Fun, but full, Weekend

Last weekend, my future roomie, A came to NM to see me [...and her BF, but mostly me! ;)]. it was so fun to see her and it made me want to go back to school. But, of course, that weekend I had pretty much a million things to do, so I didn't get to see her much.

This past month, I would have killed to have something, anything, to do to fill my time at home. Now, though, I'm pretty swamped. But I love being busy, with just enough stress to be productive and efficient. I'm doing good now, getting into the swing of a big calling at churcha dn a new job with long hours. I love it.

here are some pics from this fun weekend:

In front of 'El Pinto,' an amazing Mexican restaurant in ABQ.

The pretty NM sky... it was way cloudy and rainy all day, but started to clear later on.

Ok, I ALWAYS see this car coming back from Santa Fe, and I finally got a picture. Good Advice. ;)

(song of the post is Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa by Vampire Weekend)

My dreams are never quite as they seem

I haven't blogged in awhile, but that's because life has pretty much stood still for me these last two weeks. I'm at home and am in the process of starting a new job, so I'm in a sort of limbo.

But when time stands still, my mind races. I over-think things way too much and end up confused about everything. I don't blame it all on myself though... why do some people have to be so bi-polar in their actions and words? People say girls make no sense, but I'm pretty sure no one makes sense when they can't make up their mind. Writing this is confusing me, so I'm just going to move on!

Tomorrow I am taking my BFF J's engagement pictures. I love portrait photography and that's eventually what I'm going to do with my life. (No maybe... I am going to be a photographer). I'm nervous, but more excited, about the whole thing, but I've got some ideas and it'll be a great learning process. Hopefully I can start taking more portraits this summer and earn a few extra $$. Once I get the photos edited, I think I'll make another blog to start showcasing my portfolio. I really really really want to get started on my business, so I figure, why wait?

(song of the post is Dream by The Cranberries)

Wrapping it all up

This morning I was in Provo. Tonight I am in Los Alamos. What a difference! I finally finished up my freshman year at BYU. It was great; I learned a lot academically, I grew spiritually, and I gained important experiences. For example, I learned how to use public transportation! I've never lived in a place where I could ride buses around town, but I learned how to do it and realize it now as a great tool and way to be eco-friendly :). I also gained a lot of patience (although, looking back, I probably could have handled some situations better...) by having to live with many different types of girls.

I also realized I am now an adult and I finally feel like it. I feel smart enough to make my own decisions and responsible for the consequences.

On my last night at BYU, me, B and A had a sleepover which was so fun! It was one of my best nights at BYU, and its ironic that it was the last one, but I'll always remember it.

I also noticed in the last few weeks how everyone seemed to act different toward others. I know I probably acted different, too. I think it was the stress of finals combined with the thought that you won't see anyone all summer (or ever again, in some cases), so nothing you say or do will affect your friendship much. There is something to be said for not caring what people think anymore and just being comfortable in your own skin. However, true colors showed (good or bad) and I learned a lot about people I thought I knew well before. I realized the BYU vissade of being perfect and peppy wore off on a lot of people, and it was refreshing to see some real emotion.

Nonetheless, I love BYU, and I'm going to miss it's spirit this summer. I won't miss the homework, though! I'm so excited to have a job at the lab this summer and be able to learn more about this adult world I've been thrust into.

One thing I will miss is the close friends I made this year. You guys are so amazing and so funny! I love ya and I don't know how I'll survive without being able to run into your rooms/apts and tell you about the latest adventures/dramas of my life, and to hear about yours. I want to thank you for the good times, help and support throughout these past months. But next year will be amazing and just that much better!

So, off to summer we go...

(song of the post is Thnks fr th mmrs by Fall Out Boy)

BORED!

Well, I'm just bored. Nothing to say really. But I'll just catch ya up on the recent events in my life.

1. I was able to attend General Conference in Salt Lake last weekend. It. Was. Amazing. In fact, all of Conference was amazing and I learned a lot. What I got out of it was that going to the temple and doing genealogy is sooo important. Also, though times are bad (and will get worse), as long as we "keep our eyes on the prize" and stay faithful we'll be ok. ;)

2. This is the last full week of school! Wowza, this year just FLEW by! I cannot believe I am going to be a sophmore in college in a few short weeks. I feel so blessed to be here, but I am ready to go home for a break.

3. I am addicted to David Archuleta and Amie Miriello! I am never going to get tired of thier music.

4. I miss my friends a lot this week and I can't wait to see them and be back on my own turf. I can't wait to sneak into the pool and tan. I can't wait to play fugitive all night. I can't wait to sleep on the trampoline.

5. I'm excited for my BFF J's wedding this summer! I am a bridesmaid and I'm so happy. Me and N may also take her engagement photos, too. Just what I need to build my portfolio ;) But, I really am happy for her; she's going to be united for time and all eternity this July! But I'm not going to lie, it's going to be weird having a married friend!

6. My parents just got back from Hawaii, which I've never been to. Worst part: my mom said, "the whole time we were there, me and dad were thinking we should have brought you guys." Ya, I'm pretty sure I told you that before you left... hmph...

ok, I'm done now! Random, I know, but I just needed something to do!

(Song of the post is I came around by Amie Miriello)

Trying to reach out to you, TOUCH MY HAND!

Last weekend was a huge deal. I went to the David Archuleta concert and had a blast! It was nothing short of amazing...

First, Benton Paul from Utah opened. He has a melting voice that reminds me of Jason Mraz. He did a great cover of "Yellow" too, which was great.

Next, Amie Miriello and her guitarist Jay performed. Her voice is sooo unique and is kinda earthy and grunge, but beautiful. We were all rocking out in the second row and she kept looking down and smiling at us, and at one point said, "I see you girls down there rocking out!" WE GOT A SHOUT OUT FROM AMIE! haha It was amazing. We later bought her cd, got it autographed and met her and Jay.

Last, but definately not least, David Archuleta came on. No words can describe the pure joy I felt. His voice is so creamy and delicious, and I think he's gotten even better since Idol. He sang new songs that I now love and danced around all cute. He even got teary eyed on the last song, Angels. And the best part was, he sang directly to me 3 times!!! Ahhhhhh.... I am still on an Archie high and can't stop thinking about the fun times Friday night.

(song of the post is one of my new faves, Zero Gravity by David Archuleta)

Neon Night en espanol

So, last Friday, me, B, A, and J went to Neon Night at Studio 600 in SL,UT! It was AWESOME! It's a ginormous club where people 18+ can dance the night away. There were over 2000 people that night.
K, I know it sounds sketch, right? But it wasn't, and that's one of the reasons I love Utah. There was no booze or drugs, people are dressed pretty modestly, and no one got in fights. It was great and tons of fun. Only in Utah... ;)

Then, on Saturday, my Columbian friend S came to visit! It was great to see her and remember the good times. Problem was, she doesn't speak fluent English and I forgot all my Spanish from High School. eek. It wasn't bad though, and I realized I could understand a lot more than I thought I would. I hope I can brush up on some more espanol before she comes back! EE HOLAY!

(Song of the post is Send My Love to the Dance Floor by Cobra Starship)

My Faith, My Life

I've been thinking a lot about how I've changed this past year and one of the greatest changed I've noticed in myself is the deeper connection I've made with my religious beliefs. Before coming to BYU, I felt I had to decide whether I truly believed in my church or not. Did I really believe that Joseph Smith restored the gospel and that there are prophets today that tell us God's will? Did I really believe that the Book of Mormon was translated and was written for our day? Did I really believe that Heavenly Father still talks to his children and that Jesus Christ and his atonement provides for a way back to live with them? I did and I do. Now more than ever. I've had the opportunity to read the Book of Mormon more in depth and apply it personally this school year and I can say without a doubt in my mind that it is true and it tells of the Savior and his plan for re-uniting with him again. That plan is the plan of happiness and I believe it is the only way we can obtain true joy. I believe that families can be together even after death. I love this gospel with all my heart and I want everyone to know it so that maybe they can find true happiness too.

(song of the post is Come thy Fount of Every Blessing by David Tolk)