Doing Something Different...*

"Like-Months"

2011-07-29T14:01:00.000-06:00

So, I got a text a few days ago from a friend who told me I haven't blogged in like-months. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what a like-month is, but she had a point. Actually...more like...'almost-years', I think.

Between my mom, Cassidy, and a few others who (apparently actually) used to read this blog, I've decided that I'm going to try again. NO PROMISES, people.

If I'm being completely honest though, the past few months have been some of the craziest of my whole life. Also some of the best months of my whole life. I can't help but feel overwhelmed, on almost an every day basis, by how incredibly blessed I am. I don't think I'll ever get over it.

In something like 16 days I'll be homeward bound. DC has been an awesome, full experience... but... I'm ready to come home. Excited for the adventures that senior year promises to bring.

WAHOO!!! :)

(Photo via Miss Madi)

juvenescence...*

2010-08-04T10:28:00.001-06:00

I blog about what I think about... and lately I've been thinking about how I pretty well constantly feel like juvenescence has got me by the feet and sensible adulthood has got me by the head...

And you guessed it, they're both pulling really, really hard.

Read this article recently, and loved it. I read this girl's blog a lot (maybe you should too). Sometimes I think she's dead wrong about stuff (we all hold our own opinions and respects), but sometimes she's dead on. In this particular post, she shares a list that she found called
"20 Things I Wish I'd Known at 20".

I really loved the post because it's soooo incredibly relevant.
Really helped me get some perspective...Want to know what I remembered?

I'm 20.

And I'm not going to be 20 forever.

I'm NOT a grownup.

I'm NOT sophisticated or classy.

I'm NOT well-read or highly-educated.

I'm not incredibly accomplished.

[...Yet.]

I DO have fun.

I DEFINITELY mess up.

I regularly make an absolute fool of myself.

I do what I want.

As my friends and I were headed back from our cow tackling // star tipping // st...what?! // tractor driving// tee....huh?!'ing adventure last night (I'll post pictures asap...'cause they're hilarious), we talked about how the summer is coming to a close.

Change is inevitable.

We're living in different places,

taking different classes,

working different jobs,

and starting very different lives in t-minus

27 days.
But ohhh, how we've made this summer count.
My li'l group of 20-somethings and I sureee do know how to live...

honestly I can't think of a time when life has been 'fuller'.

I know that there are soooo many amazing things ahead of me... I have so much to do and see and become,

but for now

I'm probably not going to get a grip.

I'll probably keep staying out too late and sleeping in too long.

I'm definitely going to continue being part of a 'clique'.

I'm going to keep kissing the wrong boys.

I'm going to eat lots of junk food.

I'm going to keep talking too loudly and too often.

I'm going to be trendy. Wayyy trendy.

I'll honestly probably keep blowing lots of money on really ridiculous things.

I'm not going to stop.

I'm going to keep loving it.

[At least for a while longer...]

'Cause in all honesty, I'm probably living it up more than you are.

[Sorry to rub that in...]

And remember how 20 is not very many years old?

[...Oh yeah...I remember now.]

Dear Responsibility, won't you nip it in the bud for a while longer? Juuuust for a little while? Thx. :)

xoxo

I think Mr. T-Pain had it right when

2010-07-27T15:52:00.006-06:00

he asked if he could buy shawty a drink.

Yeah, that's right. You heard me.

Okay, okay... alcoholic connotation aside here for a second, it's really a pretty brilliant idea.

Last night Cassette, Al Danger, Nate Lowe, C. Babbs & I went out to Aggy's for a late night snack, and we ended up having a pretty interesting conversation about drink dates.

So naturally, I thought I'd share our conclusions with you, blog world.

We think that Mormon culture, so to speak, got it all wrong when it ex-nayed drink dates. Thiiiiink about it for a second. Church leaders, institute teachers and the like are always encouraging us young single adults to date. And to state my thoughts bluntly, sometimes all I think after yet another admonition by said leaders is 'ummm... no thank you, I would not like that one little bit.' Because dating can be awkward at times. And tense. And sometimes straight up annoying. And did I say awkward? Don't act like you don't know what I mean.

So....take a second and read up, k?
Let's bring drink dates back in to Utah culture.

Drink dates are short, anywhere from 30min to 1 and 1/2ish hours, and therefore the awkward conversations that often ensue on first dates would either 1)end very quickly with a thank you and goodbye, or 2) turn in to a very quick reason to see someone again.

The 'pressure' of going out with someone new is totally mitigated. I'm not going to explain that further for you... 'cause we all know exactly what I'm talking about.

Both the guy and the girl maintain certain aspects of the control in that either of them can choose to peace out if they want to, pretty much whenever they want to, OR they can choose to keep it going however they want.

The guy isn't going to break the bank taking a girl out to get a drink... think about this:

A very typical date for your very typical player dater/woman killer dude is going to cost about

$30 for two dinners, drinks, & appetizers +

2x $7.50 for movie tickets +

another optionally spent $10 for the obligatory 'do you want to go get ice cream or something?' after the movie.

Grand Total= 50ish +/- bucks.

Ouch.

Can I be honest with you about something real quick? The above mentioned date PROBABLY wasn't $50 dollars worth of fun. AND really, most girls (ESPECIALLY on the first date) probably either don't realize how much you're forking over to take them out, or feel bad that you just spent that much money on someone who you probably don't even know very well.

Hmmm....yikes.

In comparison: 2 drinks + an optional appetizer= 10ish dollars.

(Additional math for the players out there:

$50/$10= You can take out 5 girls for the price of one! That's right, one girl per weeknight for the price of one if you act now!)

Mmmmm, yes...much better.

Other Pro's include but are not limited to:

1. Goes both ways- a girl can ask a guy out for a drink without him thinking she's way in to him.

2. You don't have to plan anything, and it can be spontaneous.

3. Guys overall wouldn't get denied as much when they ask someone out because most girls really wouldn't mind going out with someone they'd regularly decline if it's not a huge time investment. Call me shallow, but I think it's legitimate.

[Ehhh em,]

So, ladies and gentlemen, we (the above mentioned group of rowdies) would submit to you that it may be in your best interest to follow in the ways of this thug:

And ask someone out for a little virgin cocktail or Shirley Temple sometime.

xoxo

Circle of 16

2010-07-21T10:09:00.001-06:00

I am loving the Priesthood today. {Well, every day... but...} I was just thinking about how much it impacts my life literally alllll the time. It's everywhere, and when it's not, I notice.

A few months at my cousin Taylor's mission farewell, our family all gathered upstairs in my aunt and uncle's room, and all of the Melchizedek Priesthood holders gave my grandpa a blessing because of his upcoming surgery...

16 men in 1 very powerful circle, giving 1 amazing man an incredible blessing of peace.

{Imagine that for a second...}

Wow.

I phoned my grandpa the day before his surgery,

and he said that he felt so relaxed and peaceful, and grateful for the blessing-

he said it really was making all the difference.

And I'm so sure it was.

That was a few weeks ago and now he's recovering from both of his surgeries, which went better than we could have imagined.

I sure do love him.

MMMmmmm... I'm quite lucky, am I not?

xoxo

Growing Down...*

2010-07-15T20:23:00.005-06:00

Today somewhere between changing diapers, cleaning up crayons, and chasing after ten very quick little toes for the tenth or twelfth time, something hit me. Not like a brick that makes you say "ouch!" though, more like when rain lightly taps on the top of your head just enough that it causes you to take a deep breath and smile a little bit. (Was that cheesy enough for you?)

I was thinking about why we all do all of this kid raising stuff. Honestly it's such a hastle. Baby Max needs constant attention or else he'll let out the most shrill shriek anyone's ever heard. Kennedy (6) and Macy (4) are always fighting over this and that, or calling each other 'poopy-face'. Harrrrd work. I'm not saying this to complain though.

It occurred to me that of course the reason why we do this is because inevitably these little bodies with these little minds and (not so) little personalities will become big bodies some day with big minds and things to accomplish. That's what they need to become, real live human beings who contribute-who have jobs and opinions, goals and boundaries- who do hard things and have 'stuff' to worry about, and are very functional- people who are capable of living life to it's fullest.

Maybe not though.

Maybe we've got things backward.

These kids, they enjoy every little thing.

The most simple things make them smile, and likewise the softest scrape on the knee makes them cry.

The way they run around the house and scream at the very top of their little lungs,

The kisses they give and the laughs they let out... all of it is pure and wonderful and real.

And the last time I checked, living a life that's pure and wonderful and real IS living life to it's fullest.

There's not much going back from life after jobs, school, taxes and such...

So maybe we should take some advice from these kiddos once in a while, if we still can. :)

xoxo

PS, Grandma Johns and I are going to attempt a trip to the beach with them tomorrow... Should be quite an experience! :)

PSS, Even though I love these chitlins, I'm so excited to come back to Home Sweet Logan and Home Sweet UC on Monday. Let's play. Hollllla. ;)

Oops.

2010-07-13T09:19:00.004-06:00

Ummmm... I may or may not have purchased this little treasure on amazon.com today:

The Kodak EasyShare M380 10.2 MP Digital Camera

I know... I know.

Kirsten, you're about to take out ANOTHER student loan for tuition AND you just bought a ~~tin can~~ car. You can't afford a digital camera. Or food. Well, bank account... you can just deal with it. {Insert justification here:}I'm hardly even experiencing buyer's remorse yet. And I've never been even remotely good at saving money anyway.

{Insert further justification here:}

No but really though, something snapped in me the other day. (Maybe the fact that I'm currently entirely wrapped up in the lives of three of the most adorable children on the planet...?) {Insert the blurry proof:}

A digital camera is something I've been wanting for like...eons... but I've never gotten one. To me, it's been the equivalent of that certain pair of jeans you've been eyeing for ages (you know who you are...), or that one kitchen appliance you've been googling over for years (you ALSO know who YOU are)...only probably worse.

Ask my friends. They know.

Anyway, it was way cheap and after reading just about every single manufacturer's detail and customer's review, I did it.

And it's so cute.

And I'm happy.

Sorry, Mom.

Sorry, Bank Account.

"Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second." — Marc Riboud

xoxo

91 Brushy Hill Rd...*

2010-07-09T22:32:00.002-06:00

I'm currently on vacation... so that I can pay for my upcoming vacation.
Wrap your brain around that.

Yesterday I flew out here to Connecticut to watch my cousin Mandy's kids while she and her husband Jonathan are in Brazil for their brother's wedding. Let me give you a bit of a run down, just since the two hour time difference is throwing me off quite a bit and I'm not tired.

These are my little chitlins. If I had a dollar for every time someone called me their mother today, I'd have about 5 dollars. And that's a lot, considering that we only left the house for like three hours.

Not that I mind claiming them as my own...

Are they not so adorable?

They are.

But ohhh,

don't let that fool you.

Packed full of energy and mischief, these ones.

I was ready for bed by 10am, I'm not kidding you.

All sorts of funny adventures have already gone down, including locking ourselves out of the house and having to wait outside for the nice molice pan to rescue us from our sorry, sweaty state.
{Did I mention that it's humid here yet?} {&}

{Thank goodness for sidewalk chalk.} {&}

{If only I'd known about the extra key, hidden a total of 3 feet from the door.}

Yeah.

Anyway, I'm here playing mom for the next 10 or so days, should be crazy fun. Maybe I'll post some funny stories later, or maybe I'll keep them to myself.

What I've learned from day 1 & 2 of my 91 Brushy Hill Rd experience:

1. I lovvvve lil kids, and even when they misbehave, I can go to bat with the best of 'em.

2. I am NOT ready to be a mom.

3. I have a love affair with the culture of New England- the buildings, the trees, the parks, the stores, the people, even the street names... all of it. It seems so old and distinguished and proper- and as classless and trendy as I can be sometimes, I love to imagine living like the people from the books I read who are part of that. Just seems beautiful to me.

4. Speaking of 'beautiful'... EVERYTHING is 'beautiful' to these girls. Hair, dolls, movies, beads, grapes, chalk, weeds... you get it.

I make lists a lot... just realized that.

Welp, later. I think I'm finally tired enough to attempt to get some shut eye now that it's 12:30am (10:30pm Utah time).

xoxoxo

You Can't Send HIM on a Mission...!

2010-07-05T00:20:00.000-06:00

This picture is all the evidence I need that he shouldn't be allowed to leave me for two years:

That's right Brothers and Sisters, he sure is high on lortab.

We can't have missionaries out representing our church like this guy... it's just not appropriate.

Okay fine,

so maybe he had a perscription.

And as much as I don't want to have to miss him for two years,

I'm so proud of him!

Happy Birthday, Kev-butt!! Enjoy your last little bit of freedom while you still can. ;)

I love you, ya big goob!

Also... Happppppy Birthday to you too, Cassafras! You are also amazing and wonderful and a super duper roommate. I'd love to upload a picture of you now, but I'm using a Mac and I can't figure out how to girl... hate me for it.

xoxoxoxoxo

not okay.

2010-06-29T18:59:00.002-06:00

Forrrr the record... This is not okay with me.  I don't claim to be any sort of fashion expert- I don't even claim to have very good taste when it comes to clothing & whatnot... 

HOWEVER,

You do not wear True Religion Jeans and tennis shoes together. 

Especially when you're on national television {The Bachelorette, S6 E5}.

I really don't know why this is such a pet peeve... 

Refer to item #1 on THIS list for further explanation. 

Sorry, Mr. Rated R {classy nickname, by the way} ... you're going home next. Ali will not give you a rose.
{Also this: Kirk is my new favorite...he just passed up Chris in cuteness.}

xoxo

Tough Guy.

2010-06-26T11:09:00.001-06:00

One of the perks of being a proctor in the testing center is that I see each and every tester's Student ID before they take an exam.

Sounds 'whatever', right?

Wrong.

I have to tell you... some of them are downright hilarious.

Namely those of the male variety.

Seriously though, I'm not quite sure what it is in some guy's heads that says "this picture will be way better if I make a really ridiculous, contorted, something-resembling-a-frown-ish-kinda-sorta face", but... it's funny. SO funny.

{Especially since they always seem to be the ones who look like they're going to pee their pants out of nervousness for their test.}

C'mon.

We all know what I'm talking about.

Open up your high school year book. Now turn to the pages with the basketball or football players. Do you see it now? I promise promise that you see before you several explicit examples of
The Tough Guy Face.

Not that these gentlemen aren't great... they really really are...

There must just be something in some guy's DNA that makes them allergic to smiling for the camera...

Maybe some sort of genetic magnet in their faces that forces them in to some sort of fuzzy daze the instant before a picture is taken? {That would explain why they look so spacey...just saying...}

I don't know.

I'll probably never know.

I guess I'll just keep entertaining myself looking at these tough guys.

Ya know, rub some dirt on it.

xoxo

{I know the pictures are blurry... I had to be descrete...you get it though.}

P.S... Someone should probably tell them it's okay to SMILE. Thx.

P.S.S... If by some weird coincidence you're reading this and one of the above pictures is of you, please accept my most sincere apologies...and also...probably take the advice for what it's worth. Yeah. :)

{Photo found here & also via my beloved blackberry flip.}

Freebies...*

2010-06-22T15:00:00.002-06:00

The other day when Coco and I were at Arby's, something spectacular caught my attention.  

It was the receipt.  

It told me that if I went online and filled out a quick survey, they would say "here Kirsten, have a free sandwich, on us, just for giving us your opinion". 

My reaction? Well, duh.  Sweet.

If you're reading this, you probably know that my job entails

me sitting in a chair, zoning out for hours at a time.  

So I thought to myself, "I wonder if I could get more free stuff for my opinions.  I might as well try, since I'm confined to this chair for the next 6 hours anyway". 

And so, over the last half hour or so, I've gone through my wallet looking for the freebies.  

I am now the proud owner of:

2 free Arby's sandwiches

1 buy 1 get 1 Arby's sandwich

1 free Wendy's JBC

1 free entree from Panda Express

1 free drink and 1 free bad of chips the next time I purchase Pita Pit

1 free appetizer with 2 entree purchases from Texas Roadhouse

and

the very unlikely possibility of winning 1 of 5 $1000 gift cards from WalMart, and

the unlikely possibility of winning 1 of 20 $100 gift cards from Smith's.  (Ahh, what the heck, might as well try, right?)

All I'm saying is that I might be on to something here.

All of this:

In exchange for about a half hour's worth of my opinions that I would have wasted sitting here blog stalking or something anyway. 

I'll try to not eat it all in one day. Psych.

Seriously though guys...cool right?

Cha, ching!(Sorry, that's the sound of money going back in my pocket.)

xoxo

{PS...Sorry I talk about fast food so much. Ha.} 

Daddy-o.

2010-06-21T00:58:00.000-06:00

Craig, Brother Frank, Representative, Honorable, Honey, Dad...

To me, he is and always will be my Daddy (and not just when I'm asking for something!).

I'm SO lucky to have a dad like mine.

Not kidding... my dad is better than your dad. ;)

Dad,

Happy Father's Day! Thank you for being an amazing example to me of everything I know I want to be when I grow up! ;) Your testimony has always fueled mine and your example has gotten me through so much throughout the years. I know we're not all always perfect (dang close though, right?), but honestly without you we'd be nothing! Can't wait to go on our daddy/daughter date (exp. 8/30/10, remember?). I LOVE YOU!!

xoxoxo,

Kirsty

in which I confess my undying love for

2010-06-14T15:01:00.000-06:00

Mr. Ron Pope.
Let's talk about it.
If you know me well, you're already more than aware of my little ~~crush on~~ obsession with him.

Mr. Pope has a voice that makes little girls like me swoon because of all his sappy romanticism.
{Pitter, patter...}

Please just listen and love, friends:

xoxo

A Healthy Dose of Perspective...*

2010-06-08T13:37:00.004-06:00

{This was featured on the Sausage Grinder Blog today via whatshername13.deviantart.com... worth some consideration, I think.}

Woah, right?

injustice

2010-06-02T19:01:00.005-06:00

I took a trip last night to one of the local fast food establishments here in Logan so as to satiate my ever-growing sweet tooth's desires. All was going well... I ordered one of my favorite treats, just as I have frequently done my entire life. I pulled up to the window and gladly handed over my $1 plus $0.06 tax. I pulled up to the next window, and was handed......

THIS:

As opposed to this:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This just in: Wendys has downsized their dollar frosty from the regular 12oz. cup that we all know and love to the kids-meal-sized-somethin'-that-resembles-a-shot-glass 6oz size cup.

THIS is an injustice to every single person in America who loves frostys.

Which is every single person in America.

When will the madness end?!

There are only two [legal] solutions here:

1. Find a way to stop inflation.

2. Vote me in as President in 2012... I'll go socialist on their behinds and force them to change it back. [& there are verrrry few things in this world that would ever force me this far left...]

I'm a force to be reckoned with here.

I mean business.

What has this world come to..?

Six Things

2010-05-31T14:05:00.000-06:00

Isn't life so beautifully simple sometimes?

xoxo

It Is Dead Week.

2010-04-28T18:44:00.002-06:00

Finals are coming... 

The impending doom is more exhausting than frightening at this point, and I'm literally counting down to the hour in which I will finish my last final (sometime on Wednesday evening). 

To Do:

Study. 

Study. 

Study. 

Study. 

Study. 

Study. 

Study.

"Third Law of Applied Terror: 80% of the final exam will be based on the one lecture you missed and the one book you didn't read." – Unknown

Amen to that. So as to bust some stress for those of you who are currently reading my blog and not studying, please enjoy the following from collegehumor.com. They make me feel like mayyyybe I'm not actually a failure. ;)

The Heart Of Life Is Good...*

2010-04-19T16:32:00.005-06:00

I haven't blogged in a while, and I haven't blogged substantively in even longer. Sorry. I guess one of the reasons for that is that I've been writing a lot more in my own journal... doing a lot more actual considering of ideas and frankly venting a lot, rather than just blogging for the sake of blogging or writing about cursory things... and actually, it feels really good.

Now that I'm done making excuses, I'd like to personally acknowledge the bliss that is the great outdoors in Logan, Utah.

Hello, Springtime! :)

There's nothing quite like sunny, warm spring weather. Somehow it feels like the warmth is melting away all of life's troubles and bringing with it every reason to smile really big and put exigencies in their place, if only for a little while.

There's nothing quite like picnicking on a breezy Sunday afternoon with four of your best friends either.

After an incredible stake conference yesterday, Megs, Natta, Madi, Chels and I set out to find a perfect picnic spot. We found a cute little old stable right by the temple, and deemed it the

PS I Love You House because of its resemblance to the Irish architecture from one of our favorite movies.

We spent the afternoon

eating PB&Js,

blowing bubbles,

napping,
demolishing chocolate easter bunnies
[probably best if you don't ask about that]
and listening to the guitar
(The Heart of Life, John Mayer
Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen)
Without a care in the world.

I even took some Kirsten time and walked around the temple for a while.

The peace that place offers is undeniable... I'm going there someday!

All in all, I think I've had very few afternoons that could top this one.

Amazing friends, amazing place, amazing lifestyle, amazing spirit, amazing opportunities all around me.

I am such a lucky girl, no? ;)

xoxo, Kirst

Dear Sunshine,

2010-04-08T16:05:00.008-06:00

I love you A LOT, A LOT.
Kindly stay and play a while.
You help me to slow my mind and take a deep breath
when my head is cloudy &
I'm feeling like I have too many decisions to make.

(Photo found here.)

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and the shadows will fall behind you." -Walt Whitman.

xoxo, Kirst

(P.S... I totally aced my Constitutional Theory exam, and I'm more than excited about it. Wahoo!!!)

Each Life That Touches Ours For Good...*

2010-03-30T17:49:00.007-06:00

How incredibly grateful I am for the blessing of the knowledge of God's Plan of Salvation. At some point last night, a dear friend to my family (and grandfather to my cousins,)
Our "Boppa", Mel Romney, passed away in his sleep at the age of 83.
Truly, Grandpa Mel is one of the most loving people I'll ever have the opportunity to know. He lived an incredible earthly life, full of so much service and love and light! He's always been such an example to me of genuine Christlike love. He was always so careful to send everyone in the room a smile or a wink. He will truly be missed here.
I'm so grateful that I KNOW that he's now with his loved ones in heaven, and that all who love him will see him again someday!
My prayers are with his children and grandchildren- all of whom are wonderful people.

Each Life That Touches Ours For Good

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory,

Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior’s name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

Experiencing the death of a loved one truly brings to perspective all of my blessings- and brings to light the many, many beautiful people who touch my life every day.
I'm so grateful for all of the amazing people who surround me. I think I forget far too often to thank those whom I love so much for the role they play in my life.
Try to take a little bit of time today to make sure that the people who you love know that you love them- it's so worth it!

xoxo,
Kirst

Obamacare...*

2010-03-25T16:08:00.002-06:00

http://www.doctorsonstrike.com/healthcarehumor/healthcarehumor.html

Thanks, man.

I've been fronting.

2010-03-23T21:28:00.006-06:00

Watched a chick flick last night.

Realized this:

If there's such a thing as putting on a front for myself, sometimes I do just that.

See, sometimes I pretend.

I act grown up.

Or posture myself as businesswoman-ish.

Or pretend to know more than I do.

Or hold a conversation like I know what I'm talking about...

[When I really don't have a clue...]

I want so harrrrd to be a smarty pants...'cause I'm analytical, you see... so I've subconsciously concluded (and also recently consciously recognized my underlying opinion) that the people who are figuratively 'on top' are the people who have found and likewise capitalized upon the

balance of 'street smarts' & intellectuality & the general ability to retain knowledge.

But you know what? I think I was way off.

I have to admit:

This hankering of mine to be a 'smarty pants' is something that I have seriously overestimated.

Now what in the world does all of that have to do with chick flicks?

Here's what.

My conclusion:

How about I just quit fronting and be carefree girl for a bit?

So...I'll do just that. I'm coming clean. This could be bad.

Ten Less Than 'Cool' Things About Kirsten

Which I Will Neither Hide Nor Deny From This Point On,
And That I Should Probably Feel Bad About But Often Don't!

1. I judge guys by their shoes. Yeah... I know, right? If a cute guy is wearing ugly shoes (or wears the same pair too many days in a row), I instantly stereotype and lose all interest whatsoever. Not girls though. And I don't hold myself to the same standard.

2. I spend lots of time putting on my eye shadow in the morning. And I love it. Wearing makeup is fun and makes me feel pretty. Lots of it even. I rarely go 'natural'. :)

3. I do NOT like mice. I know I acted tough last time, but they give me the freakin' heeby-jeebies. And spiders. And possums. And snakes. And eels. Ew. Ew especially eels. I act tough a lottt.

4. My legs are hairy most of the time. I know what you're thinking... I know...

5. My kitchen floor is dirty all the time... I never mop.

6. I'm a total sucker for movie kisses. I get the worst butterflies from really cute movie kisses and I hide it from everyone! (This is the secret that got me to write this blog...get it now?)

7. I don't like surprises in movies. I'd straight-up rather know if someone is going to die at the end of the movie so I can prepare myself for it and have the whole movie ruined, just so I don't leave myself vulnerable to emotions (so as to not cry in front of people and risk looking like a sap).

8. I can't say no when I really want to a lot of the time which leads me to sometimes be fake, which leads me to lead people on sometimes. And even knowing that I do, I still like the attention a lot of the time. Yikes...

9. I edit...tons...of my photos...before posing them...yep... to make me look better. Ouch. ;)

10. I'm really, really bad at returning things in a timely manner. I borrow stuff all the time and fully intend to return it quickly, but it rarely happens. (Madi, Shannon and Megan can especially attest to this. Sorry guys!)

Glad to get all of that off my chest.

xoxo

Trooper Kirsten Frank...*

2010-03-18T21:09:00.003-06:00

[You might as well call me Trooper Kirsten Frank.]

Yes, yes, I did go out on a DUI Blitz on St. Pattie's Day. And yes, it was awesome.

Even apprehended a guy who refused to blow in to the PBT.

He was so hammered.

Took him right to jail.

Item of business #2:

Get ready for Universal Healthcare. If you want to choose between food for your family or health insurance, your choices are soon to be 1. Health Insurance or 2. Health Insurance.

Newsflash: This isn't a good thing.

Out of curiosity, what exactly is the purpose of 'the process' if you can just 'deem a bill passed'?

Puhhhhlease.

& Nancy Pelosi doesn't look good in putrid-St.-Patrick's-Day-green.

Or ever. :)

Sorry for the downer there! On to the more optimistic...

In other news...

Madi's recent exploration with her Holga camera has led to some oh-so-gorgeous artsy creations, like this:

Very Ansel Adams, no?

[Check out more at her adorable blog: madiswhirlwind.blogspot.com]

Also this...

I <3 my family. As it turns out, staying home for spring break isn't too bad.

xoxo,

Kirst

Talking to Myself...*

2010-03-10T00:50:00.004-07:00

I'm not sure if it's just me, or if other people sometimes find themselves talking...to themselves.

Just now I was [admittedly] sitting here wallowing in a disconsolate self-pity for some of the dumber choices I've made lately which have led me in to recurring frustrating circumstances.

I consciously recognized the mood I'd landed myself in, and no sooner had I come to that conclusion than the following phrases popped in to my head and right out of my mouth:

"I am not broken.

I am not losing."

Sometimes it's that simple. I think it's safe to say that if you can take a step back from yourself when feeling discouraged, and the components that make up your life are in accordance with right and truth, then you're headed in the right direction (even if just 30 seconds ago you weren't). And if that's the case, then you must be winning.

So really, what reason have I to wallow?

Maybe that wasn't me talking to myself at all.

xoxo, Kirst

(Photo found here.)

Well Wishes...*

2010-03-08T15:23:00.002-07:00

One time, we were playing Gods of War at a church.

*Gods of War is a crazy game of indoor rugby/dodgeball invented by P. Jones, if you were wondering.

Our dearest Chunchie may have gotten a little combative,

& as a result, well... see for yourself:

One larrrrge and in-charge ankle. She was such a good girl though... didn't even cry!

As a result, we spent much of our Friday evening at the ER.

Wishing you well, Chunch! Way to be a trooper! xoxo, Kirst

(Photos from Madi's Blog.)

fb chat

2010-03-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

Bahahaha....

Hahahaha... ha. Ha ha ha.

Yep... still laughing.

Facebook chat often incites some hilarious conversations... this is something that I know to be fact.

If you don't hold the same opinion as I do, please read on, and your mind will be swiftly changed.

Porter

Well good evening.

7:31pmKirsten

Porter! Entertain me.

I'm dying.

I'm sooooo bored.

7:32pmPorter

Where are you?

7:33pmKirsten

Work.

7:34pmPorter

Oh...

Hm....

What can I say?

Um...I'll tell a funny story.

So in my friend's ward there is a family that has a kid who has down syndrome and he's in a center.

7:36pmKirsten

...Okay...

7:36pmPorter

Well last week he kept calling his mom saying, "There's a troll in my closet! Come get it out."

But she just brushed it off.

But he kept calling and calling his mom and dad.

So they decided to go down and check it out.

And when they got there, the son had put all his furniture up against his closet.

And when they finally opened the door, there was a midget in the closet!

He was a Jehovah's witness who was knocking doors, and when he opened the door, he thought he was a troll so he picked him up and put him in the closet...for 8 hours!

Funny!

Ha, ha ha ha ha.... YES FUNNY. SO FUNNY.

Be careful, my dear short friends... this could happen to you!

Happy Thursday!!

(Photo found here.)

Quick Observations...*

2010-03-02T19:16:00.001-07:00

(Photo found here.)

1. Jake should have picked Tenley, that's a given. Also, I still don't like Vienna even a baby bit. And if you want to read some reallllly funny things about The Bach, click HERE.

2. It's been 35-45 degrees in Logan this week... if I had shorts up here, I'd wear them.

2.5 I can nottttt wait for SPRING TIME!

3. Campaign Week is FUN at USU! Students, if you haven't voted yet, go vote HERE. And preferably vote BRITT INGALLS for Programming VP.

4. Institute rocks my socks. I'm soooo grateful for the pick-me-up I get every Tuesday and Thursday from Brother Fowles and Brother Irwin. I recommend teacher either highly!

5. My friends are amazing. And so cute. Want proof? Click HERE or HERE or HERE or HERE or...just look at them.

In other news...

6. The Case of McDonald v. City of Chicago was heard today in the Surpreme Court... Interesting stuff. Link HERE for more transcript (and no, I did not read even close to all of it) . Opposingviews.com wrote a short and sweet summary about it today. Link to article here.

7. Dad says that the Utah State Legislature is probably going to pass the Tobacco Tax Bill. For those of you who aren't aware, this is a large-sized bummer. I'm all about cleaning the air and stuff... but I don't exactly think it's moral for Utah to jump on this particular bandwagon.

8. The following songs have made me very happy as of late:

One in the Same by Cady Groves (Free from PureVolume)

Heads I Win, Tales You Kiss Me by Monster Goes Rawr (Also free from PureVolume)

Creator by Santigold

Relator by Scarlett Johansson and Pete Yorn (thank you, Madi!)

Calling You by Blue October

Stellar by Incubus (always <3...)

Paperweight by Joshua Radin

Dinosaur by Ke$ha

Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine

LOVE (full cd) by Angels & Airwaves (the cd is free for download on their website right now!)

Ring the Alarm by Beyonce (don't diss. Seriously.)

Check 'em.

HAPPY MARCH!

xoxo, Kirst

My Experience With The Prophet...*

2010-02-17T17:39:00.010-07:00

**I've become aware that this post has made its way out to the world wide web in both negative and positive ways. Because this is my personal blog, and because this post was not written to cause debate or quarrel, I'd like to kindly direct any further inquiries about what and why I believe to www.mormon.org, where you can ask missionaries questions, request a copy of The Book of Mormon, and learn more about my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Any negative or offensive comments to this article will not be posted. Hope this helps! Thank you! :)

Best. Valentine’s Day. Ever.

On February 14th (last Sunday), my friends and I stayed with Cassidy's aunt and uncle in Holliday. They're in the prophet's home ward, and we knew it, so we decided to stay and go to church with them on Sunday. Of course we were all praying that he'd be there, but we knew from Ed and Penny telling us that he only attends his home ward every few months, so we weren't expecting it.

When we pulled in to the parking lot, Taren told us 'that's the prophet's car', and we all immediately started freaking out...! :)

We walked in to the chapel, and everyone inside was reverently standing. A feeling of incredible peace came over me as I looked up to the stand and saw

President Thomas S. Monson

standing there shaking the hand of the bishop. To my knowledge, I've never been in such close proximity to a prophet of God before that time.

He sat down, and we did too. The meeting started, and proceeded as every other ward around the world did on that day- excepting that at the conclusion of the meeting, the prophet spoke to us.

I was surprised at how casual he was... It was really cute actually! He spoke about missionary work around the world. At one point he was talking about being in Mexico. He mentioned how he sang to 95,000 Mexican saints at an event there. And then he began to sing the song to us... in Spanish... over the pulpit, with hand motions and everything. It was fantastic!!

He thanked the members of his ward and said that he always likes to attend his home ward when he can:

"When I got in the car this morning, my driver asked me where I wanted to go. I said... 'I dunno... I hadn't thought about it'. Then I said 'I'll go to my home ward. I like it there... yeah... I'll go there'. So I came, and here I am." He kind of looked around lightheartedly and shook his head up and down, as if affirming that he'd made the right choice in visiting the ward that day.

I definitely think he made the right choice. :)

He talked jokingly about how he liked having his records in the ward. He said "ya know, the thing about bein' the president of the church is... you don't really have to ask anyone permission for that sort of thing". It was a hoot.

We ended up talking to him out in the foyer and outside the building for probably about a half an hour total... just me and my group of friends and Cass' cousins. It was so cool! I was surprised at what a total jabber-box he was... he just talked and talked and talked! He said "I'm a good judge of beauty and I see one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.... beautiful girls here".

That made us feel pretty good!
*I'd like to note here because of some of the comments I've received that he said this in a completely lighthearted and sincere way, just how a grandpa would call his granddaughter beautiful. In including his comment in my post, I didn't mean anything by it but to illustrate his kind manner toward us, as a person, not even necessarily in his role as the leader of the church. I'd also like to note that the reason his wife, Frances, was not in attendance with him is because she was feeling very sick that day. There had been a church statement put out about her being sick about a month prior to our meeting him, and he mentioned over the pulpit that she was sill recovering from that very sickness.

He'd tell us a story, then say 'well, I'd better go', and then start talking again. That probably happened 3 or 4 times. :) He talked a lot about Frances, his wife. As I mentioned, she was sick that day so she wasn't there with him, but he told us that before he left their home that morning, while she was still sleeping, he said "Happy Valentine’s Day Frances", and gave her a kiss. (So cute.) He told us the story of when they met, and about persuing her, and he relayed to us a story that he'd once told in Conference about how his great-uncle converted her parents to the gospel, so that gave him an advantage with her parents. He told us another story that he'd told in Conference about all of the widows who used to be in his ward, and he quoted Tennyson to us as well. He even got a little teary-eyed when he told us about speaking at every single one of their funerals, which was really cool.

There was SO MUCH light in his eyes. I found myself thinking about the apparent contradiction that I was in... Here’s this man, who is God's prophet on this earth... who is revered and reverenced around the world. He's respected and loved by millions and millions of people. When he goes to foreign places, he's given the best of the best. He meets with world leaders. His example influences people around the world.

And at the same time, he's just a grandpa. He's funny. He rambles, and repeats himself. He's really goofy and jokes a lot. He laughs at himself. His body is weak and feeble- he's a human. He didn't make anyone there feel intimidated. He didn't boast, even in the slightest, about who he is. In some ways it was just like talking to my own grandfather.

He's growing so old, and yet he does SO much. It was such a testimony to me of how much the Lord lifts His servants to do His work. There's no way this man before me could do everything he does on his own.

He told us lots of other stories and had a really cool conversation with all of us about all sorts of things that I won't completely relay here.

Before it was time to leave, Megan asked him if he could give us any advice, what he would leave with us.

He said this:

"I'll give you the same advice I give myself- I'm on my knees every morning and every night."

I don't think any of us are going to have a hard time remembering to say our morning prayers anymore. :)

After he left us, we were all on cloud nine for hours. We sang "We Thank Thee, Oh God, for a Prophet" together, and we talked about it the whole way home. We got back for the last hour of our own ward, and we couldn't help but continue to smile and feel peaceful and so happy. It was a feeling of lasting peace that I haven't experienced quite like that before.

That was two days ago, and still a few times a day it hits me what an amazing experience I had. Sometimes it feels like a movie or a dream, but then I look at the pictures and the spiritual feeling I had then comes back to a small degree. I'll look back on that day for the rest of my life, I know it.

I'm such a lucky girl. :)

xoxo

The Best Weekend Ever...*

2010-02-17T15:52:00.001-07:00

I think the more that I say I'm 'the luckiest girl on earth', the luckier and luckier I get!

February 12-14th will forever be riiiight on the top of my list for 'best weekends ever'. Friday night, the girls and I were treated to an incredible dinner by Andy Christensen- Pork chops, mashed potatoes, squash, and homemade chocolate cheesecake with strawberries on top, coupled with the Opening Ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics (GO USA!!).

On Saturday, the girls and I headed down to SLC for a "non-Valentines" retreat. We went shopping at the gateway (and I got theeee cutest animal print coat ever... wait till you see it Mom ;)..). We had a rule that every time anyone said the word 'single', we had to do this:

It was hilarious. After dinner at Biaggi's, we went to see Valentines Day at the theater at the Gateway with a group of approximately 30-40 women who are all 'older' and single... apparently they do dinner and a movie every V-day, and needless to say, it was a hoot. (By the way, the movie had some really cute and funny parts, but I don't recommend it because of Anne Hathaway's classless-ness.)

After the movie, Madi, Chelsea, Megan, and I went over to the Captiol where my cousin Lance was going to propose to his such-the-cutest-girlfriend-ever, Karen. We watched a really white-trash-ish prom from the balcony while we were waiting for them to come down from the top of the dome (best proposal ever? I think so...). They were adorable when they came down... both super giddy and giggly and just so happy to be in love-y. I love Lance a lot a lot, and it was so cool to see him so happy like that. Someday I'm going to be like that too, thanks to his amazing example and the examples of other cousins and friends. :)
After they left, Dad and Mom gave us a tour of the Cap, since none of my friends had been there. We even pretended to be Speaker of the House for a while... hmmm.... Madam Speaker Kirsten Frank.... hmmm. :)

We spent the night at Cass' uncle and aunt's place. We woke up in the morning and the stairs from the basement were lined with little gift baskets with candy in them for each of us. Thank you, Ed and Penny!

We all pitched in to make breakfast for the family and for ourselves to say thank you, and it was so much fun.

Then we went to church, and had an absolutely incredible experience meeting President Thomas S. Monson. We got to talk to him for about a half an hour after the meeting.

And because of that, I'm going to break the code of 'only one blog per day' and write a separate post about our experience with him... needless to say it was AMAZING.

That post to follow.

xoxo, Kirst

Elements of 'The Good Life'.

2010-02-11T19:18:00.001-07:00

Being an Aggie. Going out to eat. Redbox. Daddy. Screenit.com. Potstickers. Learning to drive stick. Surprise visits from good friends. Logan, Utah. Soda pop. The Utah State Legislature. Surprise notes. Being told I look like my mom.Peepers. "It's not what it looks like!" Facebook. 2020. Phone calls from BYU Nerd. When people (boy people) call me 'Kirst'. The Pie Pizzeria. Cumbersome Chase Clyde. Shopping online. Text messaging late @ night.Expensive cheese. Joshua Radin. Good conversation. Reading the newspaper. Kevie. Tepanyaki. Institute. Red Blackberry Pearl. Babbitt.Ayn Rand. Google Chat. Good Hair Days. Munchie. Nap time. When Haili sings 'Do-do-do-Dora'. Alone time. Visiting Home. Quotable Quotes. Danger Girls. The Bachelor. Cardboard Geico speakers. Proverbs 3:5-6. Mailing Bananas. $7.25/hr. Wedding Announcements. Blog-stalking. Inside jokes. Footie Pajamas. Boots and Boys. El Capitol. Calling Madi 'irrational'. Madi's reaction when I call her irrational. Brother Irwin. xoxo's. M-Wahs. Going on Dates. Mother Bennett. Flowers. Hogwarts acceptance letters. Encarnacion Videos. Grandpa Jack. Boyfriend memories. Baby Bean. Straight-across bangs. Really Good Photography. Salt Lake City. Pictures cousin Perry draws for me. D-I-N-O-S-A... You Are a Dinosaur! Jumping on the bed. "Chap-stick. Stick-up. Up-stairs. Stair-well. Well-being." Mormon boys. Ghana. The Spectrum. Being Kirst-Nugget....etc, etc.

= 1 fantastic life.
xoxo, Kirst

A Bookshelf...*

2010-02-09T18:59:00.009-07:00

I got to thinking today.

(Yeah, that happens occassionally.)

I wonder, if every single thing I know right now were spewed out on to pages of loose-leaf paper,

just how much loose-leaf paper would there be?

There are certain things I think about all the time... family, friends, God, church, boys (admittedly), dating, school, the future, The Bachelor ;) , food, work, etc.

And then there are things that are only called to memory based on certain situations that I find myself in... theories I've studied, things I read, memories I have, people who I know, etc.

And if you add all of that together...every opinion, thought, concept, fact, or idea I've ever had... that's my what my life is made up of. I think there'd be a lot of paper everywhere.

Over a lifetime, that's gotta be a lot of paper... and lots of paper can create lots of books....and so according to this ridiculous metaphor that my mind made up, we're all writing our own books all the time.

I'm well aware that the thought process I just shared might seem really absurd... but I guess that for me at least, it's encouraging too.

“You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” -James Allen

I think that at the end of my life, when all is said and done and bound forever,
I want the bookshelf laden with the books made up of all of the loose-leaf paper of my life
to be riddled with

stories of laughing all night with my roommates,

doing service for other people,

thinking about everything God's given me,

being there for friends who needed me,
accomplishing a lot,

& productive thought.

And not otherwise. :)
Just thinkin'. :)

On another note, if you are looking for another blog article to read and your are either 1. a Danger Girl, or 2. one of my good friends who understands me and my ridiculous friends, and our even more ridiculous collective sense of humor, read this.

xoxo, Kirst

Photo found here.

More Precious than Rubies: Truths About Body Image in a World of Lies

2010-02-04T21:33:00.003-07:00

Only 2% of women in the world consider themselves beautiful.

2 of 3 twelve year old girls in America think that they're fat.

56% of 7th grade girls have experienced 'body hatred'.

Only 29% of high school girls report being happy with their body type.

14% of 5 year old girls in America say they've been on a 'diet' before...and

By the time American girls are 10 years old,

80% have been on a 'diet'.

46% of 11-16 year olds say they've considered plastic surgery.

This last Sunday, I had the chance to go home to Utah County and attend a fireside that was put on for the Young Women in the Pleasant Grove Grovecreek Stake where I used to live. It was beautiful, incredibly eye opening and completely uplifting, so I thought I'd write a bit about the presentation and my thoughts throughout it here- for my own record, 'cause I told my momma I would, and for anyone else who is interested.

It was presented by two sisters from Arizona (didn't get their names down, sorry...). It was called

More Precious than Rubies:

Truths About Body Image in a World of Lies

The presentation outlined statistics about how women all over the world view their bodies, discussed what effect media has on women's perception of themselves, and taught 6 ways that we as girls and women can be actively involved in fighting against Satan's influence over us in regards to self worth.

"The key to feeling confident is to always listen to your inner self- the real you.” And in the kingdom of God, the real you is 'more precious than rubies.' Every young woman is a child of destiny and every adult woman a powerful force for good."-Jeffery R. Holland, "To Young Women", Ensign Nov 2005

Heavenly Father knows the world we're living in. He knows our challenges, and He's aware of our situations- collectively and personally. From the time we go to Primary, we learn that the two reasons we've all come to earth are 1) to get a body, and 2) to be tested.

The message that the world tells us today: Our bodies ARE the test... And that's just not true!

'What is Satan's REAL desire? We know he is evil, but what is he really after? It is simply this: That we become as miserable as he is. Sister Susan Tanner, the General Young Women's President, understands perfectly:

"The devil has no body, and herein is his punishment. . . . Therefore he tries to do everything he can to get us to abuse or misuse this precious gift. He has filled the world with lies and deceptions about thebody. He tempts many to defile this great gift of the body through unchastity, immodesty, self-indulgence, and addictions . . . He entices the world to regard the body merely as an object."'(1,2)

I can't help but think I forget that far too often! This world is jam-packed full of messages that tell us we need to look a certain way. During the fireside, the speaker discussed 'cultural ideals'. She showed several women throughout time who were considered 'beautiful' by cultural standards.

An example: Cleopatra.

(4)

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think she'd quite make the cover of Vogue today.

What a comfort it is that Heavenly Father's definition of beauty never changes. :)

3 Nephi 3:6-7 says "Therefore I write unto you, desiring that ye would yield up unto this my people, your cities, your lands, and your possessions...Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us..."(3) What are we willing to give up to become like the world? How much will we spend? How far will we go?

Sister Elaine S. Dalton gave a talk a few months ago where she said:

"Don't give up your ability to change the world for a chance to be like the world".

I think maybe that quote should become scripture mastery, or something. :)

I mentioned previously that during the fireside, we were presented with 6 tools to combat Satan's influences. Since that night, I've taken some time to think about each of them and write down my feelings and impressions regarding each. I won't write much about those things here, but I'll definitely submit to you that they're all worth considering no matter who you are or how you feel about yourself!

1. Remember Your Divine Worth and the Reason You Came to Earth.

2. Forget Yourself and Serve Others

3. Fight "Fatism"

-Fatism is just like racism or sexism, but it's socially acceptable! We need to stop judging people by their outward appearance and look to improve ourselves instead.

4. Remember that Bodies Have Power

- "All beings who have bodies have power over those who do not."-Joseph Smith

5. Question Media Messages

-Looking at Pottery Barn magazines all day does not make you feel better about your own house. :)

6. Affirm That Your Body is Perfect The Way it Is!

Heavenly Father Does Not Make Mistakes.

I might sound like a broken record, but I really am SO lucky to have the life I do. I'm so grateful for my incredible friends and my absolutely wonderful family. I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ and for my Heavenly Father, and I'm grateful that they're just a prayer away all the time! I am a very lucky girl, and I love myself just the way I am!

Here's to some of the most BEAUTIFUL WOMEN I KNOW, INSIDE AND OUT!

Thank you Sister Hall for bringing us that amazing message, and for reminding us that we're all beautiful daughters of God!!!

xoxo, Kirst

Sources:

1. http://w2.byuh.edu/devotionals/data/View.php?ArticleID=248

2. Susan W. Tanner, "The Sanctity of the Body," Ensign, Nov 2005, 13-15.

3. Book of Mormon, 3 Ne 3:6-7

4. http://www.divasthesite.com/images/Cleopatra/Cleopatra_intro.jpg

Mardi Gras...*

2010-02-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

Consider this my shout out.

There is no reason for anyone to do anything else but be at USU's Mardi Gras party this Saturday.

If you're a student, it's $5.

If you're not, it's $10.

So worth it!

Last year's Mardi Gras party was one of the funnest parties I've ever been to.

We discovered the loves of our lives, Lady Danville,

& the magic show was amazing!

& plus there's going to be a hypnotist this year.

Be there!

The link to the facebook event can be found here.

Our Fish Died Today.

2010-02-01T16:26:00.003-07:00

I told you it would.

I will not

2010-01-22T16:21:00.001-07:00

eat 3 Fun Dips tomorrow.
I did today. I'm such a sucker.

Can I really be blamed though? So much sugar- so much fun. And right now they can be purchased in individually sized packs for the upcoming holiday...

   AKA Valentine's Day.
                    On which day, Miss Natalie Rose will be my Valentine.
                         Sorry boys, I
                              already asked her.

xoxo

FiSHy FRieND...*

2010-01-09T20:08:00.001-07:00

During winter break, I made a list of possible new hobbies and/or activities.

Among them was

"Get a pet fish".

And apparently my roommates liked the idea.

So we set off for Petsmart.

(Okay, that place smells bad.)

They, being the humanitarians they are, or whatever,

Resolved to purchase the most homely fish in the store,

So that it would not have to endure living the full duration of its poor life at the pet store.

So, now we have a fish.

It looks like a burn victim.

And apparently it's a hermaphrodite.

(So half the rocks in the bowl are blue, and half are pink...

It's the only fair way.)

Its dorsal fin is limp.

And it's sickly...so says the pet store man.

It will not live long.

And for now it has no name.

But it is ours, and so we will love it.

PS, Madi blogged about it HERE, if you're interested.

xoxo

Resolving...*

2010-01-09T00:20:00.001-07:00

As mentioned earlier, here are my 2010 'resolutions'. Truth be told, the only reason I'm posting them is because I hope that somehow in doing so I'm implimenting my own sort of peer pressure...
We'll see about that though.
I'm not one for resolutions or goals or anything of the sort upon the arrival of a new year usually, but this year I'd like to try it out. Not necessarily because it's a new year, but because lately I've been thinking "Kirsten, it's time to change THIS...or this or this or this... etc...".

So without further ado,

Kirsten's New Year/New Girl Resolutions:

Physical:

~Go to the gym! 3 times a week minimum. Run more.

Here's why I can't make excuses about it:

I don’t have class till 11:30 on Mon, Wed, and Fri. Saturday mornings are free too.

And Shannie B. will come with me on Mon and Wed.

The only reasons I won’t go is if I’m 1. Sick or if I 2. Have something else I have to do like study or work. No being lazy!

~Watch my weight!
Here's How: Portion control! Eat what I want to eat when I want to eat it… just really watch my portions! For treats, eat 1/2 as much as I usually would. For other food, weigh it out depending on how good/bad it is for me.

Proviso: No eating after 10pm.

Additional Goal: Drink lotttts of water. Why? Because I have a super cute water bottle. And because drinking water is healthy. 5+ bottles a day.

Additional Goal: Don’t buy soda. If I don’t have to buy it, that’s fine (moderation… moderation…), but unless it comes as part of a meal or it's otherwise free... no go.

Mental:

Write in my journal 2-3 times/week.

Read a leisure book for a few hours a week, not for class or church, for ME.
Have study time… really, make study time. And...actually study...during study time.

Do my assigned reading BEFORE the lecture.

If I can find proper time, its okay to take naps every once in a while.

Be less loud. Speak more quietly, and not just for the sake of hearing my own voice. ;)
Be more introverted & less ostentatious. Learn, think, and progress mentally for myself. Not for people around me.

Spiritual:

Read the scriptures for 15-30 minutes each MORNING.

Read an additional talk or a church book at least 1-3 times per week.

Use the little black notebook that Space Man Home Teacher Andrew gave me.

-1 per day gratitude note.

-1 per day event.

More consciously recognize the reality of Diety more. Really talk to God when I pray.
And remember the Adversary. He's real too. Don't forget!

Do my visiting teaching!

Attend FHE,

& go to another church function at least once a month.

Other Goals:

Run one load of laundry per week.

De-clutter the apartment for 15 minutes every other day.

De-clutter my room for 15 minutes every other every other day.

Only look at facebook once a day.

Read the news every day.

Talk to someone in my family every day.

No force flirting. ;)

Get my CILS done this semester!

Refresher assignemnt for my upcoming math class once every two weeks… just do it.

So that's that.

xoxo

20...*

2010-01-03T21:07:00.001-07:00

9:00 pm, January 4th, 2010. I officially have 3 hours left of being a teenager.

Just got finished with my family combined birthday with my Grandma DJ, who turns 74 on the 11th.

As I wade through many memories of yesteryear, etc. etc…

I’m really actually just excited to get on with it! Life is good. I know I’ve been joking about turning ‘twenteen’ for the past few weeks now, but (after being officially invited to ‘the club’ by Shon anddd) after thinking a lot lately about life in general and growing up, I’m getting pretty excited.

I’ve been alive for two wonderful decades now, and as I am pushed in to the beginning of the third decade,

I’m happy. &

I’m excited. &

I’m terrified.

But I think that’s how it should be. This is a big one! A decade of choices.

During this decade I will (hopefully) marry someone whom I will be very in love with and who is absolutely wonderful… and I’ll get to be sealed to him forever, which is incredible. Of course I have my worries about marriage and all of that… but I’m definitely excited, and I’m definitely not in any hurry either.

I’ll be honest with you… I want to get married.

But…not like… in a marriage hungry way, or in an obsessive way, or even a secretly obsessive way. I know it’ll happen at the right time, and really if you think about it, I’m supposed to want that.

Also, this is the decade in which I’ll probably start my family and become a mom… which is such a crazy thought to me. I’m not even close to being ready to be a mom yet… I don’t really know if there’s ever a time or a defining moment where all of the sudden one is ‘ready’… but this is the decade where I’ll figure that all out too. Just saying.

For now, I’m just going to keep being (or start being) 20 and live some of the most fabulous years of my life in the best way I can!

On another note, I’m not usually one for New Years resolutions, but this year I’m going for it.

…Two pages worth.

I’ll post that stuff later… hold me to it all, okay guys?

Off to do something reckless to finish off my teeeenagerdom.

It’s been a good ride.

xoxo

Negligence

2009-12-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

....{n}: Disregard, failure, forgetfulness, heedlessness, inattention, inattentiveness, laxity, laxness, neglect, neglectfulness, oversight, thoughtlessness, unpreparedness...

That's what has been up with me and this blog. I believe I warned about this in my very first post...and between studying for finals, and finals themselves... can I really be blamed? I don't think so.

Sorry blog.

***NEWSFLASH, NEWSFLASH!!****
I QUIT my call center job!!!! :) No more Comcast for me!! :) Yay!!! No more of that! Next semester I'm just going to work my Distance Education job more, and I'm taking out a little-baby-iiitsy-bit of a student loan to help with tuition.
And I couldn't be happier with my decision.

Anyway, a lotttt more has been going on lately. I'm FINALLY home for the holidays! It's soooo good to be with family and friends who I haven't seen in a while. Finals week was pretty crazy, but I made it through with pretty good grades and I'm already excited for next semester. It's been a while since I did full time school... over a year now... so I'm a bit nervous to be completely honest, but I'm excited to tackle it. Other than that... just life, love, and all that jazz.

I miss my Logan friends a bit though. Logan is a great place.

Hmmm.... Nothing too substantial on my mind right now to write about... Don't love blog-guilt. :) I wish I were more like Madi... she's so great at being a blogger. I love that Madi-San. Also... I cut her bangs the other day and they're cute.

The End.

xoxo

Quick Thought...*

2009-11-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS Go Cougars!! Holy War= OVER. (Until next season, that is.) I love me some Cougars.

...Until next week when I hate them @ the USU v. BYU Basketball Game. But that's a whollllle 'nother story.

For What It's Worth...*

2009-11-17T13:17:00.040-07:00

Mood: Pensive.
I've had a lot on my mind this week, lots of random thoughts... Frankly, sort of spastic. Most of it without consequence at all, but also lots about things that'll actually amount to something at some point in my life or the lives of others. I apologize in advance, I know this might get kind of lengthy… all the same though, here are some casual observations about myself and otherwise:
1. I love technology. Madi recently introduced me to ‘video chatting’ over gmail. For those of you who aren’t aware, it is FANTASTIC. I’ve been talking to my family almost every day over it. I suggest it for anyone and everyone.
2. MLIA changes lives… I’m sure of it. www.mylifeisaverage.com.
3. Facilitating DE is better than “Thank you for calling Comcast, how can I help you?”.
4. Everyone should stop trying to be original and realize its okay to conform sometimes.
5. Christmas wish list: Waterproof socks, waterproof boots, warrrrmmm hoodies, a new silver casing for the ball on my beloved Blackberry, and time with my family!!
6. I really respect people who have a doctorate degree… doesn’t matter in what… and I think you should too. I guess I’ve learned as of late that one of the things I value more than anything else in this world is knowledge… even if that’s not always apparent in my actions if it’s based off of my ‘study skills’. The human body is an absolutely fascinating thing, and I think there are very very few people in this world who don’t underestimate themselves. One of my friend’s facebook ‘about me’ section says “Life Goes by so fast! Last year I wouldn't believe where I am today, and yesterday I wouldn't believe where I'll be tomorrow!"… and I think we’d all do well to remember that more often. I think that people who have become interested enough about something to pursue it to that extent really have discovered in life something that God truly did intend for us, and that is passion of/for something other than ourselves.
7. “And I’m friends with lots of big fisher…people.” -Biskupski
8. I’ve acclimated. Bronchitis this year? HECK NO. Being sick allll semester? Uhhh uh!
9. Logan is COLD, and it’s not a place where one should adorn themselves with pink tights and spandex.
I really love it here but waking up from a restful sleep only to traverse a large mountain (not really, but at 8:15am it seems like it…) might as well be purgatory. To add to the nearly grotesque station, every Tuesday and Thursday we (Natta and I) hike up said mountain to the HPER building for our ballet class, which is obviously where the ‘pink tights and spandex’ comes in. Needless to say, trying our darndest to act somewhat human while doing our chaîné turns and frappés is a daunting task. So much for Natalie’s New Year’s Resolution to “become a ballerina”. Which leads to my next observation…
10. New Years Resolutions. As I recall, I made one… it was to “Do Something Different”. You may notice that the title of my blog is “Doing Something Different”. No, this blog isn’t my way of fulfilling my New Year’s Resolution, at least not intentionally. I do however, think it’s an important thing to explain the title of my blog, for the satiation of anyone who should come across it and chance to judge it’s title. The 5-step bulleted version of the meaning of the phrase goes as follows:
1. Kirsten in a bigggg hurry to get to work one day.
2. She runs to get on the bus up to campus to save herself the hike up the mountain to get there.
3. She sits on the bus, and notices that it looks different than the shuttles she’s used to being on, but is so flustered and worried about being to work that she doesn’t think twice about it.
4. She finally takes a few deep breaths and realizes that she’s on a city bus, not a campus shuttle… just as the driver is closing the door to head downtown to who-knows-where.
5. She jumps up, grabs the bus driver around the arm, and in a fashion no less exaggerated than that of an old time movie, exclaims to him that “I NEED TO DO SOMETHING…...DIFFERENT…!!!”. THe driver opens the door and Kirsten stumbles out of the bus, never to return again.
…. Because naturally, nothing actually coherent ever comes out of my mouth in stressful situations.
11. I’m SO grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I won’t explain this too much, but I will say that lately I’ve been trying harder than before to recognize this incredible act as something real and true and pinnacle in the lives of everyone, and not just as an abstract concept that sometimes leads to a shaded thought about why I should do better. Without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I would be nothing!
12. Antidisestablishmentarianism (listen to , ): is a political position that originated in nineteenth-century Britain, in opposition to proposals to remove the Church of England's status as the state church of Ireland and Wales.
13. I’m not looking forward to being half-way up the hill in a few months. Yepppp…January 4th, 2010 is right around the bend… I’ll no longer be a teenager… I’ll be half-way up the hill… gag me, someone…
14. I hate technology. I’m pretty sure I was sabatoged in to giving Kevin my phone till Thanksgiving. Touch screen phones are crappy… I can’t wait to have my cute Red Blackberry back…
15. I loved President Uchtdorf’s recent CES broadcast talk. I’ve read it and watched it probably 4 times now… I think everyone can glean something from it, no matter what situation in life you might find yourself in. The Church is SO True. …Where would I be without it? I don’t even want to know.
16. No one really cares about high school, except for the people who do care about it. You know who you are… You graduated in ’08 and really, honey, it’s time to move on with your life.
17. Without my friends, I’d shrivel up and die. Case and point: Frufus, Dumble-doors, “there’s a pea growing in there!!”, “call me a grape”, potstickers, brownies, and “my name is Nathaniel, I like to dance!!”
18. Coco is getting so pretty. Seriously, SOOO pretty. Mom and Dad, watch out…
19. Sweetly Divine is amazing. 1309 N Main, Suite 90 Logan, UT. Phone: (435) 787-1860. Hit it up.
20. The Legislative Session will be missing me this year… or at least I will be missing it. And finally...
21. Someday, I'm going to be absolutely, positively in love with someone, and they're going to love me back. And then we'll get married, if everything else about it is right (like if they can THINK...), or close to it. I want to be in love with someone's mind, and spirit, and body... all in the same person. Possible? Yes. Probable? Mmmm, we'll see. ;) But, that's probably not going to happen for a while so I don't need to stress about it in the slightest. And actually, I'm not. Right now is my time to be somewhat selvish and focus on who I am going to be when I grow up. Stupid Utah society.

xoxo

Stuffing Busses & Stealing Couches... THIS is living the dream.

2009-11-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

So... There're these boys, right? They live at Kampus Korner... number 3... bottom floor. And their couches are SOOO much nicer than ours and SOOO much more comfortable. Naturally, we (Shannon, Madi, Natta, Cass and I) resolved to steal them. It was a tricky switch that involved begging some random kids who were walking down the road to help us, but we did it. Apartment 20: New, Pretty, Brown Couches? Check. Apartment 3: Old, Yucky, Green Couches w/ something that must be mold...? Check. It was fantastic and definitely very James Bond of us since it's nearly impossible to find a time when alllllll of those boys are gone. We got to take in our glorious swap-out for about a half an hour before we were held hostage in our own apartment and nothing less than forced (and I mean FORCED... scraped knuckles, bruised noses, etc...) to give them back. All of this caused for one intense evening, but if I do say so myself, we put up a GREAT fight.

Other events as of late... STUFF~A~BUS! Britter Critter Ingalls might be one of the most amazing people I know! Every year Utah State puts on the Stuff A Bus program where volunteers take the school's shuttles around the valley and ask for non-parishable food donations for families in need over the holiday season. Last night I got the chance to be a bus leader and take a group of students to the west side of town to collect food. That was AWESOME. It's so cool to see so many (literally hundreds) of volunteers who truly just want to help out! I think the best part was helping to organize and weigh the food we'd collected between the 5 buses at the Cache Valley Food Pantry after the main activity was over. There were about ten of us left (Where's Waldo hats and all!) and we were so lucky to take part in organizing the food at the pantry. It was truly touching to see all that had been collected. I don't think any of the volunteers really realize what a HUGE difference giving just a few hours of service makes to SO many people. Definite props to Britt Ingalls for heading all of this up this year... it's a big responsibility but she is so on top of it and continues to handle it with class. :) I learned that having a 'Give Some' attitude is so rewarding... I'm so grateful to live in a place like this! :)

xoxo

Happiness IS...*

2009-11-05T11:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was at Lee's getting my fresh mozzarella cheese (+ Wheat Thins + salsa= my new favorite indulgence!)
My eye caught a very old, very wrinkly old man in a perfectly pressed suit over by the flowers. He had a HUGE smile on his face... grinning from ear to ear in every sense of the term. He was carefully examining what seemed like close to every single bouquet of flowers... touching them, smelling them, and looking at them. He finally made his decision... a perfect little grouping of white and yellow daisies, and he proceeded to pick out a card to go with the flowers... STILL grinning from ear to ear. He went to the checkout stand, purchased the flowers, and walked out the door, head held high and obviously very excited to go bestow his gift on some unsuspecting someone somewhere.
That's about when I realized that I'd been standing in the same place for about 5 minutes watching him.Point being, however, how DANG CUTE of him that was. I was excited that he was excited! Strangest thing for me to notice I know, but still so so sweet of that man.
It's made me think a lot about little things that people do for me allllll the time that often go unconsidered... like when roommates give me rides places because I'm going to be late if I walk, or when a certain sweetheart boy leaves my favorite raspberry lemonade in my refrigerator for no reason at all. Even the littlest things like when people on campus hold doors open for other people or help pick something up that another has dropped. I guess I'm just grateful to live in a place where these little things happen... and in a weird way, I'm grateful to be grateful for it. :)
Happiness IS that sweet old man! :) Chivalry is not dead! :)

Halloween..*

2009-11-03T10:59:00.002-07:00

Halloween this year was pretty awesome. Every year, Utah State hosts a HUGE Halloween party called The Howl. People come from all over the state to pack in to the Taggart Student Center on campus and participate in the various activities the school has set up. At $10 a pop per student and up to $20 for non-students, I'll bet ya this is a big money maker for the school as thousands of people attended. One of the best parts for me was looking around at all of the different costumes... people are SO creative!! Kevin and all of his friends from Snow College came up for it... they all dressed as soccer players. My all-time favorite costumes were worn by Shannon and Cassidy... They were pregnant BYU students with 'screw the honor code' ironed on to their shirts... SO FUNNY TO ME. Shon ended up as a mime and absolutely refused to speak for the first 40 minutes or so that we were there. He caved when we ran in to one of his old mission companions who he hadn't seen in a while, but the second they were done talking, he returned to his usual mute self and lasted for quite a while. Props to him for that... kinda. :) The theme of this year's Howl was Unhinged Reality, based off of the new Alice in Wonderland movie that's out. Hillary did an AMAZING job as Alice and Natta did a great job as a card... they both scared the jeebies outta me. I dressed up as... I'm not really sure what I was... something that died. And was bloody. It was really cool though. Kade did my makeup and helped me run over my shirt with my Munchie Car. He also hooked me up with some sweet contacts that made my eyes white and creepy... they really made the costume. Good showing all in all, the best part though was taking off all my gross makeup at the end of the night. :)

Rexburg...*

2009-10-30T11:16:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago, HillBenn and I went to Rexburg, Idaho to get away from Logan and go visit Katie Marsh. What is it about running away from your problems that is SO refreshing sometimes?

It was fall break and no one was there anyway, so on Friday evening we took off.

It was a greattttttt weekend.

We went to a genuine BYU-I football game... it more than slightly resembled a PG football game...Natta and I later resolved to join the team, since anyone who wants can play.

After the game we explored campus. Took about... 9.7 minutes. Beautiful though. :)

Then we went to Texas Roadhouse... this is my shoutout for the Sirloin Tips Country dinner. SOOO GOOD..

Afterward, we went to an awesome show called Guitars Unplugged... apparently it's a really big deal there... haha.

BYU-I=VERRRY different from any school you've been to. Not for me, but it was so fun.

Anyway, thanks for letting us come up Katie. :)

A rough sketch...*

2009-10-29T21:52:00.004-06:00

I've slightly lost my enthusiasm for this blog already... which is pretty crazy since I only set it up about a week ago and haven't done a thing with it yet.

Lucky for me, I have great friends who encourage me to... do something with my life...was it? Anyway, I'm pretty expert as far as blog-stalkers go, namely Madi's and Cassidy's... And I really like reading what's going on with people.... I guess I can say that I aspire to someday be the kind of person who has a life worth blogging about. :)

Not that life right now isn't GREAT... because it really really is. This blog isn't going to be based on any one thing... politics or life happenings or the church or anything like that... it's just a fun first whack at this stuff.

Someday when I head an organization that travels around showing college students why it's important to have at least a vague understanding of how politics apply to them, maybe I'll have a blog that substantative--more on that later though.

For now, a rough sketch of me. :) I'm Kirsten.

As far as I know, my parents named me after my dad's ex-girlfriend... the one he dated right before my mom. Don't ask why, I like the name though. I've been told that it suits me. :)

This is my family.

Alltogether, we're slightly dysfunctional, but only in the very best ways. :)

I'm an Aggie, just rounding out the first semester of my Sophomore year. I LOVE it. Logan=amazing. I'm majoring in Political Science so far... but who knows if I'll stick to that?

My roommates and besties are AMAZING people. If we had to think of one word to describe ourselves we'd say...

Me: SPASTIC.

Natta: Larvae...

Shannon: S.N.I.F.F.... she's still trying to come up with the acronym for that...

Madi: Tack-o...or taco. Can't make it out.

Like I said... SPASTIC.

"These... are my friends...!"

Other random but important Kirstenisms to finish off the first official post...

I frequently have VERY blonde moments. But I'm starting to realize that has more to do with the way I think than the actual color of my hair.

I'm very Republican, and I'm even more LDS than I am Republican.

I will ALWAYS be a Grovecrest Grizzly.

And also a Pleasant Grove Viking.

Home will always be Pleasant Grove, Utah.

And I will always be a baby bit of a bandwagon hopper... And it's not just because I'm a 19 year old girl. :) ...I heart Miley, Justin, Britany, HSM, Mean Girls, Audrey Hepburn, Chase Clyde, Glen Beck, Thomas Jefferson, etc... And if you don't agree, I'll ask that you kindly get over that. :)

xoxo

"Excuse me, I need to do...something...different..."

2009-10-22T10:43:00.000-06:00

Testing Testing, One, Two, Three.