Adele - 21

I know the Adele album isn't supposed to be out in the US, but I managed to get the UK release, which was released in January. It has 5 more songs than the US version will initially release, who is to say they won't release them later, but why wait...

I fell head over heels in love with this album. There are 3 songs I have kept on repeat for the past week that I've had it. Tracks 1 - Rolling In The Deep, 11(recorded)/17(acoustic) - Someone Like You, 14 - I Found A Boy. I don't know, it's... well, to be perfectly honest, this album really struck a chord with  me. I could connect with nearly every lyric in these songs. I am willing to bet it's because Adele is my age. She was born in May of 1988. She is experiencing a lot of the same things I am and have, at the same ages. That is what makes an album great, isn't it? When you can connect with a song so entirely. . . Sunnie and I had a long conversation today about it all. How funny it is that these ages the 3 of us are at really are a time for growth, love, loss, and just learning who we are. It's the same with Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson who were both born in 1979. Their music and lyrics are incredibly simliar, but they still manage to resonate with people 10 years their junior... It's just the way of life I suppose. Emotions are the same no matter what age, race, or gender. Music is a way to release those emotions.

Track by track interview by Adele

Rolling The Deep

Someone Like You

P.S. On the UK Album Adele sings a Brandi Carlile cover. Hiding My Heart. May I just tell you I about peed my pants when this song came on. It is an acoustic recording, the original song. I had a mini freak out in my car, so much so I am pretty sure I freaked out the people driving next to me. My arms waving, mouth wide open as I screamed. . . I immediately sent Sunnie a text message, as I knew she would be able to fully  understand and appreciate the magic and wonder that is ADELE singing BRANDI... Oh. My. Holy. Goodness!!!

Who cares baby, I think I wanna Marry You!

I am sooo ready for summer! I'd like to kick off these shoes, and long pants. I am ready for warm weather, bare feet in the grass, and summer dresses! Not to mention Picnics in the mountains, swings at the park, and COLOR EVERYWHERE!!! GAH, why must Utah winter drag on forever!?

(p.s. I'm also looking forward to this day...)

Midgets, and Lollipops.

I was talking with my 'brother' Courtland yesterday night, and the topic of 'getting freaky' came up... So naturally, I rather bluntly offered up my opinion, and this is what fell out of my mouth...

"I don't care if it is lightly scented, and flavored like a lollipop, some things just don't belong in your mouth!"

Also, I had a rather comical argument/discussion with at little person about the use of the term 'midget.' Which happens to be what I call my younger siblings... It turned into an argument about the power of words, and how the 'dictionary' meaning behind a word doesn't seem to matter anymore in today's society. Needless to say, I won the argument.

And in keeping with my attempt at being Valentines open...

..

"A man, when he wishes, is the master of his fate."

I have this fascination with wishes. I've had it for as long as I can remember. There are so many things people wish upon. Stars, a time of day, dandelion seeds, four leaf clovers, birthday candles, necklace latches, fountain coins, shadows, sentimental items, the list goes on and on. So many wishes, so many dreams, so many hopes thrown out into the universe...
I find it all fascinating. Every person has a secret wish, or hope that they carry around with them. It's almost as though it's a warm stone in their pocket. Something they are always aware of. Always twirling around in their hand. I want to know what it is they are wishing for. I want to know why they are wishing for that one particular thing. I want to know if their wish ever comes true.

"Destiny has two ways of crushing us - by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them."
"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true."
“To a resolute mind, wishing to do is the first step toward doing. But if we do not wish to do a thing it becomes impossible.”

Beware The Sign

Dear Creepy, Gross, and Vile, Construction man...

The next time you stand in front of my vehicle for 15 minutes with your damned sign, and ask me for my phone number, I will not sit and argue with you -- I will happily beat you into the ground with your stop/slow sign.

Sincerely,
Jess

P.S. I really did have to pee.

Love Inspires

I've never really been one who enjoys Valentines Day. I find the holiday ridiculous. Very pink, very girly, it's all very cheesy. Not to mention the candy isn't all that great, and the cards are silly. 

Typically most people hate valentines day because they have no one to share it with. I've never spent a Valentines alone, so I suppose I wouldn't be able to truly appreciate it...? 

This year I will be celebrating this day with Aaron, purely because he asked me to give it an honest try. In an attempt to give this day a chance, here is my ode to Valentines Day.

Sideways Glances, and Judgemental Passes

This has been my  most controversial Facebook status update. There are a few remarks I refrained from saying on facebook, and have decided to put them here on my blog. If you don't like controversy, or just don't like the fact that I am vocal, and opinionated... then I'd suggest you stop reading this post. :)

Jessica Meredith Gustafson is a little confused... The woman at Walmart had a straight up 5 o'clock shadow.
(Perhaps confused is the wrong word. Shocked might have been a better word choice.)

Jennifer Crofts Sanda Lmao! I saw a woman on TV with a beard the other day! Sad day for them!
(Jennifer has had laser hair removal. The hair on her face started to grow in darker, with the increase in medications she was taking. It is a common side effect.)



Jessica Meredith Gustafson Amen!


Tasha  Seriously? I saw someone in my ward with a mustache!
(Many woman have a 'stache' thus the popularity of upper lip waxing.)


Adella It is a common side effect of PCOD or PCOS. There is every possibility that she is in a lot of pain, a lot of the time. Having your hormones all messed up sucks.
(Cousin Adella, I'd have to agree. Having your hormones all messed up does suck, but there are many ways to fix the side effects of that, especially when it is uncomfortable hair growth.)



Dianna eeek


Casey  Nice. Walmart is never without interesting folk.
(I will refer to this again later... but http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/)

Leah I'm so scared now. Women shouldn't have any o'clock shadow that's why there is waxing!!!
(Leah is one of the ones I mentioned. She goes in for waxing regularly. It isn't uncommon, and it doesn't make her less of a person. In fact, I find it commendable that she takes such good care of her personal hygiene! She has come a long way, and she will be the first to tell you that!)


Adella There times when you can't wax. Say like if you are getting laser hair removal, your doctor wants to keep an eye on the situation, or your skin is too sensitive. It is really a sad situation for the women. Your hormones make you feel halfwa...y male, halfway female. You gain weight easily, but it won't go away without some severe dieting and a hefty exercise routine, and even then it is slow going. Your menstral cycle is crazy erratic, and often means cramps that put labor to shame. You become insulin resistant so you are at a high risk of becoming diabetic. A lot of them spend years and years telling their doctors that something isn't quite right, just to have their doctors think they are just seeking attention, and by the time the doctors agree something is wrong you can't turn back the changes your body started. Depression is a side effect, but can you really blame them? Their bodies don't do the primary thing they were designed to: be female. Something we all take forgranted when it is just natural. When I see women in this state I just want to hug them because it isn't easy.
(I have no doubt it isn't easy, but this woman obviously did not care about her personal hygiene. She had tattoos from her ankles to her elbows. Her hair was greasy, and her clothing unwashed. People like that are really sad, but she is working at walmart. She has a regular paycheck. That would allow her to pay for a shower with soap and shampoo, laundromat, and her insurance would cover laser hair removal. She may have a $35 co-pay, but what is that amount every 3 months compared to the amount of shaving cream, razors, and the public humiliation that comes with being a woman with a 5 o'clock shadow?)

Eva Was the circus in town? ;)
(Come on now, this is just funny!)

Jessica Meredith Gustafson I hope not! Clowns give me the heebe jeebies.


Katie Some rude, inappropriate comments for someone who probably wishes every day they didn't have the problem.
(This is where it gets controverisal.)
Jessica Meredith Gustafson Katie, if it makes you feel better, I at first couldn't tell if it was part of her tattoo collection, or a real 5 o'clock shadow. I was genuinely surprised.


Katie Im glad it makes people feel better and superior to judge and make fun of people who look different. This is why our world and society is the way it is.
(I was floored by this comment for two reasons. 1: That entire comment is a judgement. and 2: Based upon the comments that had been made up to this point, no one was having superiority issues, unless you count Katie.. No one was making direct comments to taunt this cashier, if you'll read them again you'll notice no one was even really talking about her personally, but more about the fact that facial hair on woman is based upon hormones, and it is probably an uncomfortable situation for those who suffer with it. Now had someone said 'That woman should be put in the circus' or 'She must have gotten a sex change' then I would understand where Katie was coming from.)Jessica Meredith Gustafson Katie, calm down. Most of the people who commented on this status are good people. No one was seriously making fun of her. Personally.


Jessica Meredith Gustafson Katie, calm down. Most of the people who commented on this status are good people. No one was seriously making fun of her. Personally.


Katie Im not sa