It's okay to people watch at the Airport

Airports never stop amusing me. I love them because they get me home in a decent amount of time and it is probably one of the most entertaining things I do all week. I don't mind traveling alone in them at all but they are much more entertaining with a sidekick. But anyways..

Why I love airports:

-People watching. From observing to what people choose to wear on the plane to what people are talking about is hilarious. It boggles my mind when people wear HEELS on the plane. WHY? Also, I love when people get home from a vacation in mexico or something in the bright orange flowery button up shirts with cornrows and a very dark tan-- don't get me wrong, I HAVE DONE IT-- it feels great to show off to people (yes, you know people are looking at you with jealousy) thinking.. yes I did just get home from a hot AWESOME vacation in the sun.. why would I wear a jacket when it is 10 degrees outside???

I personally do my best people watching with my tunes plugged in as I slide past on the moving walk... I always have the LONGEST layovers.. so I take my time.. sit in the food court and just stare.. don't you dare judge me.. you do it too.

-Cinnabon. Nothing like getting a couple days worth of calories in one delicious hot cinnamon roll.. mmmmm. I have never seen a Cinnabon outside of the airport.. I always have to wait until I get there.. but I guess that is a good thing.

-Security. Nothing like getting frisked because I chose to wear the baggy sweats pants today.. and yes.. it was by an old lady.

-Reunions.. I seriously wanna cry when I see friends/families reunite. They run and hug and cry and laugh. Ahhh it's precious.

-Sleeping. Traveling is exhausting and I don't know about you.. but I can usually find myself able to fall asleep in any position on a plane or in a chair at the airport. I have even passed out on the floor at a gate a couple times. Its great that I can sleep.. but the worst part is waking up with half of my body dead. ALSO when other people fall asleep.... lots of people sleep with their mouths open...haha.

ahh flying is great. I recommend it.

A little late.. but still very grateful.

One of the best Holidays, Thanksgiving, just passed. I have been too crazy to sit down and blog.. so I apologize for this late post. It has been a good month since I updated last.. but a lot has happened! Here are a list of a few recent things that I am grateful for..

1. The AMAZING people in my life. Last month I celebrated my day of birth. I had no big plans because I just didn't have the time to plan something and I just didn't have the energy to do it. My plan for my big 2-0 was to go to dinner with my roommies and just have my close friends over for cake. The weekend before my monday birthday, I spent it with my lovely sister in C.C.. We actually went down to Vegas to catch some warm rays and do a little shopping. I drove back up north Sunday night and walked into a very dark and quite house.. My mind was boggled as I wondering where my lovely roommates could be and wondering why they weren't welcoming me home. A couple seconds went by and about 20 people jumped out at me and screamed HAPPY BIRTHDAY :) It was the perfect night. I hung out with everyone for a couple hours and ate all my favorite goodies-- cinnamon rolls, cheese and cupcake cones. My two favorite boys even came up from Provo to visit just for the night. The next day I just spent it with my roommies and Court and went got some delicious Olive Garden. Each year just gets better and better. ALSO the best part of birthdays is that I get to catch up with old friends from home.

ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI in Vegas :) THE BEST

My Provo Lovers

2. Snow!! It is a beautiful winter wonderland already. Nothing is better than mittens, hats, sleds, hot chocolate with marshmallows and snowboards.

3. Break. Thanksgiving was exactly what I needed. Spending time in Salt Lake is always a good time, especially with the sisters. We even went bowling with some friends. My family and I did a lot of eating, shopping and movie watching.

4. Family <3 I love when they come visit.

The family minus Jake and Ian

5. School! I LOVE USU more than anything. If I'm having the worst day, I can just walk around campus and it makes everything seem alright.

6. My Lovely roomies. Even though I usually don't spend time with them until midnight, they make everyday ten times better.

7. Music. Nothing like a good Holiday Christmas playlist to get through my day or even an Enya playlist to help clear my mind. It keeps me sane.

8. Food/Cooking/Eating. Need I say more? Thanksgiving-- is the perfect time for stuffing the face. Mmm but boy I was sleepy after that turkey.

9. Dance classes-- I have missed dancing SO much! After cheer started in high school I just quit dancing. I forgot how much fun it is. My "jazz" class that I'm taking is exactly jazz... let's just say I'm becoming a pretty darn good exotic dancer. The teacher was actually talking about bringing out poles to dance with.. oh boy. it's a hoot.

10. The Christmas season! Ahh everything is better this time of year. AND Christmas Break is only 11 days away!! And I get to see everyone from home including this lovely five year old.. My heart hurts when I'm away from her..

11. The Gospel. My life wouldn't be this great without it. I thank the Lord everyday for all the blessings in my life.

Until next time..

Em

rocket summer= my stress relief

Life has been crazy and hectic lately and the only way to keep me sane is do something ridiculous on the weekend. Two weekends ago was Halloween! Linds came up with her best friend and we just partied all weekend. My roommies and I threw a halloween party on the friday then we went to the Howl on Saturday. I think I slept an average of 5 hours each night? But it was worth it every minute.

This past weekend I went down to slc and saw the Rocket Summer with some amazing people. I am never let down when I see Bryce Avery. It is absolute insanity in the crowd. We all went to Village Inn after and got pie.

You know your weekend is good when you lose your voice. It's been two days and I still can't talk.

Man, life is good. Words don't do it justice, pictures are much better.

We love each other a little too much

Wayne and Garth 

                             

The coolest people in Logan

Drunk Pumpkin, Mean/Hungry Pumpkin, Sick Pumpkin and Cat :)

Ragin

                                

Don't let stress and school keep you from having a good time. Life is too wonderful to be stressed all the time. Don't let it pass you by. 

Berries and Cream!!

I can't get enough of this little man. He brightens my day... everyday..

Best video ever.

Cooking=Therapy

It doesn't matter what day it is, cooking always makes me feel better. I cook when I need to clear my head, I cook when I am lonely and I cook when I am so excited I can't sit still. Nothing is better than eating something from scratch after slaving over it for an hour.. even if it tastes horrible. I have made a personal goal this past week to make something completely new every week. Tonight, I did just that. I got it from Rachel Ray and I think you should give this recipe a try.. I rate it a A- !!

Ham and Cheese Mini Frittatas (like quish with no crust)

Ingredients

• 1/4 pound deli sliced Swiss cheese, finely chopped
• 6 slices of Ham, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons snipped or chopped chives
• A few grinds black pepper
• 8 eggs, or 1 pint egg beaters
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Mix together the chopped cheese, Ham, and chives and season with a few grinds of pepper. In a bowl, beat the eggs. Brush the muffin tins with melted butter. Using a teaspoon, fill the 24 mini-muffin cups halfway with the cheese mixture. Using a ladle, fill the cups to just below the edge with the beaten eggs. Bake until golden, about 12 minutes. Remove and let cool to handle, then arrange the egg bites on a plate and serve.

It's better than it looks. Trust me. 

Busy Bee

ahhhhhh.. after cramming for the past week for my Biochemistry test.. I finally have a time to take a breath and relax. I decided to start my [short] break off by blogging. This past week has been full of many hours studying at the Library. It strangely felt like finals week .. but I was tricked. It's only the fourth week of school.

I need to be kept busy. If I have any down time, I feel as though I am accomplishing nothing and I go crazy. I think that is why my major is perfect for me. When I'm not studying I try to find other things to keep me occupied. When I drove out my parents burb to school, my dad was really excited that it was large enough to fit a lawn mower. So, this past saturday, I set aside my high-maintenance  girly-side, filled up a tank of gas, put in my headphones and mowed the lawn. I personally think it looks pretty darn good. 

My roommates and I felt really crafty at the beginning of the year. We decided it would be best to get all our crafty-feelings out before we got buried in homework. Last year I found a ghetto step stool, in the basement, that I wanted to refurbish! I finally got around to painted it and I even sewed a cushion (which took me like 2 hours-- but it didn't turn out that bad-- thanks mom!) !!! 

Before

Almost Done

After

Being busy is a good thing. After a long day of running around and lots of craziness, I feel happy and productive. I like to say to myself, "Phew, I got a lot done today." Then I sleep just enough hours to get me through the next crazy day.. which is usually <7... but I'll sleep with I'm dead so it's all good. 

Fun

This is what I do for fun. I have fun AND I learn.

Play me!

Dance

This semester I am taking TWO dance classes!! I have Jazz two days a week and African Dance once a week. BEST DECISION THIS SEMESTER! I completely forgot how much fun a dance class is. It's a little rough trying to get back into Jazz .. but I'm slowly improving. My African Dance Class... oh my goodness. I seriously am considering bringing in a video camera to show everyone what it's like. It is probably the greatest class on campus. No joke. Straight up Hippies come in and play live music the whole 2 hours. The teacher brings in wrap-around skirts for everyone. I have never moved my body in this way in my whole life. Writing this post right now is making me so excited for next Tuesday. So, if you are currently at USU, do yourself a favor and take African Dance Class next semester. You won't regret it. WATCH ME

Bear Lake

Yesterday on my day off I went up to Bear Lake for a couple hours with some amazing people. Even though it was 57 degrees, some of us still went swimming! Nothing compares to Lake swimming!! It's clean, refreshing and always a bit nippley. I kind of felt like I was home in Lake Superior.. except when I opened my eyes and looked.. Mountains were all around me. Which is better.. miles and miles of water or Mountains.. I'm still deciding.

New beginnings

My summer was excellent. I was able to step into the medical world for 3 months. I learned so much even though I just hung out with the elderly forty hours a week. They taught me all about life. I learned how to care for someone,  to be there for someone who has no one, cook, and clean. They taught me compassion and love. They taught me how to appreciate the simplest things in life everyone takes for granted. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to help better the lives of around thirty different individuals. Even though I was hired to help them, they too helped me in return.

Along with work I got to spend lots of time with my family. Jessica is seriously my [other half]. I only wish she was 4 years older so she could go to college with me. Hmm oh well.

Greatest accomplishment of the summer: Jessica and I learned how to do a double cartwheel!... we almost mastered the double back walker..

School is back in session. Every year is different: new roomies, new classes and new friends. I have such an amazing feeling that year is going to exceed my expectations. My personal goal this year is to master time management. I'm going to get more involved and open my social circle while keeping up with my classes. I seriously don't know how I'm going to do it.. but just wait.. it'll happen.. maybe.

I know this year is going to be good because I started it off by meeting the sexiest man alive-- John Mayer.

Well, wish me good luck as I plunge into my junior year of college. It's gonna be the best one yet.

Ryleigh!

i love this girl so much! hahah.. i hope you find this as funny as I do.

MQT

I have now been home longer than any other visit home in the past two years. It feels weird. . I always have to readjust myself to not living in the "bubble" anymore. But every single visit home is just another reminder of how much I really love this town...

1. The weather here is absolutely perfect in the summer time (usually) -- the "hot" days are mid 80s -- perfect.

2. There are 100 times more things to do in the summer than any other season.. for example a) rollerblading b) biking c) swimming d) hiking (nothing like hiking in utah but it is nice in it's own special way) and e) long boarding etc etc...

3. Founder's landing-- yes this gets it's own number because it will never stop being my favorite spot in town. It has one of the best views and when I sit there, it just brings me so much peace. All the construction in town makes me drive by it multiple times in my day-- probably the highlight of my day.

4. My home ward. I love it. I feel soooo comfortable all the time. Everyone is so friendly and just like a family. It makes me SO happy. Aww and the kids are adorable. I am privileged to be in the primary all summer long with the cute little angels. I have been in the nursery the past month, but I think I get to start teaching a class soon. The nursery is so fun, I play with toys, eat crackers and sing for 2 hours... what is better than that?

5. Not only do i get to experience my mother's delicious cooking daily, I get food from all the yummy places here. mmmm I think I have had Border grill once a week since I have been back-- it's my Michigan's Cafe Rio.

6. My bestest friends. Do i need to say anything else?

7. My family.

8. mmmmm I love how I live in a forest. I love trees. I love the darkness. Nothing beats the stars at night.

9. My HOUSE! Everything, including the broken front door that swings open all the time, makes me happy... but I guess it should because after all it is home..

Home will never be how it used to be, but thats what happens over time I guess. I like to tell myself that change IS good. It keeps life EXCITING and UNPREDICTABLE. Nevertheless, I will never stop loving marquette.

founder's landing.

Death week

Well, after much hard work.. I have made it through another finals week. I thought it would be interesting to actually calculate the number of hours spent in my second home-- The Library. Everyone hold on to there chair-- its a shock...

The past 11 days I have spent a disgusting 80 HOURS in the library... studying.

But hey, it's over.

Happy Summer :)

E

The Gym

My awesome roomie, Lydia, is a personal trainer. She is 6'4" and RIPPED. This past week she started to teach me how to LIFT WEIGHTS! This past Tuesday morning was my first time... ever in my entire life(this seriously). I walked out of the gym more sore than I have ever been in my ENTIRE LIFE. I have waddled all over campus the past 2 days.. and yes I went again today... bad idea?... lets hope not.

Going to the gym just to run and then going just to lift weights is a whole different experience. People treat you differently! I also think it is so weird and creepy how guys life weights. They grunt and moan and make such weird abnormal noises. I really don't think they understand that there are other people around.

The best part of this new experience is all the new things I have learned. I now know the difference between a bicep curl and a hammer curl. I know the difference between static and dynamic stretching. I know the correct "athletic" stance. Hips out and open. Slightly bent knees. Feet shoulder width apart. Back Straight. I realized I can do 8 pull-ups in a row (with a little help from Lydia) and I can lift a total of 30 pounds ten times in a row!!

Good thing I had 4 years of lifting girls to prepare me... and trust me.. that is much more difficult.

E

Cravings

I have been craving so many things lately!!

1. Magic Brownie Ice Cream

2. Warmth

3. The new-fling feeling

4. Asiago bagel from the quad side cafe

5. Lake Superior

6. My sisters

7. Ian

8. The feeling of having absolutely nothing to do

9. Hot tub

10. New TV show all-day marathon

11. My egg cheese bagel sandwich

12. A good laugh

13. Summer

E

New Blog!

Hello-

Well since I have given up facebook for lent.. the only way for me to communicate publicly through the internet is.. blogging! Right now I am sitting in the stairway of some random hotel 20 minutes north of Vegas. My mom, Lindsay and Grandma are all passed out.. before midnight. I can't sleep so here I am! I have had such a great past week. Vegas is a must-see city! I went on a roller coaster, did lots of shopping, saw the show Cirque du Soleil LOVE, laid out by the pool and got real burnt, went to a zoo and saw tigers and dolphins and ate more than I have all year. The show was FABULOUS! I have never seen anything like it. I don't even know the words to describe it haha but it is really good. Only 3 more days until I have to go back to reality... school.. It has been such a good break. I do not want to go back. Spring Break is good and bad.. Its a nice break but at the same time you loose the focus you had before break. Its like starting the semester all over again.. but harder classes ha. But I am ready to finish this semester! I will just have to live up the next 3 days!!

E