22 things before I'm 23

My birthday is coming up at the end of the week, and I want to make a list of 22 things to do before I'm 23. I want all of my closest friends and family members input though, which means those people who read my blog, because, obviously, you are the ones who care about me the most.  Please, any suggestions would be welcome. A couple of things I have already thought of in the past three minutes since I decided I want to do this:
1. Blog more(once a week maybe?)
2. Read the entire Book of Mormon
3. Be able to a. swim a mile or b. run a 10k without stopping
4. No do any homework on Sundays

(Picture from my birthday last year.  Read about it here)

gag me

Okay, I know I said I was going to try to share some of my favorite things about BYU, well today I experienced something I had only ever heard of- a couple in class cuddling.  CUDDLING.  IN CLASS.  A dedicated building.  The lecture wasn't even that good.  I could be more open minded about something such as this occurring in prep for eternal marriage or something, but we were learning about Family Tree and it's ancestors (new.familysearch, familysearch, PAF).  NOT ROMANTIC.

Now for something I like about BYU.  When I went to sign up for my spring and summer term classes, there were SO MANY spots open!  Yay!

watch out-I've been thinking

It's one of those crazy things about life that as soon as you find out you can't do something it automatically becomes the thing you want to do more than anything else.  Some examples if you're not sure you have ever actually experienced it:

Scenario 1: You just decided to go on a diet that does not include any sweets.  The next afternoon the only thing you can think about is that chocolate frosted donut and those peanut M&Ms in the cupboard.

Scenario 2: You HATE shaving your legs, but then your razor breaks right as you finally go to shave for the first time in two months and it's a super crazy week and you don't have time to go buy a new one.  For those two months, you didn't mind your hairy legs, but now, all you can think about is that think sweater appearing on your gams and you can't stand it, the only thing you want to do is shave and you want to do it RIGHT NOW.

Okay, so maybe those weren't the best examples, but I have been experiencing this sort of thing recently, not with donuts or shaving my legs necessarily, but it just got me thinking about the whole issue and why our minds work this way.

diet time

In my post yesterday, I mentioned a new diet, and I'm sure those of you who actually read my blog(Holla Anna and Elissa), have been anxiously awaiting to find out what I even mean by this.  Well, here it is: I am eating gluten free.  Which means no wheat, barley or rye for this girl.

So far, I have actually been surprised at how easy it has been.  I mean, don't get me wrong, those doughnuts at the grocery store looked SO GOOD last night, but I've stayed strong.  I am really hoping that eating gluten free just helps me feel better.  Last semester I often just didn't feel well.  I mean, I wasn't sick, but I wasn't well, so I am ready to hopefully feel much better.  If you all are lucky, maybe I'll share some of my favorite gluten free recipes with you, but we'll see...  Wish me luck!

Also, as a completely random side note, my mom dropped me off at college today.  Love you mom!!

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.

today

Winter semester starts today.  I'm still in denial as I lay in bed writing this post.  Don't get me wrong, I am happy I am getting an education, but it's the homework and the stress.  Lecture=fun. Homework=worst ever.  In order to try to enjoy this semester more, I am going to find one thing that I at least like about BYU every single day.  Although I won't blog every day, I will be sure to keep you updated on my thoughts and feelings.

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.