WRITE-A-THON

Okay. Here's the deal. I am awake and shouldn't be--fell asleep 3 hours ago (5 am) and woke up 20 minutes ago (8 am) with all these self-imposed (and very real) deadlines for my blog rushing through my head, and decided to do something crazy. Cray cray (haha). Seeing as summer officially ends in TWO DAYS, I have several posts I promised myself (and you!) to finish before school starts.
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?!
Today, Aug 25 2012, will be deemed a WRITE-A-THON. That's right (write) haha. Oh gosh I want my bed. No. You can do this. My eyes are so itchy. Don't think about it. Morning breath. Bleck. (Note to self: Brush teeth) Let's do this!
Check back here TODAY for these posts:

Up First: a good old fashioned rant (all about a book called Bitten) *shudder*
Next: the last few posts of my 30 things list!
And Later: my summer playlist and booklist (musicians i listened to non-stop and fantastic books i read)

I think that looks about perfect for the line-up I have for today. :] Some encouragement would be lovely! You guys are awesome. :D:D:D:D

how I do fashion

Guys. I have the HARDEST time with fashion. I don't think I could ever be a fashion blogger...Shopping terrifies me. I love finding steals and deals. I love finding comfy v-neck tshirts and well fitted skinny jeans and fun Vans. That's how I dress, all the time. It's me inside and out--where I feel most confident and real. I applaud all those girls wearing cut-off studded shorts, layered tank tops and see through vests, lace embroidered tops, high-low skirts and dresses, chunky boots, and flowing tops. I tip my hat to those girls rocking the smoky eye shadow and perfect messy curls. Keep wearing the wrist bangles and web of necklaces.
But that's not me.
...
However, I did let myself try on those knee-high boots I've seen on Pinterest so many times. haha ;] I can have fun, no?

goin' hikin' :D

A good friend from California starts school at UVU next week (as do Zac and I ><) and asked us if we wanted to hike the Y today. We agreed and then realized we had no idea how to get there! haha We piled into Bradley's car and decided to drive in the general direction of the Y. As we climbed the twisting Provo streets through fancy neighborhoods, we grew unsure of our plan. Then we saw a sign with an arrow pointing to the Y trail! hahaha Awesome! We found where we needed to go and had a complete blast doing so. :)

As we climbed the mountain, I became so aware of how out of shape I am. hhaha It was quite grueling. On the way up, two boys ran past us going down. They had so much energy and life. We watched them stumble their way down, laughing and congratulating everyone they passed. Hate. Instant hate. ;]

At the top, the view was breathtaking. The air was cooler and more gentle. I was pretty sweaty, but goodness. I haven't felt that at peace and happy in a long while. It didn't hurt listening to this song on the way home. :D

sunday thoughts

count your blessings. hymn 241.

attitude of gratitude. 1 thessalonians 5: 16-17.

how lucky are we to have each other, hold each other, listen to each other, love each other? friendship and family can help the hard times somewhat bearable. i have a simple testimony that my family loves me. i love them so much, my heart might break. i have a simple testimony of how valuable my friends are to me. it's amazing how love can change who you are. just a simple and uncomplicated love. let it in and keep it there.

one day out of my week i get to show my savior i love him. it's simple and uncomplicated. i think i need to keep my sundays more simple and uncomplicated. we'll see how that goes. :]

thank you for talking with me daddy. thank you for letting me cry. thank you for hearing me out and giving me your afternoon. thank you for reminding me i'm your daughter and you are my first love. 

i love prayer. best time in my morning. quiet, peaceful, thoughtful.

good sunday listening. (she was in my creative writing class!)

lemon blueberry yogurt loaf.

I think I've found a new love for baking, now that Pinterest does most of the work for me. ;] haha I found this recipe on Pinterest back in February and I've wanted to tackle it ever since. Tonight, my best friend, Emily, and I set out to bake this Blueberry Lemon Yogurt Loaf for the first time. I am oh so tired, but so stinking proud of us! We did it! It looks beautiful and tastes amazing. If you have a free night before the summer ends, be sure to try this out. I love how my house smells right now--it's like we're in a lemon tree orchard or something. One of the best summer nights I've had in a while. Thank you so much, Emily, for all your help! :]

bravery deserves pizza, i think, and i like snails

I AM THE BRAVEST BRAVE THERE EVER WAS.

Good news! I have my last year of college squared away and settled. After running around on 6 hours of sleep like a crazy madwoman, I am pleased to inform anyone and everyone that today, I handled my huge to-do list like a pro. :] AH YEAH. Just little details now and that will happen later on in the week. :] High fives all around! I love feeling accomplished and productive. Especially when it could mean not graduating on time. hahaha :]

I am celebrating by reading the three books I picked up from the library: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams (again), and Matched by Ally Condie. Enjoy these pictures, as they made my day much more enjoyable.

midnight snack

it is an hour past midnight and we've pigged out, man. we made chocolate banana milkshakes and french fries. we drank and devoured until we were full. and sleep will come soon enough.

zac also showed me a freaking sweet web series that i am now addicted to...but he's making me pace myself with how many episodes we watch. try not to watch every single episode in one sitting. just go ahead and try. i dare you. haha zac's such a better person than i am. 

{case in point}

currently, i'm writing a rant for a future post, one addressing a book i read for about a week that was just awful. zac does not understand me sometimes. i read all kinds of books--and i try to finish them, even if they're horrible (like this one). i did not finish said book, i had to return it. but let me tell you. when i've compiled all i need to for that future book rant, it will be a glorious day in my blog world. haha until then, be sure to eat some french fries and drink a milkshake. they work wonders. :]