was like to be me and trust in just that.

Ouch!!!! There is now a lump on my head

2010-04-01T13:50:00.003-06:00

I hit my head really hard today.

I am so hungry but my food is way too hot

I tripped flat on my face in rehearsal today

My head is now pulsing

Yep....thats all.

Once upon a time.....

2010-03-29T22:26:00.004-06:00

Once there was a little girl. She had a not so great phone. One day her brother gave her a new blackberry phone. The little girl felt like a princess all day long and even during the night.

And I looked up and just wished I were somewhere else...

2010-03-26T09:58:00.003-06:00

At times I wish I were hang gliding.

It would be perfect.

I could look at my stress and peers and homework from above instead of below and

For one single moment I would be able to relax, listen to life below, and enjoy not being a part of it. I would be a on looker, a passer by, a non-involved observer observing the scene below.

If only I could hang glide.

"If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves." -Maria Edgeworth

2010-03-15T15:18:00.005-06:00

Kyle and Allie

Paul and Giovanna

Brent and I

Callista and Daniel

Brent and I

When I was little, the night after my first nationals, I remember sobbing in my mothers arms. Not because I lost at the competition, but because I was so worried that I would never have that experience again. Dancing at nationals was such a once in a life time experience for me then, that I couldn't imagine it happening again. I was devastated!!

Since that first nationals experience I have since returned for the last ten years. Each year I accomplished something different. One year it was getting third and beating the Delgrossos, another year it was making the semi-final round in amateur latin. Each year has been very different but very important in my character building process.

No matter how unprepared I felt I always returned to nationals with the goal to give it my all. Last weekend I gave it my all and I experienced a different aspect of competing. This aspect involved cheering for friends that made it past me, encouraging people in events I could not compete in, and being sincerely happy not only for my successes, but for those around me.

Now looking back, I wasn't really sobbing because I was afraid of not going to nationals again, I was afraid of the great moments that I had had, being lost in time and never happening again.

I was right, they never did happen again. New moments happened instead that were even better.

2010-03-12T11:36:00.002-07:00

"As I contemplate all that you face in the world today, one word comes to my mind. It describes an attribute needed by all of us but one which you—at this time of your life and in this world–will need particularly. That attribute is courage."

-Thomas S. Monson

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning how to dance in the rain.

2010-03-10T19:52:00.004-07:00

When it rains it pours.

Life is about the journey.

Dance like no one is watching.

I'm a new soul

2010-03-02T15:09:00.005-07:00

Its the second day of March

I found out that I really love the smell of my Grandmas garage

It smells like rich, chalky dirt

I found another set of stairs that overlook another insight into my soul

My hair has decided to cooperate with me for four days straight

I love watching the show Pushing Dasies

I got a letter

I discovered a new song

I'm still single

and loving every moment

Tomorrow will be the third day of March

Dear Universe,

2010-02-24T17:27:00.004-07:00

When!!!! When will the day come that 6:30 really means 5:30? When I ask you!!! For the past three mornings I've set my alarm to 6:30, hoping, just hoping that maybe this time it will mean 5:30 yet to my frantic surprise each time it still means 6:30, and instead of having an hour to shower and go over my presentation, I have 20 mins to get dressed and out the door.

Why....why must you disappoint me so.

F-A-M-I-L-Y

2010-02-14T15:38:00.004-07:00

Family

what does that even mean? To me family means making up the difference.

My family makes up for what I dont have. They are my friends when I don't have any, they are the answers to prayers, they are the examples that I didn't have, they are the talent that I wish I had.

I love my family

They brought the best Valentines day yet.

Friends

2010-02-08T00:44:00.003-07:00

The boat leaves at 21 and comes back at 24

2010-02-04T14:18:00.007-07:00

You know the boat I'm talking about. It has cans hung underneath it with mass amounts of streamers and whipped cream. This boat has left me apparently because I am now 21, and everyone excluding a small group of friends, and by small I mean maybe five people total, have become attached to something more than a friday night with friends, and singles ward activities. They are now married.

I've come to the realization that the marriage boat leaves at age 21 and doesn't return until age 24. Every day there is always someone getting engaged or married. What is the deal? Did I miss something?

No, I have not found Mr. Right. Nope, apparently he isn't going to come until I'm 24. Ah...thus the title of my blog comes into play, C'est la vie.

Dear newly weds of ages 18-20,

I am fine being single right now. I am okay with not finding Mr. Right for a while. Yes, marriage is great, but so is dancing everyday until exhaustion and leaving rotten food on the door step of the boys next door.

So in regards to the marriage boat, it hasn't left me, I've left it. :)

Its February!

2010-02-01T14:38:00.006-07:00

This month is the month of love

Its the month where true lovers express their true feelings.

This is where rings are given, "I love you"s are said, and flowers are bought.

This month separates the "romantics" from the "generics".

In elementary school, when the valentines

from all of your classmates

were distributed, you would pay close attention to

the one valentine from a special crush.

This valentine you would analyze the meaning behind

what picture was chosen combined with what words and how

these two together expressed a special love towards you.

Why is it then that we save the "I love you"s and the presents for

one day of the year. Why not everyday of the year?

Between 9:30AM and 10:30AM

2010-01-28T15:11:00.004-07:00

Well...I did it. The fastest decision making in my life. Usually it takes me about 3 weeks to decide anything but this time it only took me 10 mins.

I AM GOING TO FRANCE!!!!

I am touring with my Ballroom dance company to England and Scottland and after we're finished I'm going to France.

I am going to France with one of my greatest friends. I am going to finally be able to use the French that I have learned over four semesters in college. I am going to walk through the gardens of Versailles and breathe in the culture that France has to offer.

I am doing it ladies and gentlemen....I am going to be in France this summer.

The moments that we breathe in

2010-01-19T14:12:00.008-07:00

To breathe. Most commonly defined: to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.

Most overlooked definition: to live; exist

Breathing is an experience for me. I breathe in moments.

I breathe so that my soul can take part of the smells, sights, emotions, temperatures, and memories of what is going on around me.

I walked home today with purpose. The wind blew my flower earrings against my face. The movement of my unbuttoned coat matched the dynamics of the wind. And I breathed. In.....then out. The warm sweet air filled my lungs and calmed my soul. I took in that moment.

I was taking in the moments of the day. I was allowing my insides to rest of the internal torment I put it through everyday. I let myself live today.

I chose to walk down the stairs that are closest to the duck pond instead of the stairs that almost directly lead me to my home. Why? Because I wanted to breathe in the trees around me, the students making their way to class, the broken cement by the handrails, and the wet-discolored leaves lying on the walk way. I wanted the moments that these particular stairs could offer me. I wanted the memories, the feelings of independence, surety, and most importanly, the feeling that once again I was part of the picture.

The picture depicting the girl who decided to live today. The girl walking down the stairs with those pink rimmed glasses while wearing a wine colored peacoat who had decided to breathe in the life that was around her. She was learning, growing, and trying to make a difference in the lives of others.

Today....that girl was me. I was in the picture today. I lived.....I breathed. I became the moments and the moments became me.

In the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

" Let us then labor for an inward stillness,

An inward stillness and an inward healing,

That perfect silence where lips and heart

Are still, and we no longer entertain

Our own imperfect thought and vain options,

But God alone speaks in us, and we want

In singleness of heart, that we may know

His will, and in the silence of our spirits,

That we may do His will, and do that only"

Birthday Suit

2010-01-16T10:36:00.003-07:00

As I was walking the halls of BYU with my two amazingly cute nieces and my sister, we decided to show Scarlet the HUGE pool in the RB. I lifted her up so that she could see. As my sister and I gazed at the people standing at the side one particular person stood out.

It looked as though he was wearing some sort of speedo that was skin colored and blue.

As that particular person turned his back to us it became clear that he was not wearing a speedo. In fact he was not wearing anything at all because there was a definite dark line running from the top of his bottom to....well the bottom of his bottom.

Then he turned to face us. In that moment it became clear that what we had speculated was correct. He was naked. There was a naked man at BYU standing for all to see.

What do we do? Was this real? How do we contain our laughter because clearly this is inappropriate.

We did nothing. We simply walked away astounded at what our eyes had beheld.

Lesson to be learned: Do not simply gaze down into the RB pool. There may be naked people walking around.

I only get this happy once a year

2010-01-07T13:56:00.005-07:00

It is that time of year again. YES!!! Its time to buy a new planner.

I find uncontainable joy when I go to the BYU bookstore to purchase my new planner.

My new planner that I am going to plan all my future events and schedules in.

My new planner that is going to document my new year and thus another year to add to my total count.

This joy extends to after the actual purchase when I get to sit down and plan my life out.

Everytime that I buy a new planner all I want to do is sit in a little cafe in France with a piece of Cheesecake and make plans for the rest of this year.

Oh how I love new school supplies. Especially planners.

A new set of due dates, projects, date nights, parties, and events.

I love new planners.

Life can be a real experience

2009-12-31T10:42:00.007-07:00

My best friend got married yesterday. My best friend is getting married in the spring. My best friend is close to probably getting engaged. I am no where near marriage. I am happy.

The reception was marvelous. It was held in the Rehearsal Hall up at the Sundance Resort. As me and my only three single friends sat at a table full of couples, we toasted hot chocolate with playful bitterness to being single and talked about all the things that we could still do since we have neither husband nor boyfriend.

As the laugher and joking died down, my friend changed the mood by commenting on how normal and natural this was. As we watched our newly married friend twirl, embrace, kiss, and dance with her newly acquired husband, it all seemed right. It was not a dream, and at no time in the evening did I feel like I was a passerby looking at the perfect love story unfold before my eyes. I was once again part of the picture. Whitney was beautiful. She probably could have been in a fairy tail by the way she looked, but she wasn't. Nor would she ever be.

For a moment last night I realized that life is normal. We don't get the luxury of having beautiful music and perfect narrations to accompany us through our life's journeys. We get the real deal. We get to live in life without the superficialities, if we choose to. Last night was void of anything superficial. Instead it was packed with happy fathers, energetic families, and two people who had decided that they were going to stick together, through thick and thin, for all eternity. And they were in love.

These are the moments that I hold on to. Nothing to enhance it but life itself. These are the moments I live for.

Congratulations Whitney!!!
You were a beautiful bride and you are going to be a wonderful wife.
I have loved every moment within our friendship.

Sincerely,
Amy H.