Goodbye 2012

I know, yesterday's post was a little ridiculous but I found those pictures of the cat that looked like Marty and I thought they were pretty funny :) Anywho, here are a few re-caps from 2012. I will be honest, it wasn't my favorite year as it was difficult in a few ways with losing my dog, grandma, and grandpa, but there were still some good things along the way :)

First of all, I had the chance to become friends with these girls after moving into my new apartment during Freshman year. They were so much fun to be around!

(But I do not miss how cold the apartment would get)

I was also able to make friends with these two and Jess. I'll admit, during Chelsea and Todd's first date (that night when I kept falling at Classic Skating and they were helping me learn how to skate), I could see some chemistry between the two of them. I am so happy to see them get married this May!!

Alicia got married

Went on a few runs with the fam

spent some time with the cousins

Went wake boarding for the first time

I was able to be a Fol peer mentor with this group, Gryffindor Basketball Awesome

And have spent many laughs, stories, and good times with these girls whom I will miss so much!!

 And random occurences over the Christmas break, like...

finally buying a purse with my name on it :)

making a gigungus bowl of muddy buddies with Ellen

 and starting to attend even more farewells


So now, after completing a year and a half of college, I have had many good times. I've loved having friends come home from missions and sad but excited to see people leave as missionary work is picking up. I've also become more involved through social media with the CF community, which has become such a blessing itself. There are so many people with CF out there who are fighting each day, and it's inspiring to hear from them and give each other encouragement. My heart goes out to those who passed on, not only through CF, but from the tragedy in Connecticut. I'm grateful for good health, and now that I've been out of the hospital for 2 week tune-ups for about 5 years (I just knocked on wood), many great things are to come! There have been many good things that have happened this year, and let me tell you, I cannot wait for this next year. Wanna hint? I've been anxious. I've never been happier to be poked 5 times at one Dr's visit (it wasn't fun, but it's for the better). I paid $40 for a Groupon I found for a dentist, took the bus and hiked in the rain up a steep hill past traffic to get to the dentist (and no cavities!). I have already bought some cute new outfits, and have a physical this week. That's all I'll say for now, stay tuned for more tomorrow, 2013. :)

Tis the Season of Fall

Fall:
vivid colors
crock pot cookin'
the smell of baked goods throughout the apartment
dressing up an outfit with a pair of boots and scarf
the sound of crunching leaves as you walk through campus
good enough weather to run after school
hiking
driving through the canyon
football
wearing sweats at night
late nights

Those are just a few highlights of fall :)

Here are some pictures I took when my roommates and I took a drive through the canyon last week:

I bet that you're jaw is hanging right now because you don't see this every day!!

And not to mention that my roommates and I find ourselves at football games.

     

As you may know, I also love to cook and bake when it gets into colder seasons. I even tried making an apple pie for the first time--crust and everything from scratch--and it was so good! (I will eventually post the recipe on my cooking blog.)

Other than that, I still have been as busy as can be with homework, exercising, and just hanging out. Yesterday was my birthday, during which my roommates took me to Kneaders for french toast in the morning, then I went with my dad to Tucano's for Lunch, and then the Relief Society broadcast and the ice cream parlor for Blue Bell Ice cream before a few minutes of shoe shopping. It was a lot of food, but I am glad I was able to spend yesterday with such great friends and family.

Anywho, so far fall has been just as great as always, and it's only begun :)

Transitioning from Summer to Fall

 Remember that summer list? Here is a recap:

Make friends at my apartment complex. Yes I did :) This summer was a lot more quiet than I expected it to be, but I enjoyed

Go running several times a week. This, too, is checked. I would alternate mornings between weight lifting and running 2 1/2 to 5 1/2 miles, which was so nice! It was always a great start to each morning and made me appreciate Sunday even more as a day of rest. My family and I even ran the CF run as well as the run for Millie. Now the challenge will be to keep up with it.

I even bought new running shoes :)

Go Swimming. I don't have any pictures of swimming, but I did a few times. One time I won't forget was when we played what ended up being "bouquet football." The guys were on one side of the pool in the water, and the girls on the other. One would toss the football to the other side, and everyone would dive in after it. It was pretty funny!

Listen to more country music. Yes ma'ams and sirs I did. I loved listening to it about every day at work.

 Not be afraid to wear my hair curly more often. This happened as well...

 

Buy at least one pair of colored jeans

Actually, I ended up buying a pair. Then I bought another, then two more. I guess you can count me in the colored pants club. I couldn't resist---they are a little too fun to wear :)

And this leads to the next one...enjoying summer treats. Holy moly this snow shack is the bomb-diggity! These snow cones were literally about the size of my head! They were too darn good. While back in my home town, I felt sorry for the students in middle school and high school that had to deal with the puny snow cones from Cup O Snow. They just don't compare to these :)

 
 Go with friends up to the mountains

We hiked up to some hot springs

First time hiking the Y.

Later this summer, I had the chance to peer mentor at Fol. Aspen Grove was stunning!

 Catch up on movies. So I ended up watching Brave, the new Spiderman movie, and the Dark Knight Returns. Spiderman was alright, but I adored Brave and I fell head over heels for the Dark Knight Rises; (honestly, though, I was on the edge of my seat during most of it.) Other than that, I really haven't seen too many movies this summer.


 Go see Wicked. You bet I did, and I adored it :)

Other things done on the list:

Breakfast for dinner
Have parties (well, ok, more like went to parties)
 Make cookies Nutella Rice Krispy treats for friends.
Go bowling (which was on a blind date with someone who was 6'7". Craziness!)
Sidewalk Chalk art: I didn't do my own artwork, but was able to go to the Chalk Art Festival with my cousin Caryn.

 Craft night

Run in the sprinlers Go down a huge slip and slide at a park

We had the whole ward at the activity, but this is a pic with a few of the girls

Go on swings at a park
 Go to the 4th of July parade/Freedom Festival: I only stayed in Provo for a little while, but I was still able to see the parade and fireworks

These events aren't in order--I just tried to write it according to the list
Did I do everything on the list? Nope. However, it was still a great summer!


 
 
Summer is in the past, and now I'm about to face the new school year. I'll admit, finding balance has been extremely difficult this week with new classes and working 18 hours a week (in which I have time to study during it.) I learned my lesson that I need to keep up with cardio exercise and strength training regularly. I'm signed up for Zumba and Ballet, but this week didn't cut it. I wasn't sore, felt that I wasn't working hard enough (and this week was more of an intro to the classes.) Yesterday I felt nauseous, exhausted, dizzy, from not enough sleep and not eating as well. My lungs felt tight and this mucus has been building up from not running. I decided I needed to hit the gym, so last night I lifted weights/did pilates for an hour and a half, and I went for a 4 mile run this morning to start the regimen again. So please excuse me as I may talk about balancing life every now and then. I'm not a pro at it and it is always a little tricky to find the right balance.

Now, about the whole not-enough-sleep thing...I have the greatest roommates! We have been staying up talking, eating pie, dying hair, and even went to the first football game of the season this week, and we won! They are some of the sweetest girls I have met and even though we may come from different backgrounds, we have already found things in common.

My days consist of going to classes then work (or vice versa), with hours in-between to study, get errands done, or lift weights, and then heading off to Zumba or ballet. Overall, I enjoy my classes :) You may say I'm trying to do too much, and this week has been crazy and again, I'm still looking for a good balance because this last week didn't cut it. As for now I'm looking forward to an even better school year!!