23 goals/adventures/things before 24

Well, here it is, this year's list of 23 things to do before I turn 24:
1. Scrapbook my London experience
2. Graduate from BYU
3. Complete an internship
4. Get a full time job
5. Go to Washington D.C.
6. Visit somewhere I've never been
7. Get a credit card
8. Go to the temple at least once each month
9. Do something that scares me
10. Move out of my parent's house
11. Finish my quilt (or at least start it)
12. Work on Family History
13. Blog once a week
14. Visit Alyson and Kenny in Florida
15. Visit Nick and Amanda in Virginia
16. Visit a national park
17. Take the GRE
18. Fall in love with a person, place, or hobby
19. Become a runner
20. Be better at staying in touch with friends
21. Accomplish all 12 of my new year's resolutions
22. Forgive
23. Visit campus with my parents and have them tell me stories from when they were in college (this counts as family history, right?)

another beginning

In so many ways, I feel like I am getting a new, fresh start at life right now.  It's a new year, a new semester, a new climate(why hello, Siberia), new clothes(yay for Christmas! thanks mom and dad!) and a new diet(not that kind of diet).  On the other hand, however, everything seems the same, same apartment, same school, same job, and same stresses.  As school began last week, I couldn't help but remember what and where I was last Winter Semester.

Studying in London was one of the biggest decisions I've ever made in my life and I will never be the same person.  I learned so much while in Europe, but not necessarily in the classroom or the museums, but about me.  I was forced to decide who I am.  One of the last days in London, I promised myself a couple of things: 1. I would have no regrets.  I would not regret going and I would not regret doing/not doing anything.
2. I would move on and continue living.  I went to London and loved it, but I would not spend time living in the past.  I am so happy I made these promises.  Over the past few days, I have decided that I want to make these promises to myself about every day.  I want to continue to learn about who I am and grow into the person I want to be, but I can't do that if I have regrets or live in the past.

Also, you all probably thought I had forgotten about informing you of things that I like about BYU, but I have not.  The following are things that I like about BYU:
1. I like that I go to the same school as my brother and sister-in-law.  I am so happy that I get to see Nick and Amanda on campus, especially this year since they are moving this summer.
2. I am thankful that we can pray at the beginning of class.  Although prayers don't begin every class, it is still such a unique opportunity.
3. I love the clock tower that chimes each hour and lets me know how late I am for work.
4. I love that campus helps me stay in shape.  Okay, so this is a love/hate relationship, but I love that campus is big. (I can avoid people)
5. I love that CES Firesides are usually broadcast from the Marriott Center.  As well as Regional Conference.  Sunday was especially fun because President Uchtdorf talked to us for just a minute before the broadcast.  Just. to. us.

Last but not least, I am being totally serious when I say you HAVE to read this blog.  I have linked to it before, and those who followed my command thanked me later because it is the funniest blog I have ever read.

no shave november

There I was at Smith's grabbing a doughnut of all things when a tattooed man appeared and informed me that I had nice calves.  I was wearing a skirt and sneakers and the following could be a picture taken of my very un-shaved legs that day:



I was already feeling self conscious because my legs were super inappropriate to have out in public AND I was grabbing a doughnut.  The doughnut was totally worth it though.