The photos I promised

Homecoming 2012
Junior Year

 Yeah...he proposed to me ;)

As I said before, homecoming was magical. Obviously Ben is a stud and I had the BEST group anyone could ask for. The whole day was just amazing. And the dance? A grand staircase entrance, illuminated by the stars, and the moon, and thousands of Christmas lights that were wrapped around trees. Literally, it felt as if we had walked into a movie. So yeah, it was great, a night I always hope to remember. And now, I get to look forward to all the other great things that happen in high school, and life, and I'm excited.

Dancing in the moonlight

Adventures are good, sometimes the best adventures occur when you become lost.
When some people get lost they suddenly become filled with anxiety, don't know what to do, and panic...which I do that too, to some extent, but I also become so excited, wondering where this unknown path will take us. Sometimes, when you're lucky, this path simply leads you into a meadow, hidden in the trees, with the sunlight filtering through the multicolored fall leaf canopy, and sometimes that little safe haven is better than any place you had originally planned.

 try clicking on this photo ^


 Later that day...

I felt like a princess. It took a solid two hours, but thanks to my incredible mother, I was able to look in the mirror and think to myself, "I am beautiful", which is a thought that rarely passes through my head.
It was a blast. I was with some of the best people in the world, and I wouldn't have changed anything about this last night. Everything was PERFECT.

just pretend this photo is super great... (even though it's not)

 Love this girl like a sister :)

 Ben and I

*more photos to come*

Let's be Friends

Sometimes you meet extraordinary people amongst the bustle of every-day life, 
and it feels like you've been friends
for years, and years, and years.
 It doesn't feel like you're welcoming the new face into the collection of familiars,
rather, you're refreshing an old memory of an old face you never get to see. 
You skip the introductions, the stupid remarks, and the small talk.
You skip all the usual occurrences that normal people undergoing introductions endure, 
for you see, this introduction in particular doesn't feel like much of an introduction at all.
 Deep down, despite the lacking memories and the empty safe that's supposed to be filled with long-hushed secrets,
your meeting feels like more of a reunion.

And just like that,
you find yourselves hidden within a safe place,
tucked away from the chaotic world, 
as every secret that has been locked within your heart for so many years manages to slither out of your lips.
 Somehow, this new-found friend held the key that unlocked all your secrets.
You soon realize that before you could even stop it from happening,
you'd become genuine friends;

A friend that tells me I'm wrong,

no matter how much I like to think that I'm right.

You show me the good, even when everything seems bad.

You go along with all my crazy ideas and activities,

even when I know you really don't want to.

You're someone who listens to my ramblings of life,

and you actually listen.

This short time in my life, where we have known each other, has surpassed all other times, even though we haven't done anything particularly spectacular. 

Every simple day moment seems so much better with friends, with the people you love. 

So thanks for making my ordinary life something much more

extraordinary.

Click on this ^ photo for a magical surprise :)

 

Hey, I'm back...

I'm not quite sure why I'm trying this whole blogging thing again...

maybe it's because I'm utterly bored, or because I actually talked to the girl whose blog I'm secretly infatuated with, or maybe because life suddenly became so complicated that I'm hoping that by writing it all out somehow it will make more sense.
Well, I haven't written for a while. (obviously.) In fact, I wasn't even 16 when I posted that last post.
A lot has changed since then.
I've gone on my first dates, driven my own car, met new people, had new adventures, and now I'm a junior in high school.
Summer was incredible and I'm sad to see it go. I enjoyed those late nights, in the warm summer air, looking at the stars and talking to each other, feeling like we were the only ones in the whole wide world. I'll miss the bucket list adventures and the crazy expeditions the we went on as the best friends that we were. I'm going to have to get used to not knowing what he's doing every second of the day, because just in the first week of school a whole lot has changed.
Walking down the hall I see him with her every where I go. I sit next to them at lunch but it's like I'm not even there. It's like I don't exist during those school hours, but as soon as that last bell rings, I hear my phone buzz and there's his little apology message...but then nothing changes the next day.
But it's okay! This ^ whatever-you-want-to-call-it mess has maybe given me a new best friend, a boy that the second I met him I felt like I'd known him for all of my existence. It was at the football game, standing in line for drinks, and from that moment on we never stopped talking to each other. Within the first 4 hours of knowing one other, we knew the others whole life story. I'm not sure what will come of this instant friendship process that we experienced...I have no clue if he'll even recognize me on Monday, but at the moment I'm willing to risk it because I'm not sure who else I can even rely on. I just have to tell myself that in the end everything will work out.  

Excuses Excuses :)

I'm pretty sure I've been so busy the last couple weeks to even think about sitting down and blogging so... that's my excuse, and now I'll attempt to summarize the recent little bit of my life:

Christmas was dandy, and then three days later I was on my way to California :) I was with some of my most favoritest (yes, that's incorrect english) people in the entire world and it was a serious party. Even the 14 hour bus ride wasn't as bad simply because I got to enjoy the company of my amazing friends. and maybe i also enjoyed it cause I sat next to him the whole time. Disneyland definitely became my happiest place on earth. Rides, Food, Friends, Talking, Laughing, Carefree... it was perfect.  Every second of those two days in Disneyland will now forever be a memory that I will hopefully always remember. It was everything I expected and more. yes, i spent nearly every moment with him, went on every ride with him, enjoyed all my time with him. But the fun didn't stop there. There was also a New Years dance, Hollywood, the beach and also some very enjoyed free time at the hotel. Finally at the end of the week came the Rose parade. It ended up not being as hard as anticipated... but that definitely does not mean it wasn't hard. I thought my arms were going to fall off! but I'm proud to say I made it, and now it will be something I can always look back on.  Although I must say that one of the best feelings ever was seeing the end of that 7 mile parade route. And now it's all over. Probably one of the best weeks of my life thus far. It was amazing, and it was quite the shock coming back to reality: back to school, coming back to the end of the semester, back to the stress. but that's life. 

Kirsten & Tanner

Kyle, Kenz & Cameron

Pluto!!

We ran into my family while in Disneyland...

so this is me and Kolbein :)

Tanner and I took this picture :)

I like it

Eliza & Kirsten

she was in my room... party!

So that was my not so short summary of California. And since then it's just been school, dance, family, the normal. Today's Kolbein's birthday... just thought I'd throw that out there. He's turning six which means I'm sixteen in twelve days :) well have a great day, I'm going to go enjoy mine.

Time to Enjoy :)

Accomplished..... It's an amazing feeling to realize not only did you survive the day but you had an accomplished day. To work so hard and realize you can finally relax is such a joy. That moment where it suddenly dawns on you that it is Christmas break {and it's going to be the best break ever} is a fantastic moment. Life becomes exciting and you actually become excited to live every second, to make memories that will last forever,  to finally relax and just enjoy.
I hope you all have a most wonderful Christmas break, I hope that we can all remember the true meaning of Christmas and spread that joyful light and happiness to all those around us. May you all have a Merry Christmas that will make memories to remember forever.

Random Spasms of Happiness

It's official:

Everyone thinks I'm crazy

I am crazy

and today it was a little more than normal.

Reason? maybe it was the relief of turning in an essay, or a teacher saying that the homework actually isn't due until next time, or feeling good after taking a test. maybe it was the sporatic hug, or even the fact that he walked a little faster in the hall just to come talk to me, there's a possibility it was simply because he sat by me at lunch, or maybe it was the doughnuts my wonderful friend Brittney brought to lunch. It could have also been that school was short, that I have no homework to do and therefore I finally get to enjoy my time and breathe.

well... life is good. in fact life is beautiful and amazing.



Count Your *bLeSsInGs*

I realize I complain a lot

that sometimes I'm negative

that you all have to listen to me whine

but I also realize that we live life once

that being positive makes life better

and that I have a lot of blessings.

Some look at the glass half empty, others half full...and then there's the ones who are just grateful for the glass :)

• my family
• the gospel
• my house
• my clothes
• my friends
• school
• my shoes
• a car
• dance
• the sun
• beautiful sunsets
• gorgeous sunrises
• daylight savings
• seminary
• the scriptures
• prayer
• church
• people at church
• this computer
• the internet
• paper
• homework (believe it or not)
• food
• people who smile in the halls
• friends who give me hugs
• a very special friend who brings me hot chocolate :)
• the sound crunching leaves make
• people who give compliments
• my mom and dad encouraging me to get good grades
• my little brother who makes me laugh
• inspirational quotes
• music
• the temple
• cell phones
• holidays to look forward to
• a warm house
• the piano
• hymns
• post-it notes (they help me more than you could imagine)
• sleep
• I'm grateful for you... no matter who you are I know you have impacted my life, whether big or small, and I appreciate that. 
• and I'm sure I could continue this list...but for times sake I won't :) 

Let's Be Friends

Sometimes you meet extraordinary people amongst the bustle of every-day life, 
and it feels like you've been friends
for years, and years, and years.
 It doesn't feel like you're welcoming the new face into the collection of familiars,
rather, you're refreshing an old memory of an old face you never get to see. 
You skip the introductions, the stupid remarks, and the small talk.
You skip all the usual occurrences that normal people undergoing introductions endure, 
for you see, this introduction in particular doesn't feel like much of an introduction at all.
 Deep down, despite the lacking memories and the empty safe that's supposed to be filled with long-hushed secrets,
your meeting feels like more of a reuinion.

And just like that,
you find yourselves hidden within a safe place,
tucked away from the chaotic world, 
as every secret that has been locked within your heart for so many years manages to slither out of your lips.
 Somehow, this new-found friend held the key that unlocked all your secrets.
You soon realize that before you could even stop it from happening,
you'd become genuine friends.

finding a way to forget life and live

Life is perfect,

who would've thought I'd be saying that,

but I am,

and you may be wondering...

why so perfect?

answer: there's no reason it can't be,

I've learned to live,

don't live in the past but learn from it,

don't live only for the present but live with it,

don't wish for the future but determine what it will be,

Life is a gift

 and sometimes we just have to step back,

forget about stress,

forget about silly little things,

and appreciate life for what it's worth,

I just feel joy,

and there is no particlular reason,

except for there is no reason to be anything except

happy.

but maybe he does add to the happiness,

and maybe sitting next to him with us playing the piano

is the best feeling in the world,

and maybe long late night talks are really nice,

and maybe I just really love life.

and maybe I've learned what it really means to live...

because I love it

 Just because....

because we were there



Him...

My life has become somewhat centered around a twisted fairy tale.

when he sits next to me my heart jumps,

when he talks to me I feel like I can fly,

 when he smiles at me a small part of me explodes with happiness,

 and when he wraps his warm arms around me its as if the whole world has stopped and become perfect for just that small moment.

At these moments I feel a spark of hope... hope that he likes me as much as I like him

and then

I see him walking next to her,

he tells me how much he wishes she was there,

I read a text between them

and suddenly that small fragile spec of hope is swept away in the many whirlwinds of emotion.

Honestly, I tell him everything, he's my best friend and he somehow always manages to put me in a better mood, he says all the right things when I need it, he feels the exact same way as I do about nearly everything...except for the fact that I secretly adore him. At times its almost as if he likes me too.

It would make my life so much easier if I could just get over him and let us be friends... 

Do I give up? Or do I hold on?

I'm so confused...If you have any advice, it would be much appreciated

Love,

Blondie

Long Talks and Life

Talks are good. I believe there's a reason certain people are in my life.

 Incredible, spiritual, loving, kind, generous, magnificent people.  

And I'm not sure these people will ever realize the imense impact they have on my life. Like talking to me for hours on end, it's amazing how much better it makes you feel. It helps to just realize that others struggle with the same things you do, we're all going through this life with ups and downs. And sometimes we all just need a hug.

 IlovethosespontaneoushugsfromOthers :)

So yeah... right now my life is excellent. Going to the temple always just brings some extra light into your life, reading scriptures definitely helps your day go more smoothly, praying is the absolute best stress reliever, and life can be a great experience.  But of course there is still those hardships, the gospel just helps me put my problems into perspective.  Friends are such a great blessing, yet they can also become a terrific trial.  Which is just one more reason I so very much appreciate those true friends. So thanks...

10 days...

It has been exactly 10 days since I posted on this blog...but it's seldom looked at anyways, so I'm sure that the only one who missed it was me. But I've learned some things in the past 10 days. Lots of things:

Like some people actually care about me,

that there's always something good in life to look for,

that I may be slightly infatuated with a very kind gentleman,

that everything is about your additude,

that my dad made funny faces in all his pictures from high school,

that life is crazy... but it would be so boring otherwise,

that being spiritual makes life so much easier to handle,

that there's always someone you can help,

that studying for a test is definitely worth it,

and that no matter how much rain there is.... there's always a rainbow at the end.

See I learn something new everyday :)

I have to say this week was one of the busiest of my life! But I passed range, fixed some grades, helped some friends, taught a spiritual lesson, talked to my family, and made life exciting. But there was definitely those moments where I felt like exploding with stress, and then I would break, and life would rain down upon me, and then, you learn to dance in the rain and find the good, to wait out the rain and then...

there's always the rainbow.