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Showing posts with label Lifes Little Adventures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lifes Little Adventures. Show all posts

Autumn Kissed

All day, all I have wanted is to go on a drive up an Autumn kissed canyon. To park. To walk around the fire trees, and drink in the beautiful color that encompasses me -- while I breathe in the cool air and feel invigorated once again.


Autumn...
The season of the artist.

My favorite season.
How I wish it stayed just a bit longer,
But then,
We probably wouldn't appreciate it as much. . .

Such is the way we are.
Frivolous.
Always wanting what we can't have...

So, we wait. . .

Wait. . .

and Wait. . .

For that one magic day in September when the first leaf begins the change...
And the color slowly moves in...
Starting in the mountains, and cascading down to the valleys...

Oh, to be a part of the movement...


The song of choice for this color adventure of mine? It could only be...
Pink Martini - Hang On Little Tomato


Paired With...
Sweet Pea - Amos Lee




And...
Pink Martini - Song Of The Black Swan




Mopar girl meets Ford Focus

I never thought I would ever say I enjoy a Ford. Me, the Mopar [Chrystler, Jeep, Dodge] girl driving around a white 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 SE. Yes, that is right. I now own a Ford Focus. Aaron got it for me. I hate my Chevy, and Aaron hates trying to fix my Chevy... so he got me a Ford.

Isn't it cute?

Just Call Me Sadie

Can you name the movie my title came from?

Well, I figured while I get the A-Typical married blog all set up I will update my blog on the wedding. In short, it was a royal pain in the ass!! 5 days before the wedding my car died. (It is still parked at Prime, next to my motorcycle.) 2 days before the wedding my mom bailed out, Saying I was a selfish Bitch and my wedding wasn't all about me. Also that Eva was frustrated with me, and I shouldn't be so demanding. All I said was I didn't want a penis cake at my bachelorette party... oh, and Aaron and I had ordered an ice cream cake because we don't particularly enjoy cake. (All that drama over cake. Ridiculous. But, She was right about one thing, my wedding wasn't all about me because it wasn't just my wedding. It was Aaron's too. So we made decisions together. Heaven forbid.) Anyway... after my mom bailed out of the wedding I called Eva to make sure things were okay with her. She was fine, and didn't care if Aaron and I had an ice cream cake because it was our wedding. She also let me know if she had been frustrated she would have told me. So, with that settled, I went to my dad and talked with him. He said he would make sure my mom didn't cancel the food order from Costco, and he would help pick it up. The day before the wedding I had my Maid Of Honor-Johanna with me, and Tasha Kay. They came along g for the dress fitting and hung out with Aaron and I for the rest of the day! That night we joined Brooke, Sunnie, and Jennifer back at the apartment for a small get together while Aaron put our table together in the kitchen. We had Jenn and Jo sleep over in the living room so I would have help in the morning. Well, the morning arrived and as I was in the shower, Aaron explained to my girls I had to eat during the day or I would be cranky. I was already cranky. We had found out at 1am that night my mother had bought a shirt for the wedding, was coming and wanted Jo and I to come over for breakfast. We opted to not. We had too much to do. Well, with all that lovely stress, I lost it. I started having heart pains during the night, but brushed them off. Bad idea. While I was in the shower my  heart gave a wicked twist, skipped a few beats, and I just started sobbing. I shut off the water, got a towel and walked right out to Aaron. Who at first didn't quite know how to react with me in a towel... but, he recovered and just pulled me into a hug, and calmed me down.  He left to finish a few last minute details like picking up and setting up tables and chairs. I pulled myself together and got ready for the day. Jenn drove me to Sunnie who helped me with my hair. However... at Redwood intersection of 4100so. and Redwood Rd there was an accident. A white mini van driven by an illegal immigrant with no insurance had hit a cop on a motorcycle. She hit him so hard it totaled the van, knocked the cop out of his boots, shot him 60ft in the air and 20ft out. You could still hear him screaming in the gutter when I got to the salon. Needless to say, traffic was a nightmare. It got even better when I learned Aaron had come back to the apartment while I was with Sunnie, Jo had left the apartment, and it was now locked. My keys were inside. I had to call Aaron, and wait for him to unlock the door so Jo and I could get my dress put together. Anyway... we were running late. Classic right? Late to your own wedding... but we were late for helping set up... Until we realized there was traffic all the way down 9th east. We spent 45 minutes trying to get from 4500 so to 6200so... doesn't normally take that long. Hahaha! In the end it went alright. We lined up and attempted to walk without laughing too hard. Miranda and Emma had started the walk, but rather than follow the words of everyone and walk to my mom at the front, they sort of wandered. Ryan cracked a joke, and we all started to snicker. It was so fitting. The rest of the evening proceeded to be unpredictable, and quite memorable. Though we still have yet to get our wedding pictures back... we had two photographers. Both talented men, and we are infinitely grateful for offering your services! My daddy teared up as he explained the choice for the song we danced to. My dad wrote the song. It was a song I used to fall asleep to as a child. I would stay up as long as my eyes would let me and listen to him write this song. The older I get, the more I understand the song, 'The Road' which you can actually get on itunes. (The road - The M-AK) It was just a fun evening! Aaron and I left a bit early. We were both exhausted, and just ready to leave. We ran through a a bridge of sparklers to a very decorated truck, and parted ways with our guests. At the apartment we received another surprise. Jenn had made a path of rose petals and candles that led from our front door to our bed. I literally laughed, right out loud. I couldn't help it. It was just too picturesque, and I was so flattered at her attempt to make at least one thing about us. Aaron carried me across the thresh-hold in true Aaron/gentlemanly style. Together we blew out the candles, cleaned up the petals and changed our clothes. We had friends coming over. We spent the rest of the evening with friends, and then sleeping. Yes. Sleeping. No sex. Just sleeping. The weekend followed suit. We left the city on Sunday and went up to Petes Hole for a few days. Which were lovely and exactly what I wanted! This first month has been fantastic! Being married to Aaron feels so natural. Which has been a blessing, as real life hit us kind of hard the weeks before and after our wedding. But Aaron is unbelievable! He knows how I work, and he just understands what I need without my saying anything! We have been living true to newlywed style. Flat broke. Hahaha! Which I am truly grateful for! I never wanted to be given the easy life when I first started out. We have been blessed to be able to make ends meet, and not having over-drawn bank accounts. But it is a matter of serious budget work, and learning to trust and lean on one another. We have constantly remind ourselves that we have more than others, and family that has been working above and beyond to help us out! I am so excited to see what happens with our next billion months together!

Reversed Deja Vu

I am coming up on the 3 year mark to the single most frightening experience of my short life time. May 21, 2008 will forever be a day that I remember. I still dream about it, and the 4 weeks that followed it. I still wonder how people reacted, what went through their minds, and what they felt. In the moments I do remember, I know how I felt. I know how I reacted, and I know what was going through my mind. There are mornings when the dreams are so real I wake up with the taste of hospital in my mouth, and the scent of gauze still haunting me. I read something today that reminded me of the morning I finally let myself cry. The morning I finally gave myself a moment to fall into weakness, and feel the fear I'd been denying for so long. At the end of that I made a promise to myself. I chose life. I promised I would forever choose life, and no matter what happened next, I was going to survive through it all. 

"I’m in this for the long run, and even though my world is uncertain and changing, I want nothing more than to live an extraordinary life. I may be lonely, scared, and little sad at the moment, but I think that that’s alright...for now. I am being stretched constantly, and all I can do is breathe, and try to choose between what’s right and easy."
 
So far, I have. I have not only survived, but I have learned how to live! I am happy, and I am in this for the long run! I am running as fast as time will let me, and I am pushing boundaries I have never dared to push. Until now. I couldn't be more excited, and scared for what is happening, and what has yet to happen. This is a good thing! I can feel it. I am learning. I am growing. And, I am where I am supposed to be. 

No one really knows the end, or what will happen, though we may plan every detail... it's all a test of faith.
I suppose that is half the excitement. . .

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...

..

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.

Toilet Flushes and Sunny Delight Bottles

The new suspicion is that I have type 2 Diabetes, and while it really wouldn't surprise me, I kind of don't want to find out if I do or not. (Stupid if I don't relent, but it's me. I'll procrastinate as long as I can.) But because Aaron said please, and Jennifer threatened me, I called a medical professional and while they agree it sounds like diabetes, I have to schedule a blood test to prove it. Joy.

 I hate needles.

How this suspicion was put on the table?

Tuesday evening:
"Go pee again?"
"Yes, where did you think I went?"
"Jess, I think you need to be tested for diabetes."
"Where on earth did that come from?"
"You pee a lot."
"What does that have to do with Diabetes?"
"It's one of the symptoms."

I am already hypoglycemic/anemic . I always knew becoming a diabetic was a possibility, but I have this thing called a superwoman complex... So, when my hypoglycemia suddenly seemed to be on steroids, I started to wonder, but pushed those thoughts away. Until my lovingly observant boyfriend decided to point out I pee a lot... Thanks Aaron. He's mentioned before he felt I might be leaning more towards being a diabetic a few times, but when I ignored that idea he let it drop... until now. Now that the signs are neon colored, and sound a lot like a constant flushing toilet.

What are the symptoms you ask, well:
  • Fatigue: In diabetes, the body is inefficient and sometimes unable to use glucose for fuel. The body switches over to metabolizing fat, partially or completely, as a fuel source. This process requires the body to use more energy. The end result is feeling fatigued or constantly tired. (This one is funny for me. I'll fall asleep everywhere, and not realize I've fallen asleep until I wake up... Bad news... I have slept through more alarms in these past few months than I have in my 22 years... Lame. Oh, and I can sleep for a full 10 hours, take a nap halfway through the day, and still be exhausted by 10 pm. I used to function beautifully on 4-6 hours.)
  • Unexplained weight loss: People with diabetes are unable to process many of the calories in the foods they eat. Thus, they may lose weight even though they eat an apparently appropriate or even excessive amount of food. Losing sugar and water in the urine and the accompanying dehydration also contributes to weight loss. (My pants have never really fit me very well, because I don't believe 0 is a size, but apparently it's my size now. Yeah... thank you karma...)
  • Excessive thirst (polydipsia): A person with diabetes develops high blood sugar levels, which overwhelms the kidney's ability to reabsorb the sugar as the blood is filtered to make urine. Excessive urine is made as the kidney spills the excess sugar. The body tries to counteract this by sending a signal to the brain to dilute the blood, which translates into thirst. The body encourages more water consumption to dilute the high blood sugar back to normal levels and to compensate for the water lost by excessive urination. (The only thing that even gives me some sort of relief from the constant thirst is orange juice/Sunny Delight. Random? Yeah, I think so too. At any rate I have downed 2 gallons of Sunny D in 4 days, I fill a glass of water, and a water bottle every night, who knows how many drinks Aaron has bought for me... Yeah, I thought I had to pee all the time because I was constantly thirsty... It would make sense right!?)
  • Excessive urination (polyuria): Another way the body tries to get rid of the extra sugar in the blood is to excrete it in the urine. This can also lead to dehydration because excreting the sugar carries a large amount of water out of the body along with it. (This, This is the one that annoys the dickens out of me!!! I counted how many times I peed yesterday -- 15 times in the 12 hours that I was awake. Pathetic!)
  • Excessive eating (polyphagia): If the body is able, it will secrete more insulin in order to try to deal with the excessive blood sugar levels. Moreover, the body is resistant to the action of insulin in type 2 diabetes. One of the functions of insulin is to stimulate hunger. Therefore, higher insulin levels lead to increased hunger and eating. Despite increased caloric intake, the person may gain very little weight and may even lose weight. (I actually kind of like this one. I've experienced so many more foods now, because I'm usually dizzy enough [meaning I need food asap] to eat just about anything! It's been kind of fun... Hahaha!)
  • Poor wound healing: High blood sugar levels prevent white blood cells, which are important in defending the body against bacteria and also in cleaning up dead tissue and cells, from functioning normally. When these cells do not function properly, wounds take much longer to heal and become infected more frequently. Also, long-standing diabetes is associated with thickening of blood vessels, which prevents good circulation including the delivery of enough oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues. (Bruises have appeared out of no where. I don't bruise easily, but suddenly I have these massive bruises all over my legs. I've had a sick looking bruise just above my left knee for 2 months now. It is slowly getting lighter, it's a little wicked. This was the first thing I really noticed truth be told. I had a cut on my finger that took about 3 weeks to heal, when normally something like that took maybe a few days. Not Kosher!)
  • Infections: Certain infection syndromes, such as frequent yeast infections of the genitals, skin infections, and frequent urinary tract infections, may result from suppression of the immune system by diabetes and by the presence of glucose in the tissues, which allows bacteria to grow well. They can also be an indicator of poor blood sugar control in a person known to have diabetes. (This is a little gross, but -- I had my first UTI in January of 2009. I've had at least 5 since then. Not sure if that is normal or not, but it was a point of interest for medical personnel.)
  • Altered mental status: Agitation, unexplained irritability, inattention, extreme lethargy, or confusion can all be signs of very high blood sugar, ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemia nonketotic syndrome, or hypoglycemia (low sugar). Thus, any of these merit the immediate attention of a medical professional. Call your health care provider. (I am already hypoglycemic... Ta da! Oh yeah, and I've been wicked ornery lately. Tasha, Aaron, Jennifer, are all witness to it. OH! And I've become paranoid about a few things that are completely illogical... Cool right? Bonus? I am now more stubborn than ever!)
  • Blurry vision: Blurry vision is not specific for diabetes but is frequently present with high blood sugar levels. (And I thought I just needed to have my glasses prescription adjusted! I can't see worth crap at night. It gets a little scary sometimes. Though this is the symptom that has really caught my attention. I've been noticing I can't see as far as I was able to even just a few months ago, and I can't see the lines on the road at night. This one seemed to happen all at once for me. It's been the only thing that really worries me. I simply associated the rest with my failure to keep up with my dietary needs of late coming back to bite me in the ass.) 


We will just have to see where this goes, but as for right now... I'm pretending I am still just the normal Jess, with the exception of needing to be near a toilet at all times. I'll let you know what happens when I go in for the blood test next week, or the week following... whenever I get around to getting it done... :)

Life's Little Adventures - Updated

I believe in honor of the new year, I will re-post my 'Life List' and update those items I have accomplished.

The ones in bold I have already accomplished.
1.) Tour the UK and Egypt  
2.) Learn to speak French and Spanish fluently  
3.) Swim the English Chanel 
4.) Be financially stable enough to donate to others  
5.) Find balance between taking care of myself and giving to others
6.) Go camping
7.) Go skydiving  
8.) Go Ivy League 
9.) Get Over fear of Mexico 
10.) Fall in love with my best friend  
11.) Go on a cruise  
12.) Buy a car, of my choice.  
13.) Acquire as many old books as possible
14.) Memorize how to spell pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis 
15.) Visit the East Coast during autumn  
16.) Finish the 50 books to read before you die list 
17.) Go abroad and teach English  
18.) Kiss a boy from every zodiac sign
19.) Live outside of Utah 
20.) Move out of my parents house  
21.) Reconnect with people from my childhood
22.) Find that one soul I can take to 'Neverland' 
23.) Do something with my photography 
24.) Learn the constellations 
25.) Go to Disneyland, and Disneyworld  
26.) Get my Bachelors degree before I’m 25  
27.) Visit the temple every week for a year
28.) Jump a waterfall 
29.) Pay a compliment to someone every day for a year
30.) Experience New York 
31.) Go back to Washington D.C. and tour everything there 
32.) Ride an elephant 
33.) Learn to play the piano well 
34.) Get baptized. 
35.) Climb Ensign Peak every week for a summer
36.) Be able to beat all the 'Gus' girls in a race 
37.) Sell a photograph I have taken 
38.) Learn to ski/snowboard 
39.) Learn calligraphy 
40.) Lose fear of singing in public 
41.) Read a 1,000 page book. 
42.) Go Kayaking/canoeing  
43.) Run mile in 5 min 
44.) Join ballroom team 
45.) Earn all girl scout patches. 
46.) Set up a steady savings account 
47.) Memorize a poem longer than 5 stanzas
48.) Play in an orchestra  
49.) Visit Amish country  
50.) Kiss in the rain  
51.) See the Aurora Borealis  
52.) Learn to play the guitar well 
53.) Find someone I trust with everything and anything  
54.) Write a book and get it published  
55.) Bear my testimony in sacrament 
56.) Have an extensive vocabulary  
57.) Make-out in a walk in refrigerator/freezer, car wash, and the SLC library 
58.) Reach over 10,000 songs on itunes 
59.) Kiss a stranger  
60.) Help someone else gain self-confidence
61.) Visit every art museum in Utah 
62.) Visit all 50 states 
63.) Learn to love everyone around me for who they are, and are trying to be 
64.) Build a tree house 
65.) Plant a garden 
66.) Own my own house 
65.) Re-gain contact with a best friend from the past
66.) Develop own style 
67.) Graduate from High School 
68.) Graduate from College 
69.) Learn to do flips and handsprings 
70.) Fill a sketch book 
71.) Learn to paint 
72.) Write a song and sing it for someone 
73.) Get married in the temple 
74.) Free climb a cliff face 
75.) Learn to rappel 
76.) Tend a rose garden I planted 
77.) Tell someone I love them and mean it whole heartedly 
78.) Appreciate the small things every day for a year
79.) Be the first to point out the silver lining in every bad situation for a month
80.) Write a gratitude moment every day in journal for a month
81.) Experience something no one else has 
82.) Develop a true relationship with Christ 
83.) Learn to be self-less 
84.) Go streaking and skinny dipping
85.) Make a new friend every month
86.) Go backpacking
87.) Learn to shoot a gun
88.) Dance naked around a bonfire
89.) Go hunting
90.) Drive a truck

Mkay, I fail at blogging take 567...

Here is the un-official announcement that I have dragged my feet about posting.

The story of Aaron and Jess:

Initially I met, or sort of met Aaron at the 2009 Super Bowl party. ( You know, the one between the Steelers and the Cardinals. Where the Steelers WON!!!) Aaron is Patrick DeVaney's best friend, and I happened to be friends with Amber DeVaney. I was sitting on the couch watching the game, when Patrick and Aaron come smashing through the room and sit on top of the people sitting on one of the couches, being loud, and rude, and pardon my French, but royal Assholes to everyone. My distaste for someone had never been peaked so quickly. What irked me even more, was Aaron carried himself differently from anyone else in the room. There was such a different spirit around him. I'd felt that pull from someone once before, and I wanted nothing to do with it, especially if the guy was as rude and pompous, and self-righteous as Aaron seemed to be. (Ironically enough, Aaron immediately 'wrote me off' that night as well. He though Cameron was mine. He'd dated girls with kids before and wanted none of it!) In fact, when Amber started pointing to people and telling me who they were, and sort of informally introducing me to those I didn't know, I got up and left when she said "This is Aaron." I really didn't want to know him! I used Cameron as an excuse. (I had him with me as my family was on their cruise. Cameron was 6 weeks old at this point. If you'll remember this post from that time. I had stayed behind to watch baby, and make sure he had someone there that knew what was going on, and that he was familiar with.) Over the course of the year I grew closer to Amber, and got to know Patrick fairly well. Their dad Lonnie would share his opinion of "You should date Aaron" each time I came over. I made the mistake of asking who it was that owned the Dodge Viper SRT. I received quite the shock when I learned it was Aaron's truck. My first thought: ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!? THAT ASSWIPE OWNS ONE OF THE SEXIEST TRUCKS ON THIS GREAT GREEN EARTH!?!?!?!?!?!?  
 (This was the truck. Pee-your-pants gorgeous right!?)  The hard truth? Yes, he did, but he sold it as car payments+fuel+Insurance= No money for anything else. He now drives Buck, which I am absolutely in love with. Aaron is well aware I am only dating him for his truck and marrying him for his money. :) (For those of you who can't read sarcasm -- I am totally joking. I actually like Aaron, but only just a little bit. I promise!) Anyway, I avoided Aaron, and he stayed clear of me. I honestly did not like the guy! I couldn't understand how he had friends. He still wanted nothing to do with me, as no one had informed him I did not have a baby. (Because apparently I looked like I'd just had a kid... Yeah, couldn't break my peak of 109 lbs at that point in time, thank you dentist/hospital/heart!) There were a few moments when I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, then he and Patrick would do something stupid and annoying. At Amber's wedding in October Aaron was sort of forced to stop in and say hello to me while I was curling Monica's hair in the bathroom. Lonnie and Patrick wouldn't quit bugging him about it. I however, was super annoyed with him. He was being moody, and beyond ornery. I thought he should just go home if he was going to be a bother the whole day! It wasn't until this summer that we even started talking. Patrick put up a picture of Aaron dressed up as Joe Dirt/Hillbilly. I commented and said "Aaron, we should be friends." He took me seriously, and I accepted. He didn't place who I was, just that I'd said we should be friends I wasn't actually being serious when I'd said that. I was being facetious, he didn't quite catch that part, so he sent a friend request on Facebook. I accepted the request via mobile Facebook. I knew I knew his name, but couldn't place where from, or why it felt so familiar, but I had the distinct impression I needed to accept his request. Aaron began to comment on my status updates, and we'd have mini conversations over Facebook. After about a month (July '10) of these Facebook comment conversations Patrick started to insist Aaron liked me. I didn't think anything of it. I had no interest in seriously dating anyone. I was quite happy with my flippant ways, and my very open, very versatile dating life! I learned Aaron didn't want to date. Period. To put it simply, he'd been through Hell and back with several different girls, and had given up. Meanwhile, God had a different plan for us. Sunnie and I ended up going to Lava Hot Springs for the ward camp out. We both felt like we needed to go, though neither of us really wanted to go, or understood why we felt a strong need to be there. In the end I am really glad we did go. We found Patrick, and Aaron sitting in one of the Hot Springs, and sat down with them. Almost immediately Patrick splashed me and Aaron pulled me under. Hello, nice second-first impression... HA! The next morning (that night wasn't all that amazing... Sun and I were told the wrong location, so we pitched our tent with a bunch of stranger. Aaron and Gavin came over, carried our tend [which was still up] and moved it to the right location) Sunnie and I stuck with Patrick and Aaron. Chatted it up, and left early with them. We followed them to a random location where I was taught how to shoot a gun. :) Sunnie was re-taught how to shoot, but Aaron ended up feeling stupid when Sunnie hit the target right off the bat. Aaron - "You already knew how to shoot a gun didn't you." Sunnie - "I'm a hunter's daughter." Aaron - "Well I feel like an idiot now." BAH hahahahaha! We still laugh about that! You know what is funny about all of this, I didn't process this was the Super-bowl idiot until after I realized I had a small sort of crush on Aaron... Ironic right? Aaron asked me to be his girlfriend Sept. 10, sitting in the back of his truck under a curtain of stars. I knew I was going to marry this kid after about 2 weeks of dating him. It scared me to death, but I knew it. I could feel it. So could he. And so we reach the point we are at now. December of 2010, and planning a wedding. AHHHH! I never thought I'd actually get married. This is going to be a new adventure!

I am unofficially announcing this. Yes, on the internet. I know, smart right!?

I am getting married in a special month on a super neat day in the year 2011 to Aaron R. Durrant. (Obviously...) I'm going to keep the details to myself for now, you'll get them if I love you... Or if your are Tasha and you happen to be the person I text when I am freaking out. :)

I will say this: I AM NOT OFFICIALLY/TECHNICALLY ENGAGED YET! Meaning, Aaron hasn't "officially" proposed yet, and Yes, this is my fault. I asked him not to propose until January 2011 at the very earliest, no holidays, or birthdays... I know it's a little funny, both of our parents are getting tired of us dragging out feet about it... but I have my reasons, and Aaron is just patient enough with me to agree to my plea!

Day 29 (11/14/10) - In this past month, what have you learned

I have learned I freak out about commitment more than the average person.
I have learned I NEVER want to own a dog, but will have to conceed eventually.
I have learned I don't do well with people who don't take control of their depression.
I have learned I really don't have a lot of pictures of myself.
I have learned I really do love my family, even though they drive me mad.
I have learned it is okay to publicly announce I am madly in love with a boy named Aaron Durrant.
I have learned I love, love, LOVE Ben and Jerry's ice cream
I have learned my family didn't know I was addicted to RedBull... that's right, I said it, and I am proud of it!
I have learned my hands are almost always cold unless I am with Aaron or Patrick. They keep them warm for me.
I have learned I am actually a fairly easy going person, and according to "the boys" low maintenance. (Which they said was a HUGELY COOL THING. Bah hahaha! I so love Laugh Out Loud moments like that!)
I have learned Aaron knows me better than I do.
I have learned I need to trust my intuition because, it is never wrong.
I have learned I have learned a lot of things!

Day 28 (11/13/10) - A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

 A picture of my last year:
A picture of me this year:

And how I've changed? Well, for one I am happy. Truly, genuinely happy. I have traveled out of the country. I've moved out of my parents house. I am moving forward in life. I have many new friends, and people I consider to be my family. It's been a really big year for growth, and that is a really good thing!

Day 25 (11/10/10) - What I would find in your bag

Right now? Hmmm...

  • Glasses - I may or may not be slightly blind at night...
  • Ipod/Ear buds - I don't go anywhere without it!
  • Pen - Mr. Hassett told me in the 6th grade never to leave home without one.
  • Military sized Book Of Mormon - I keep this with me, for comfort purposes.
  • Keys - Purpose is obvious....
  • Chapstick - I actually have about 3 different brands in my bag. I am addicted.
  • Card Case - Again, obvious.
  • Tooth Brush/mini toothpaste - I abhor bad breath, and yellow teeth. I will always carry this with me!
  • Hand Sanitizer - Um... I blame my OCD...?
  • Literature book - I usually have a book of some sort or another with me. You never know when you will have spare time!
  • Sugar/candy/snack food - I am hypo-glycemic. Basically I am the opposite of a diabetic... I have to keep my sugar levels up! Good thing I have a sweet tooth and a constant need to snack... Hahahahahahahahaha!

Day 23 (11/8/10) - Something you crave for a lot

I am sort of known for my cravings... Especially my midnight cravings which usually inclued one or more of the following:
  • French Fries
  • Chocolate Raspberry Shakes or any shake for that matter...
  • Ben and Jerry Ice Cream - Yellow Brickie Road, Mud Pie, Half Baked
  • Dark Chocolate Pomegranate
  • Bean and Cheese Burrito
  • Aaron (Cheesy and ridiculous? Yes.)

Day 21 (11/6/10) - A picture of something that makes you happy

 Music has always been a vice for me.

These two boys continually make me laugh.

I know that is two pictures, but I couldn't decide! :)

Day 20 (11/5/10) - Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future

Bah hahaha! Wow! Well, this one is slightly ironic...

Seeing as I have a wonderful, fantastic, and all around perfect-for-me boyfriend I am going to say Aaron.


I really do love this man!

Day 18 (11/3/10) - Plans/dreams/goals you have

Plans/Dreams/Goals I have? How about I just give you my long term to-do list. That's about the same thing isn't it!?

  • Laptop - I have needed to get a new laptop since my senior year of high school. The one I was using had an accident. The power cord met with my (then) boyfriend's foot (accidentally) and sadly passed away... I have been without ever since.
  • School - Finish school, plain and simple. (Make sure to take a photography, and egyptian history, and WWII History classes to reward yourself for finally getting back into school!)
  • Plan for July - This particular item has it's own to-do list, and I swear it gets longer each week!
  • Apartment - Find one that suits, and begin the necessary journey to furnish it before it is time to move in. (Preferrably next year... things are moving too fast for my comfort levels just now!)
  • Progress at WCPC - meaning stay long enough to save for at least July's events expense, preferrably more, and get a good standing at an employment location so I can change jobs or pick up a second one if I need to/so desire.
  • Write a New York Times Best Seller - Meaning finish the book I am currently writing, and begin the second one I am going to write with my Aunt Olivia Gustafson LaBar.
  • Car - Get a new car by the end of 2011 (Preferrably with 4WD so Aaron will stop worrying about me driving in Utah weather) so that Leesa can have the Lumina. (It's a good first car. Sturdy. Heavy. Basically, the thing is a tank, she would have a hard time trying to smash it! It will keep her safe!)
  • Miss Me Jeans - One day I will break down and actually purchase a pair or two for me. They are the ONLY pair of jeans that fits in all directions. Perfectly. And as Buckle hems your jeans so they fit you length wise, they will be absolutely divine!
  • Boston - One day I will go to Boston/Washington D.C. in the fall. It will happen!
  • E.T.C. And so forth!

Day 17 (11/2/10) - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

Hmmm, someone I would want to switch lives with for one day? In all honesty I don't know that I want to switch lives with anyone right now, but if I had to, I'd have to say Joseph Smith. As for why I'd have only this reason, to know him better. I've been reading The Story of Jospeh Smith, writen by Lucy Mack Smith. I would love to understand what it was he felt, and everything he had to go through. I think it would give me a better understanding, and a greater appreciation for everything he has given to the world, and to me personally. I know that is funny to say, but without the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I truly would not be where I am today. I would not have the amazing people I have in my life. I would probably still be an angry kid; bitter against the religion of my father, and the neglect I felt as a child. I would not understand forgiveness, repentence, or what it is to have a Christ-like love for someone. There is so much that a person gains from being an honest member of the church. Not only do the gospel principles make sense, along with the values and morals, but it really is a choice thing. It is a lifestyle that we choose. We choose not to consume alcohol/drugs. We choose abstinence. We choose all of those things that separates the LDS religion from the rest of the world, and we live them because we want to. Joseph Smith, in his faith and trust in the Lord, has given me all that. I can't say if what I just typed is going to be understood by anyone but myself, but that is my honest answer to this question.

If I must choose someone fun, and random then I'd really have to say Joss Stone. The girl is crazy! She writes music like it's nothing, has a voice full of soul, and she isn't afraid to go out and do what she believes/wants/feels like doing. She really is the embodiment of the quote: "Give 'em hell, give 'em hell, give 'em hell! There are never enough trouble makers fighting for justice..."

Day 16 (11/1/10) - Another picture of yourself

This picture was taken in front of the Aztec temple, Jaguar, in Lamani [Belize]... (Laman - Lamani... Get the reference!?)

Day 15 (10/31/10)- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

Well this one should prove interesting... Lets see what happens shall we!

1:  Adia - Sarah McLachlan, Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan
2: This Is Me - Demi Lovato, Camp Rock Soundtrack
3: Damn Girl - The All-American Rejects, When The World Comes Down
4: !Viva La Gloria! - Green Day, 21 Century Breakdown
5: You Can Run, But We'll Find You - Matchbox Romance, Voices
6: Last Letter - Katharine McPhee, Unbroken
7: Can't Stay Away - Kris Allen, Kris Allen
8: I'm Not In The Mood - Shania Twain, Up (Red Disc)
9: Megalomaniac - Incubus, A Crow Left Of The Murder
10: The Hat - Ingrid Michaelson, Girls and Boys

You have to go through it to get to the end of it.

Model: Sarah
Taken: 2006, re-edited 2010

Short update... 

Living with Sunnie and her brother Trever. 
     -Long story but here is the shortest version I can come up with -- my mom finally lost it. She flipped over something I didn't do, but since I am the one that is always around I got the brunt of it.  Scared Sunnie who was on the phone with me at the time. Blah blah this, blah blah that, she can't decide if she likes me or not (I love my mum, she's just super stressed.) so I'm left somewhat homeless for now. Which has actually been fine! I was able to spend more time with my daddy while he was in the hospital! I've been adopted by the Rushton family, and I've been able to make new friends and visit old ones! Yay!

Hopefully starting work with Grandma Gus.
     -I am actually really excited for this one! Not really sure what I'll be doing, but my grandmother is a cool lady!

Daddy is home.
     -Open heart surgery went really well! He's up and moving around.

Boys, boys, boys.
     -I've had lots of fun these past few months, making friends, playing with old ones, and accomplishing things on the bucket list! Also, I was given a new CTR ring! It's quite pretty! Thanks Amos! AND! I may or may not have finally ended my boyfriend boycott...
Ta Da!