report card of my 23rd year

Last year I made a list of 23 things I wanted to do before I turned 24.  My 24th birthday has already come and gone so here is my annual report card:
1. Scrapbook my London experience: F- This didn't happen.  I didn't even consider making this happen.
2. Graduate from BYU: A!!  So happy!  I even have my pocket sized diploma already!
3. Complete an internship: A Yep, this one was easy!
4. Get a full time job: C So this is sort of done... I have a full time job set up for the summer.
5. Go to Washington D.C.: A HOlla!!  So fun.  DC was simply wonderful and I cant wait to go back again someday!
6. Visit somewhere I've never been: A++ Maui, Hawaii, Washington DC, Charlottesville VA, Jacksonville FL, Houston TX, San Antonio TX... I kicked trash with travelling this year!
7. Get a credit card: F
8. Go to the temple at least once each month: A I totally killed this one.  I went more often than once a month and it was marvellous!  I have a stronger testimony of the temple
9. Do something that scares me:  B  I did some things that scare me, but I had to think of them.  There wasn't really one huge thing, so I gave myself a B.
10. Move out of my parent's house: Hahahahaha F
11. Finish my quilt (or at least start it): B- I worked on both of my quilts but neither is finished...
12. Work on Family History: F
13. Blog once a week: F. I need to aim a little lower this time around.
14. Visit Alyson and Kenny in Florida: A
15. Visit Nick and Amanda in Virginia: A
16. Visit a national park: A (I forgot until this morning that I accomplished this while I was in Hawaii!  I went to Haleakala National Park.)
17. Take the GRE: F (This may be on this year's list though...)
18. Fall in love with a person, place, or hobby: C+
19. Become a runner: B+.
20. Be better at staying in touch with friends: C
21. Accomplish all 12 of my new year's resolutions: D (Since I didn't even make any after March...)
22. Forgive: A.  I definitely improved on this, but this will be a lifelong goal for sure!
23. Visit campus with my parents and have them tell me stories from when they were in college (this counts as family history, right?) F

Family Time

My second major vacation this summer was filled with family.  First, I went with my parents and Brian to Florida to see Alyson and Kenny.  Of course theme parks were involved. First, we went to Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

The day at Epcot was beautiful and not even too hot!  We totally lucked out with the weather and it barely rained the entire time we were in Florida!

After spending two days in the parks we needed a brake so we spent a day shopping and relaxing and a day in Jacksonville seeing Alyson and Kenny's home! 

After getting all rested up we headed to the Magic Kingdom.  It was in the Magic Kingdom that I got to see my totally cool former roommate Mehlanie!  Mehlanie knows more about everything Disney than anyone else in the world. 

After riding Pirates of the Caribbean my dad decided he would rather be a pirate than a PR guy.

The next two days were spent at each of the Universal parks, Islands of Adventure then Universal Studios.  The highlight of both days was Harry Potter World.  We missed the opening of Diagon Alley in Universal Studios by just a couple of weeks which was disappointing, but Hogsmeade and Hogwarts were AMAZING.  The ride inside the castle is hands down the coolest ride I have ever ridden in my entire life.

Don't even worry, we spent some time in Springfield with the Simpsons, but the best part of that was the doughnut that was as big as my head.  It was delicious!!

I also couldn't get over how much minion stuff there was to buy!  I just wanted to buy it all because minions are the best!

(This is just one wall in an entire store dedicated only to minions)

On our last day we went to Disney Studios.  I don't think I have ever been so hot in my life.  We happened to be there on the most crowded weekend of the year - Star Wars weekend.  Mark Hamel was even there, but we were there for the rides, not some old actors.  Luckily, I got to see Mehlanie one last time.

Overall, the week was a blast and I can't wait to go back again!  Although I love the Universal parks, there's just nothing that can match the atmosphere and magic in the Disney parks!  And they're a million times better when shared with family and friends!!

Summer Vacation

It's been a while since I last updated. Basically, I went on some summer vacations which included vacationing from blogging.

First, as noted in the previous post, I went on vacation to HAWAII!!!  It was so wonderful!  Ever since coming home I keep trying to think of an excuse to go back to that island paradise.  I got to go with the coolest cat the the world: Anna.  Anna had been to Maui before so she was extremely nice to be my tour guide the entire time.

First things first: the lava fields.  Who knew the Hawaiian islands are just a bunch of volcanoes in the middle of the Pacific?!

 

The windy Road to Hana was filled with majestic views of the rain forest and it even included a hike that ended in a waterfall!! (that was one of my goals for Hawaii-to go on a hike that ended with a waterfall!  Anna made it happen.  She is a pro at reading guide books!)

 

A true vacation is obviously not complete without eating donuts at least once.  Once again, Anna came through and we got some of the most amazing donuts which I have ever had.  To make them even better they were on a stick!

There's a blowhole on the island that we decided we should see.  What we didn't know was that we would have to hike at least 100 miles to see it.  Luckily, the scenery was worth it.

 

On the way to the blowhole we found Jurassic Park right off the side of the road.  We almost didn't even stop but we were happy we did.

 

 

Don't even worry, we also got to drive to the top of a mountain to a crater (which is a really good idea-putting a road to the top of a mountain so you don't have to hike!). The mountain was so tall we had to drive through the clouds to get there.

Of course we also got to go to the beach and relax by the pool while we were there!

 

post-graduation plans... sort of

A couple of weeks ago I graduated:

So I decided I deserve a vacation:

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?)

holla

So I've made zero progress in accomplishing the run/walk plan I mentioned in this post, but don't you worry because this morning I got up at 5:35 AM and went on a bike ride with my momma.  It felt so good and I'm so happy I went even though I have been literally falling asleep at work today, it was totally worth it.  I hope that I'll be able to remember how awesome it was and I'll be able to get up early for the rest of the summer to exercise!

On a completely separate note, I am leaving tomorrow to make my way to CALIFORNIA and I can't wait. The beach, shopping, Disneyland, and just everything about Southern California is so great.  Be ready for the greatest blog post of your lives when I get back (Or rather a super long post about me and my amazing trip to California).

I got this picture on geoguessr right after my last post.  I guessed off the coast of California.  It was in Australia.

greatest game on the world wide web

If you're looking for a break from:

a hard day at work
your homework
facebook
your family
your roommates
life in general

I have found the answer to your prayers.  It's called Geoguessr.  It's a game that uses google street view from around the world to make you guess where you are.  Just try it out and let it change your life.  If you're feeling really confident, you can even challenge me to a game, but I am pretty good at it-just sayin.

Note: I was not paid to write this post, these opinions are completely mine and I wanted to share them with you because I love you and want to share my happiness with you.

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.