General Conference Weekend

This weekend was wonderful. Friday was actually really, really productive for me. I studied and got lots of school work done. I cleaned. I even rearranged my room, which is always a fun change, and somewhat refreshing. I am really enjoying the new set-up. I did errands, babysat, and went for a run in the pouring rain. It was a bit warmer, and I find running in the rain to be rejuvenating. I wanted to get lots done on Friday, so that I could really enjoy all of General Conference this weekend.
Saturday morning my friend Alison and I ran 10 miles. It was a great run, and went by really, really fast, probably because I am not sick and I can actually breathe, unlike last week when we went. After getting ready, we grabbed some food and headed to the Church to watch both sessions of Conference. I could watch it on my laptop, but I like being in the chapel, and I pay so much more attention there. After sessions, we went out to dinner with some other girls in our ward to an Indian restaurant in Harvard Square (right by the Church). Then I had a sleepover at Alison's with our friend, Lindsy, and Alison's other roommates, Amanda and Rachel. We chatted, watched Funny Girl (an old Barbra Streisand movie). This morning we woke up and enjoyed a yummy breakfast-french toast! Then we headed to the Church again to all enjoy the two sessions of Conference. Today it wasn't rainy or windy, so we actually went outside between sessions for a picnic and to enjoy the sun. I think Spring might actually be coming. It was 55 today, the sun was shining, and everyone in Boston seems a little bit happier!
I loved Conference, I always feel so inspired, and I was reminded of why I love the temple so much. I love to go, and it was good to hear so much focused on the importance of regular temple attendance, and what we can continue to learn and feel there. I love you all, thanks for supporting me.

Just Random...

So I have been back from Spring Break for 3 weeks now, and it has been a busy, random few weeks. This first picture is to show my mom how I attempt to french braid my own hair. I have a Monday night class, right after I work all day on Mondays, and no matter how productive I try to be over the weekend, I still always have to get up at the crack of dawn (literally, like 4 am) to make sure I am prepared for class. The last couple of weeks, I have taken to practicing french braiding my hair while I read, study, review materials, etc. to keep myself awake. I am getting better...
Since I have been back, I have been busy with church activities, going to the temple, doing lots of running for my upcoming half-marathon, had a cold (after I had just told people that I don't get sick all that often), babysat for some cute kids to make extra money, had an interview and then a follow-up interview for an ideal summer job (I hear back about that this Wed!), played with friends, gone out to eat, studied, attended classes, worked, made a Costco trip with friends, been to a Luau party, enjoyed cold, sunshine, and rain, etc.
So I have also had several opportunities lately to help the missionaries, the sisters who serve in our single's ward are fabulous. I have been to a couple of appointments with them, and I have done some street contacts with them-totally fun, and it took me straight back to the mission-I loved contacting and talking to everyone! The missionaries have also started going to Boston Common, a park/central square area in Boston to contact people on Saturdays. They need members to come sing hymns and be supportive. So one Saturday my friend Alison and i went to help them. Right before we were about to leave, we observed something very interesting...

What are these crazy college kids playing? Look closer...yes, that is Quidditch!

They were totally serious and into it. They had different names on the backs of their shirts, real Hogwarts Quidditch players' names. They ran around with these brooms between their legs the whole time. Not house brooms...but real brooms.

They all played in a field, but the two seekers were running freely throughout Boston Common trying to find the Snitch (a player who wore yellow and had a small ball tied to his waist), who they had to catch. It was hilarious...Alison and I decided that it would make for a fun Family Home Evening activity! Anyway, I love Boston and its randomness. I guess I love my life and its randomness, too.

Happy Springtime!

So my friend, Sarah, has inspired me like she often does. (Thanks!) She sent me an email today entitled "A toast to the first day of Spring," which it certainly is, and it listed all of her favorite things. So even though mother nature is teasing us here in Boston, I am grateful to know that Spring is somewhere around the corner. Last Sunday was a gorgeous, sunny day that got up to 65. Wednesday also got up to the 60s, and I was running in short sleeves-that was marvelous! But the rest of the time it has been 30s, 40s if we are lucky. So thanks to Sarah, I am feeling happy and grateful.

Here is my toast to Spring and some of my favorite things: going to the hair salon and coming out feeling like a million bucks (just did that!), long runs (6 miles or more) when you push your body to its limits, the sunshine, water-the drinking kind and the chlorinated kind that I love swimming in, working out hard and sweating like a man (I work for every last drop of my sweat!), reading a good book, going on drives, listening to good music, walking around cities and exploring, visiting family, traveling, talking to my brother Andrew on gmail chat, talking to my family on the phone, teaching underprivileged kids how to stay physically active and healthy every Tuesday and Thursday at Boston University, eating my Mom's food, eating at Aristo's the greek restaurant in SLC, driving my car Penelope, my health, my bike, laughing, apples and peanut butter, making and eating cupcakes, skiing and almost dying every time but never actually getting hurt (my Heavenly Father really loves me and watches over me :), and so much more.

I LOVE ALL OF YOU! HAPPY SPRING!

More Fun over Spring Break

My last night in town, I spent the evening in Salt Lake with my 2 old roommates, Shalene and Casandra, and another good friend, Mallory. We did dinner at my absolute favorite restaurant in Utah, Aristo's-it's an amazing Greek restuarant up on 13th East in SLC! Then we tried to visit old friends, chatted tons, laughed lots, and had fun posing for these pics. I love ya girls, and it was great to see you! Just like old times.

Shalene (blonde in back), in front, from left to right-Mallory, Casandra (red head) and me...4 cute girls, all single!!! Feel free to pass that information on to any good-looking, righteous, fun LDS guys who are also single!!!

Casandra and I posed on her awesome yellow couch...we are both tall, loud, and well, have lots in common...

Casandra and I

Shalene and I

I LOVE YOU GIRLS! KEEP THINGS GOING IN SALT LAKE, AND KEEP ME UPDATED!

Spring Break in Utah

I actually get Spring Break at Boston University, something that I missed out on at BYU. I had made plans to go to Utah to see my Nana, my little brother Alex and his wife, Stacey, and several other wonderful people. My mom had decided to fly in to Utah as well. I always love my mom time!

We had dinner on Wednesday at Alex and Stacey's apartment with my Aunt Susie, my cousin Nicole, and my favoritest little person in Utah-Presley. PS...Nicole's hair has been dark for some time now, apparently, about as dark as mine. Oh, my Mom and I stayed at Alex and Stacey's apartment. Imagine that, I got to stay in Wymount, BYU's married student housing, and I didn't even have to be married.

Here are Alex and Nicole listening attentively to Stacey's explanations of what she was learning in her classes. Do you see what they are all sitting on?! My beautiful red couch, I mean, their beautiful red couch. They were lucky to inherit my red couch, black love sac, and glorious queen-sized bed and bedding...lucky them!

Alex and Nicole just being silly!

My beautiful, Presley, and I helped my mom decorate her yummy lemon cupcakes. Presley and I have always been big fans of baking and deocrating cupcakes together. Besides dinner, chatting, and cupcake decorating, I was the evening entertainment. I sang and danced to High School Musical 2 (still have not seen 3, I know, I am a disgrace). That explains the fabulous video that my little brother so graciously posted for me already.

I met up with my awesome mission companion, Sandy Schaugaard, for lunch on Wednesday. She finally got to meet my wonderful mom, too. There we are being crazy...

...and here we are being just us. Congrats again, Sandy, on the wedding! I am excited for you!

Oh, and my mom and I had a great Monday exploring some fun boutiques in Salt Lake, and trying these absolutely delicious and super darling cupcakes at Mini's. Can anyone guess what kind I had to try?! Yes, chocolate with peanut butter frosting-delightful! My 2 favorites ever are chocolate and peanut butter...and together, even better.

Here I am outside one of the random shops/boutiques in Salt Lake. A pretty major snowstorm hit on Monday, so we stuck around, and I had to reschedule skiing with one of my favoritest ski partners ever, aka Michael Meek. We ended up going Tuesday evening to Brighton, and it was a gorgeous evening, stayed light out for forever, and the snow was great. I did really well and had lots of fun, except for that whole pile of powder after the 8 foot hole. You will have to call or email to hear that story! I tell it so much better than I can write it! Anyway, I didn't get a picture with Michael. It would probably be incredibly stupid of me to ski with a camera, and it would be broken if I had had it with me. All in all, I had a wonderful spring break. I did no homework, except for on the planes. I got to eat out lots, and break my "no sweets" weeks by eating plenty of those. I got to do lots of running/training in Utah, running up mountains/hills and canyons-loved it! I got to spend lots of time with my mommy and I got to see my Nana everyday. She is doing ok, but not swell. I got to see my awesome friend, Sarah, for lunch on Saturday, but I don't have those pictures; my mom does. I got to have fun with Alex and Stacey, and well, it was a good time...to see those adventures, visit Alex's blog. Everyone is more than welcome to come to Boston, since I do all my visiting to y'all! Happy St. Patty's Day!

DISCLAIMER

My little brother logged on my account last night, added that lovely video, and well, decided it would be a delightful addition to my blog, without me knowing it. I could take it off, but I really am not embarassed by it. I love kids, and dancing to High School musical is always a favorite. Maybe this will at least help some of you to understand how I really am...haha. I will blog more about my fun and adventures in Utah once I am back in Boston. Love y'all!

A BU grad student at her finest

So this is my trip to Utah with my cousins daughter, I did this for the whole family.