Invictus

G and I went to see Avatar and it was sold out so we got to see Invictus which I wanted to see in the first. It's such an inspiring story. Nelson Mandela tries to unite the apartheid-torn land by trying to get the ruby team to with the Rugby World Cup in 1995. I did a little research on Nelson Mandela and he was such an incredible bold guy. He was the first to be elected as President in South Africa in a fully democratic election. He served 27 years in prison and came out and forgave his people and brought them together. I have a new respect for Rugby players because my goodness it looks like such a rough sport. My respect for Matt Damon as an actor has also increased because he's always amazing and he played his roll very well and was soo hot in this movie.

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

-William Ernest Henley

This poem inspires me to be bold and courageous. It inspires me to make my own choices and determine my own destiny. I realize that we can make a difference and rise above whatever is bringing us down but we must choose to act and move on and endure to the end no matter the challenge that has been placed before me.

Elder Read

He did it! Austin is back in the mission field. When my mom was talking with Elder Holland he was saying the chances of Elders who come home early and return into the mission field are very slim so I'm so proud of him. I know what he did was a hard thing but the right thing. It took me a while to accept everything, but I know that the Lord has blessed him because he is the happiest he has ever been right now. I'm grateful he has a testimony and that he wants to be a missionary. He has only been out a few weeks and in his 2nd week he was made the senior companion. Go Elder!

Cafe Rio

Cafe Rio is one of my favorite places in Provo. I could eat there everyday. Cheese Quesadilla, Steak Quesadilla, Pork Burrito Enchilada Style, Chips and Salsa, Guacamole, Sour Cream. I get so full always but I keep eating because it's so good. No wonder I've gained 10 lbs.

Mold

Phoebe and I were cleaning before Christmas break and this is what we found while rolling up our carpet. Disgusting. I hear an ahHhHhHhH coming from Phoebe and then I start screaming and Hannah comes running in. It was a big black fuzzy furry nasty type of mold beneath our leaking refrigerator. We got our RA Hannah Pinson to come help us but she said we had to wait till maitenence could clean it up because of health hazards. Disgusting. They came the next day and got rid of the thing, but there are still some marks on the carpet that I am determined to get out. Yuck.

One Tree Hill

I have watched all 6 seasons of One Tree Hill and recently the 7th season. I have to marry someone like Nathan Scott. He is gorgeous, built, loyal, funny, hard worker, athletic, so in love, sweet, and a great husband and dad. I want to be someone like Hayley because she is so confident and sure of herself. She was the nerd that the jock fell in love with and I think it's so romantic. She is a loyal and reliable friend and she knows what she wants and she gets it and I admire that about her.

Chocolate Covered Almonds

Phoebe and I have a slight obsession with these. They are a rarity though because the best ones are from Costco. We have them at the creamery though and I tend to get them a lot. Not good for our figure, but wonders for everything else.

Finals

I had six finals. American Heritage, Book of Mormon, Biology, U101, Human Development, and Music101 and I HATED them all. Stressed me out like no other. So glad I'm done with that.

Emo

Travis, Jbray, and I all went to the Redjumpsuit Apparatus concert with Hawthorne Heights, Secondhand Serenade, and some other weird band. Leave it to them-esp. Travis for this kind of stuff. I didn't know most of the songs, but I went for Redjumpsuit and to listen to Facedown. When something is bothering me I listen to Facedown over and over again and the more times I listen to it the better I begin to feel. I also loved Ohio is for Lovers by Hawthorne.

Biology

My biology teacher is crazy and engaging and that is why he's one of my favorite teachers. Anddddd Steve G. is my TA which makes it a ton better.We went to the bean museum for lab and Mike and I came across this ugly rodent and a Liger.

The Hills

Jeremy and I are obsessed with the Hills. He is currently watching the OC which I want to get from him, but he's into these kinds of shows and it makes me laugh. He knows more about the Hills than I do. We go on the Hills tangents and can go on forever. I remember we were at Habatchi with Mike and Garrison and Jbray and I went on forever about this show and the secrets and the cast and events and the other boys were getting really annoyed. Anyway, I want to be all of the cast members. It kind of makes me depressed because they live such interesting lives and are all gorgeous people which I am not. LC is smart, beautiful, loyal, confident, everyone likes her, and is the most logical and normal of all her friends. Audrina is gorgeous and has a spontaneous and wild side to her and a thing for the "bad guys" which I like about her. Heidi is fake as fake can get but she is gorgeous I think and ha an amazing body, skin, and hair and she's stunning. Kristin is annoying but confident, determined and gorgeous. Probably not great role models but I always think...if only I could be like them!

Videochat

Videochat is so great because I can stay in touch with my friends that way. It is also great because the boys showed my parents how to do it and we video chat sometimes. It makes me miss home a lot but I love it and I know they love it. It's funny to listen to them and it's even funnier when we play around with the videochat itself. My mom, g, and I were dying one night because of all our funny faces.

Temple

One night we all headed up to Temple Square to see the lights. It was like -1938 degrees freezing, but the lights were incredible and I felt a very sweet sprit being on the temple grounds. It was kind of weird but I had this really strong feeling about how grateful I am that I am worthy to be married in the temple and I can't wait for that day...in a few years.

Jeremyy

Jeremy got called to the Taichung, Taiwan mission!! We all gathered around to watch him open it and he was so excited-I don't think I've seen him so excited and anxious before. I'm so happy for him obviously, but it was hard to say goodbye to my best friend. It sucks. I am going to miss him a lot and it's going to be different without him around, but I'm thankful for his choices that he can go on a mission and I'm so excited for him to learn the language and be in Taiwan. It's perfect for him and he will be an amazing strong missionary.

The Real Game

Scored 1 point in overtime....woww...

President Checketts gave Nate a bunch of free tickets so we all went. Nate, Grant, Madison, Matt, and I drove up and Phoebe, Tyler, and Tanner followed us along with Jannae and her girlfriends, and Jeremy and Mike met us there. I thought it was going to be so much fun, but I was reminded how boring soccer really is when nobody scored till the last 2 minutes of the game which was 90 minutes. The boys were very fast and in shape and had a lot of skill, but the best part of the game I thought was halftime and nachos. Some of us went to Gateway after while others went to dinner nearby and home. We ate at Crown Burger which is a little bit of heaven on earth and then cruised around the stores in Gateway for a bit.

Dances

There are so many dance parties in Provo. I sometimes think I am sick of the dances, but when I get there they are boss and they are soo worth going.

Tucanos!!

It was Phoebes bday...notttt...but we got a free dessert!

My friends and I love this place- $30 of all you can eat meat. A little expensive? Yes, but SOO good.

Thanksgiving

It was SO nice to be home finally! I am so greatful for my house, my moms cooking, my "big" room, my dogs, my family, my backyard, my friends, sushi25, my ward family, my cute little town, the windy roads, the trees and scenery, NYC, and everything about New Canaan. We went to NYC as a family to see the balloons and to eat dessert at Cafe Lalo. We went to the Turkey bowl and NC won again against Darien. It was so fun to see friends!!!!!! and be back in the bleachers like it was last year and nothing has changed. The Blairs, Angers, Edwards, Sheena and Brian, and Cleo came over for Thanksgiving and it was so nice to be with them. Dad and I went shopping at Westchester on Black Friday which probably was a sight. Even if I was only home for a few days it was so nice to be back and it made me realize how blessed I am.

Breakthrough

Ari and I were listening to Colbie and her new CD for a few weeks and then we found out she was having a concert and we quickly got tickets the night before and went the next day with Hannah and Hannah. We were so excited!! She was playing in the venue in SLC and we got to be up so close to the stage. Colbie was so down to earth and her music incredible. I have a big obsession with her new cd Breakthrough. I first got addicted because a certain someone sent me Bubbly and Oxygen and then the whole cd. She just speaks to me and I love love love her.

"So go on, go on and break my heart

I'll be okay

There's nothing you can do to me

That's ever going to burn me

So go on, go on and leave my love

out on the street

I'm fearless

Better believe I'm fearless, fearless"

Halloween