kindred Spirit

reunions and goodbyes

2012-01-25T23:19:00.000-08:00

The past couple of weeks I've been able to get together with some of my favoritest ladies in this world to reunite, and to say goodbye for quite a while. I dont want to get all sentimental on you guys, so i'm just going to recap moments here and there with some crazy photos... that basically explain a lot about these women in my life.

Firstly, my girl Kaitlyn Sprouse is serving a mission in Frankfurt, Germany, so I headed down to Vernal for her farewell a few weeks ago. Me and Kaitl, NEVER have a dull moment together. She's an incredible example to me, and i'm going to miss her alot.

Mainly, I go through my day to day life at Utah State, and there is some event or moment in the day that makes me want to text her and laugh with her over something. From our obsession of Dr. Pepper, to laughing at our art history teachers butt being eaten by her underwear. I am truly blessed by her presence in my life.

Kacee, Kaitl, Me, and Kora. (K cubed) These are the gals that we hung out with the whole weekend. Kacee and I carpooled there, and everytime we hang out, we regret the fact that we dont hang out more. So, our friendship flourished.

tons of laughs and weirdo dinosaur jokes... all thanks to being in Vernal. awesome place.

we really couldnt say goodbye.


AAAAANNNNNNDDDD then, best photo of the weekend. I dont expect you guys to understand. But this explains our friendship. Take that home.. chew it. Thank you Universe and fate for allowing us to take the same 3D design class freshy year. I haven't been the same person since:D

THEN, this week Natalie Sarg. came up before she goes on her mission to Vina Del Mar, Chile. Lucky woman! Me and Nat lived together last year in the Rickity and instantly bonded over our love for the desert. Shes always a perfect example. motivated, intelligent, works out etc. Not to mention keeps our friendship fresh by keeping in contact. I LOVE that about her.

Also Ryleigh my other old roommate came up as well. She lived with us last semester, and our place hasnt been the same without her spunk and charisma. It felt so right having these fine ladies back in my life for a day.

half of the rickity together... this never happens.


Ryan Snow, and Nat (p.s. shout out to Snow: Happy birthday pumpkin!)

Gosh, I'm so blessed to have met these fine folk while living in Utah for the past 4 years. I cant believe its been that long.

And I also cant believe kaitl and Nat are serving missions, how amazing is that? They're gonna show up all those Elders and enjoy the cultures they get to experience. Jealous much? obviously.

Through looking at these photos i've also realized how little i get ready anymore. Winter does this to me.

Many rivers to cross

2012-01-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

Lately decisions seem to be way more difficult then usual. Ones that I never thought I needed to do some soul searching to execute. Ones that could affect my near future, change my zip code, and open a new chapter. I'm too much of a child i feel sometimes, but I'm NOT technically, and that scares me. Time to put my big kid pantelones on I guess. Am I done with college for good already? goodness almighty, where did the time go?

But there is this dilemma.. do i go on an incredible trip to wrap up my schooling?

or come back to Logan, for one more semester for 2 classes to finish up?

This is what I'm talking about. I know what I want. It's obvious.

I've talked to a TON of people about this dilemma, and everyone says,

"GO ON THE TRIP!! you'll never have this time again in your life to just go see the world, never be able to take work off for that long of a time. And less likely to after going through with that thing called marriage that people around this age do."

And, of course through this reason alone, I'M SOLD!! I'm extremely independent, and this could be a great way to end college with a trip for me. Is that selfish? I'm getting credit? ha

I can justify for days.

But, I'm gonna ask what you guys think.

So, what are you thoughts???

This song really knows how to hit me hard.. its so soulful and rich. woah.

Nurturing creativity

2012-01-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

I'm going to assume that no one will watch this video.

And that is fine. We watched it in our design class today and I found it to be incredibly helpful, and inspiring to put it cheesily. But I recommend you watch it. Its a talk by the author of Eat, Pray, Love. (to put it more cheesily) but honestly she is hilarious and incredibly intelligent with awesome insight.

There is a part where she talks about how when you gain an idea of any sort, creatively, that sometimes you cant run to a piece of paper quick enough to jot down the amazing idea that you want to fulfill. Other times you dont get to the paper quick enough and the idea runs away from you, almost in a literal sense, and its really difficult to rehash the essence of the original idea.

This got me thinking, how do i stay creative? How do i find an idea of something to create? It scares me when I have "writers block" one could say. How do I get it back? This is what I'm figuring out, because I get it back, but I need to pinpoint what I do to do so.

I think we've all been in the situation where we are driving, walking on campus, or simply listening to music and contemplating and we are BOOM, hit with an incredible idea, and you feel so inspired that your body consumes itself with goosebumps. You gaze aimlessly and sorta grin, because you're pumped. On top of the world. If you dont mind me saying so; it may be a comparable feeling to feeling the spirit of a higher power and having complete surety in something. gawsh i love this feeling.

The first thing I thought of when thinking how I stay creative and fresh, and gain ideas with my art was:

Participating in new things, new adventures, new surroundings....

(roadtrips/travel*, food, literature, entertainment, friends, etc.)

honestly I think thats it. I mean its obviously a broad answer, but I think we all can relate to it in one way or another.

What keeps you creative?

and seriously, watch this video, its really great.

Me and Em ringin in the new year

2012-01-07T23:29:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else find it incredibly insane to be able to say that we are living in the year 2012?

wow. I remember when getting the spice girls cassette tape was as good as it got.. in about 1995. Technology blows my mind.

I know this is a little late, but i had to share my New Years Eve activities.

Jerilyn, Emily, (new friends from utah), and I got sushi to begin the evening. and of course it was delicious as ever.

Em and I can go months without seeing eachother and it puts no dent in our friendship. We hit up an annual dance party that was pretty decent. And had quite a few mormons from the valley attend. We like to get our freak on, so we had to go for a bit at least.

we did a disturbing photoshoot at stop lights.

fav photo of the night for obvious reasons

Then we drove out to the edge of town so we could see all the fireworks in the whole valley

as well as see the ones Blake and Eldon put on

kinda looks like the buildings are on fire

lookin in a tunnel

wing women

I'd be lying if i said New Years Eve wasnt overrated at least a little. But I will tell you this much, every NYE is completely different than how i think it will. Therefore always providing a surprise in one way or another. And spending it with Emily was exactly what i needed.

Since then, i've already come back up to Logan, and took a trip to Rexburg as well. That town.. oh man, just provides so much material. ya know what i mean? Anyway, BYUI actually is a really awesome campus, and i see why people go there.

This is me when i had to say goodbye to Emily.. couldnt hold back the tears. haaaaa kidding, this is us at New Fong's (a chinese restaurant)

I really am not ready for school to start up again, but the sooner it starts the sooner summer will be here again. yes please.

Happy New Year to you and your kin

The 2011 Recap

2011-12-31T01:33:00.000-08:00

I dont think this post needs much explaining, so here's the recap of my year with just a few photos representing a ton of stuff that went down.

This was New Years Eve exactly one year ago with my best friend. That one time we got pulled over and got caught with IBC rootbeer. It was great. Kayla left on her LDS mission a year ago this week. My year without her has been hard, yet testimony building, because her passion for the work of the Lord boosts me through her weekly letters. She constantly says she LOVES being a missionary and wouldnt want to be doing anything else, and she truly loves the people that she is teaching. Would do anything for these people. She's an incredible example to me.

Obviously I lived half the year in the rickity, with amazing girls. This was a morning we woke up and made breakfast, almost all of us were there. I miss our convos on the kitchen floor.

Spring Break some of my best friends came home with me. Me and Kaitlyn bonded more, if thats even possible.

Kayde got married and i was able to be her maid of honor. Lovely weekend.

I cant deny the fact that my favorite month of the year was when I studied design in Switzerland through my University.

met incredible people from Utah State, as well as European locals that i still enjoy staying in contact with.

Saw incredible scenery that made me feel like the Sound of music

and fulfilled once in a life time adeventures.

As well as made my way to Italy for 3 short days. Which may include the best day of my life.

Although i was sad to leave Europe, I came home to my pool and bonded with pool rats, and other guards. As well as inspire my friend Sal to name his new band, The Underwater Tigers.. if they get big, remember this is me claiming the rights to being the muse for the name. thank you very much.

headed back up to Logan for my senior year.

my best guy friends also returned from their missions, along with almost all of my other guy friends. fuh-inally.

My folks decided to get an Italian exchange student, whom I ADORE.

had a beautiful Christmas with my family, (and new family; Catherina)

I'm not one to spew out all my new years resolutions, not that they're oober personal or anything, but my vague resolutions go a little something like this:

better my mind and body through good literature, company, and time to myself to indulge in things that I truly enjoy.

do art often. pieces that will suck, because a wise mind once told me that to truly become great at something, one must execute a large body of crappy work, that you know is crappy.. that frustrates you, so that one day greatness will have come through hours and hours of practice.

Be open to change. Be a risk taker, yet responsible and a realist.

There's more, obviously, but thats my little appetizer.

Welcome 2012

sup

Dude, Its Christmas Eve.

2011-12-24T23:25:00.000-08:00

It has been like every other Christmas Eve. I make that sound like its not a good thing.. but let me assure its a great thing. It goes a little like this. In-n-out. Movie. dinner. PJ's/pictures. Christmas movie before bed. Welcome to Christmas Eve with the Truman's.

It looks so much better to have 4 people, instead of just 3.

We decided to see Sherlock Holmes this Xmas eve. Jerilyn joined the festivities, we got to the theater a tid early which resulted in...

nap time...


for Mr. and Mrs. Claus. adorable.

after the fantastic movie (i highly recommend Sherlock to you all) we took a last minute shopping trip to the ~~Ghettos~~ Meadows Mall. I actually enjoyed watching people running around getting cologne or nikes for gifts for the big day. Then we enjoyed a meal with my cousins and played Just Dance 3 til we sweat off dinner.

Catherina and I got in our matching pj's and enjoyed the ambiance of a room filled with lights from a tree alone.

and topped the night off with Sleepless in Seattle. What else could you want from Christmas Eve?

Well, maybe this. Thanks to a good friend of mine, I fount out that The Killers write a Christmas song every year. They're all pretty great. So please indulge:

2010 song.. really creative. watch it.

2011 this year, humorous.

2006 I think. My fav.

I'm already feeling like I wont be able to fall asleep tonight. I'm an adult.. some things never change.

I'm blue da ba dee da ba die...

2011-12-19T16:22:00.000-08:00

Football is a funny little thing.

me and some other Aggies roadtripped up to Boise this weekend for our first Bowl game in a crap ton of years. Even tho we lost by one point in the last 30 seconds it was still semi worth it to drive up to Boise for my very first time. I love everything about 1. roadtrips 2. football games 3. meeting new people that go to Utah State, that i didnt know until this trip 4. waking up with a raspy voice from yelling the prior day. yes please.

first new friend, Dan Barello's, this kid right here is the biggest hoot to spend time with. quizzed us on songs all the way up, and its impossible not to die laughing with him at least once while with him.

Boise was alot different than i thought, but i really enjoyed it. Ive spent so much time making fun of the smurf turf, but i have to admit, its pretty incredible.

The Famous potato bowl had potatoes EVERYWHERE. They even had a mascot dressed like a potato. idaho is the only place you see this kind of spirit for a vegetable.

Dan, Beard man, and Ben

There they are.

uhhh.. yeah, im confused too.

And this is when the game started going down hill.. The kid in the background displays the same emotion. It was so painful watching the last minute of the game. I wanted to just leave and curl up and die. mk maybe not, but i was actually getting choked up like a baby. after we lost, it just turned into anger.

We hit up B-dubs after the game

.. drank our sorrows away

...while watching the review of the game. sad day. We all took a wing of the blazin hot wings to see if we could do it, and lets just say for the rest of the night, some of us had a few more bathroom breaks than normal..., became the joke that never ended for the rest of the night. the 2 apples we ate earlier in the day didnt really help with the bowel issues.

later in the night we took a hike to a natural hot springs in freezing weather, and met up with other utah state students that came up for the game. The hike down was a tid more cold than the hike up, everyones hair and suits froze within minutes.

on our drive home we saw this guys practicing his skiing skills with roller ski's. he was so dead serious about it.

we stopped and frolic'd through these trees on the side of the road, they were so beautiful. and the weather was perfection.

My first frip to Boise was really great, even considering the loss of the aggies. We were proud to get to a bowl game at all, and hope to have another roadtrip next year for another bowl.

I finally get to go home for the holidays! It should be a fantastic time. This concludes the end of my first semester of Senior year of college. I can't believe how old that makes me feel to say out loud.

once upon a time i had a baby

2011-12-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

... The kind of baby that comes out of hours and HOURS on campus, designing and coding, to create a website... my third website of all time.. i consider it sorta my first but, if you dare, you should check it out

HERE.

there are some glitches.. just disregard, im not a profession yo.

through the hours of the night

2011-12-07T00:26:00.000-08:00

One great thing about my major is that im at the computer A LOT...

more than i would like to be, at least working on things that stunt my creativity (*cough* Ram-z fab)

anywho, an upside that i totally love about this thought is i get alot of music listening in. So, i decided to fill you guys in on whats sounding real, REAL good to me lately.

to get in the holiday spirit.. this makes me want to spend Christmas in Harlem. mmhm

tell me how this song blows me away everytime i listen to it. And, i just had a re-epiphany with the Across the Universe movie, quite possibly in my top 15 best movies of all time.

you gotta listen to this loud, and with headphones.

well this concludes my music sharing time.. theres plenty more where this came from, but I gotta get back to the homework. The semester is so close to being done, i can taste.

Week of Gratitude

2011-11-28T00:10:00.000-08:00

This right here is going to be all about the past week, that i'm going to smash into one post. This being because i'm a busy female. Although a lot of stuff has happened, many of the events actually all coordinate to be all things i'm grateful for this year. In order of occurence, lets do this.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR: Chad Hogan's party

in a nut shell {a very popular comedian based in Britain created a joke about American parties and used a random American name (that being "Chad Hogan") as his example of who threw this hypothetical American party. A lot of his followers are from Scotland and find this joke to be HILARIOUS.. So Scottish people found my friend (Chad Hogan) from Logan, UT who goes to Utah State, and started adding him on facebook. nut shell being shorter, BBC contacted Chad Hogan and asked if they could come film an episode of his tv show at his house while having a party} pretty hilarious right? If you want to know more about this joke go HERE.. its the actually joke, that i dont really find funny, but whaterr.

scene from the party. it was awkward because there were cameras and really bright lights outside the house and inside camera men. We tried to act natural but at times it was impossible to not act different when the camera was around.


met a dude friend with similar shoes. not many guys try and pull off boots. props to you stranger who i thought was named Trey the whole night.. but really is Seth. I'M GRATEFUL FOR: The NBA being back, so i can torment the Jazz fans just cuz.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR: friendships, and pre-Thanksgiving dinners with these friends. The friends that last, and every time you hang out with them you realize why you became friends from the beginning. Not only people that came to this dinner but many, many others. Friendships that give you inspiration or help you be a better you. Cheers to friends.

We had a small group over for a pre-thanksgiving dinner, and it turned out incredibly well. So delicious, and good conversation with good people.

tons of laughs, obvi.

we had a discussion of how many people put whipped cream on their cranberry sauce.. apparently its just me. Do any of you also do this?

I got home for the break, and was able to celebrate Brandeis' birthday. I'm grateful for cousins, and cousin-in laws.

Now for the real deal. The 24th of Nov blessed us with wonderful weather. So we set up all the tables outside.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR: Las Vegas weather, family that i rarely get to see, and the ones i see all the time, Jeff's mashed potato recipe, and Sister Goronson's pies.

I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR: the little sister I always wanted, and her being from a far away foreign land, so we get to experience simple American things all over again through her. Oh and her putting up with us, and how crazy we are. AND, how she brings travel and culture to me, when i can't be physically doing it right now.

oh the weather. delicious.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR: art and the outlet it provides me. Also, education and the opportunity I have to attend a college and take art classes, even though at times I want to stab my professors, I know in the long haul its all for my own artistic growth. The garage I stole for my studio for the weekend.


thursday night mom, Katy, Catherina, and I ventured out to stores for black friday. Were out til 2:30 a.m. and crazy loopy by the time we were done. BUT, i felt so proud of myself, because I requested a song on the new jelli station in LV while we were waiting for Target to open and it came on! I'm enjoying my grunge 90's kick lately.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR: music. which is an obvious one for a lot of people. but it means so much to me. i'm grateful that the song 'while my guitar gently weeps' by Martin Luther McCoy is blowing my mind right now.

as the weekend came to a close I got yogurt and looked at the beginning of the Christmas lights with my old friends Shelby and Matthew.

All of this week got me so pumped for winter break.

Since i'm here and all i thought i'd list a couple more things...

I'M GRATEFUL FOR:

Jesus Christ

spotify

Odilon Redon (especially his book to Himself)

Across the Universe

mum and dad

Adobe Suite

post its

left-overs

waterproof boots

my cadillac

chapstick

hot tubs

crossfit

Robyn being Canadian

No shave November (for obvious reasons)

Dancing

TopShop coming to Vegas

travel

live music

IMDb.com/App

Firehouse

missionaries

cottage cheese

sports (especially UNLV's win this weekend)

Happiness

I swear i thought of 5 guhzillion things on the drive back to Logan today, but I guess it will just have to wait til next year. Hope your week was full of thanks, and giving. Now, let my final projects go by fast and smoothly. love you all.

i cant help it

2011-11-24T01:28:00.000-08:00

i am grateful for homeboy right here. work it.

(thanks to Brandeis and "Jar" for sharing this with me tonight)

Viani's

2011-11-17T00:18:00.000-08:00

Yeah I totally forgot to say that me and Catherina skyped with her whole family this weekend too. From Vegas all the way to La Spezia, Italy.

I think the Viani's are fantastic, and hope to meet them in person one day. I mean of course they are fantastic, they gave us Catherina. duh.

Also Its funny that Catherina's brothers name is Lorenzo, because my real name is Loren (for those of you who didnt know).. and his nickname is Lori.. ummm, say what? creepy.

11.11.11 weekend of firsts

2011-11-15T00:19:00.000-08:00

Mucho happened this weekend. Which I love. I thrive on being busy and always having people to go see and random busniess to do. Me and sister Catherina shopped quite a bit this weekend. Hit up three malls downtown, ate delicious food, and enjoyed the sweet Vegas air. I especially love finding things Catherina has never done and making sure she experiences them. Its the bestest.

She has never tasted root beer so we HAD to get on that, dont worry we got the good stuff, ya know, IBC root beer.

this went down right about 11:11 Also. lucky us.

the next fine day we met up with some other family and shopped somemore. Her First time to Urban Outfitter and Anthro. OH! and first thrift shopping experience.

One of the other reasons i came down this weekend was to of course reunite with Blake... it was so great to see the boys back together again.

Later we HAD to have a fire, and then show Catherina S'mores.

Kevin Bacon addicts.

It was a fabulous time together this weekend. I am loving her time with us.

The simple life

2011-11-13T23:38:00.000-08:00

This weekend I had a long trip home planned. I planned it for a number of reasons and was really excited and in need of the time away from school and work. I decided to break up the drive a bit and make a pit stop in Enterprise, Utah to visit the Honey's (my grandparents). One of the best decisions, because my eyes were opened to so many wonderful things through spending time with these inspired people.

We went to Marv's. The only local restaurant Enterprise has. Its basically a burger/shake type place. pretty tasty

This whole visit was me observing actions and lifestyle of them. These hands are beautiful. You can just tell the character that has been embedded into them through hours of hands-on hard work. It explains so much.

small towns seem to show how theres always a familiar face anywhere you go... expecially at the one and only restaurant. Here they are talking tractors or crops.

The simple life. I've found that as years go by, interests change and the most important things in our life, evolve. When I first arrived at their house I walked in the red door i've walked in hundreds of times, and saw them both sitting at the dining table together cracking pecan shells. It was their project for the day. They insist I sit down. I thank them. I grab a nut and start cracking. We then talk about the weather.

My grandpa insists I take some squash and melon home to my folks. He names off the different types of produce he found with enthusiasm. He gets the wheel barrel. I offer to roll it myself. He says, oh no no, this is an old mans job. I chuckle to myself.

Theres something about this house. Its not easy to explain, but here's my attempt. My cousins and siblings and I know that there was never a dull trip to grandma and grandpa honey's house growing up. It was a constant adventure, and so much to explore in the back yard alone. The wood piles. Old trailers. Christmas tree lot. And old 'stuff' to play with/on/around.

Going back and visiting now gives me crazy flash backs. It reveals the gorgeous colors of the things i used to play with as a child. Its all the same. Same spot, just where I (we) placed them.

reminiscent smells and shapes

The company of my grandparents was priceless time that I will cherish forever. One on one time. At times I felt like I was interviewing them. Sucking all the knowledge I could. They word things in a completely different language than anyone else. Could be the generation difference, but to be honest, they have beautiful insight that If worded differently wouldnt have the same richness and charm.


my visit was almost over and there had been something that I was feeling so impressed to ask them but just hadn't yet. We stood up to give hugs and send me on my way and I perked up and asked their opinion on how to have a successful relationship, and how they keep the love alive in their relationship.

With no hesitation my grandfather says, "well first of all you gotta really like the person, you cant just say well he's an attractive dude, thats enough (he really said dude too)..... But I would really tell you that you must be accommodating with this person. you have to really be in love with them, and tell them every morning you love them and every night you love them..."

grandma tunes in: ".. you must kiss them everyday"

grandpa: "..yes kiss them, and you should pray together morning and night, we kneel at the end of our bed twice a day, together. We also go to the temple. GO to the temple. Then go to the temple again. and a again and again."

I was loving how my grandpa took the lead on this question, and you could just tell he was incredibly passionate about his answer and was very thorough. I'll never forget it. In the middle of this talk my grandma walks over and hugs him, and they peck and you can just feel the pure love they have for eachother.

My favorite part of this whole experience was just the observation of their lives. Talk of gardens. The weather. What dishes to bring to thanksgiving. and how they used to buy things for a nickel.

To them, It doesnt matter who the next winner of American Idol is, or wearing j.crews newest fall sweater. I look up to them more than words can explain. I don't think they know that.

the simple, beautiful life.

Advanced Style: Age and Beauty

2011-11-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

somedays i feel old and wrinkly...

but then i realize, I gain character in every passing day,

so when i'm 90, i WILL be a crazy, wacky fashionista. I mean, why the heck not?

You can get away with anything when you're old. (especially farting in public)

These ladies remind me of my grandma's and their fantastic amounts of jewelry. Just stupendous.

its so true, HENCE, funny.

2011-11-06T01:46:00.000-07:00

Ive felt like a mother that has abandoned this blog lately. i know we all say that sometimes there just isnt enough time in the day... on the real.. THERE JUST ISNT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY! Today i got to catch my breath a little, and sorta feel like i have a social life amidst school and work. By the way, i have a job now. I work at a local restaurant here in Logan. But overall i havent had one moment to myself it seems like forever. School is a ROUGH one this time around. ha must mean i'm a senior or something??

But i went to a pre season basketball game for the aggies. Hope they bring the heat all season. I dont care who you are, it felt so natural and GOOD, being back in the spectrum though. Oh also, the cold is here. Surprise surprise. Its here til about June, so here we go, lets get used to this.


Do you ever feel like you deserve something? Well, i've felt for some time that i deserve a sushi run. haha Or that since i work at a restaurant now, that i have waited on other peoples food orders enough and that its my turn to have someone wait on me. You can tell me if that sounds selfish. PLUS, its half off sushi at Takara on Saturdays, so its basically free99.

Talia and I joined a couple friends that live in our building to join in, (some may know him as Lonely Boy:) and sometimes its nice to just be completely yourself around friends. i love it when you can be out of control almost with people because you know they're not judging you because theyre equally as crazy as you are.

All in all, sushi was superb. Hit the spot I was searching to fill. I hope life gives me more time in the future to take a breather like today.

and they keep on trickling in

2011-11-05T01:48:00.000-07:00

alot of my bestest friends are flooding in from their missions. I swear theres only a few more out there. But! one of my most genuine best friend in this WUURLD just got home this past week. And i'm real happy about it. Pray for his bowels whilst he takes The Bomb (pill) to clear out the nasties that Latin America gave him.

Welcome back Blaky Poo.

Lori+keet

2011-10-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

I really want to be a Lorikeet today.

I know i'm a Lori.. but it would be super freaking sweet to be a Lorikeet, So vibrant and FREE...

just to fly away from school, work, stress and be colorful and awesome.

***bucket list: somehow be a Lorikeet... hmmm, halloween is coming up?

80s Video Dating Montages

2011-10-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

The original. (before eHarmony)

The remake by USU males.. (I consider some of them my friends)

idk boys, maybe you should stick to speed dating.

Liverpool, Russia, Zambia

2011-10-21T02:18:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna lay it out for you guys. This past weekend was a

ROLLER COASTER: Of fantastic, and overwhelm. I was really excited to go home for my buddies mission farewell, and to hang out with familia, etc. I left Logan at 5 a.m. and was feeling SO GOOD, ready for an amazing drive whilst being left with my thoughts and my music, and my beverages of choice. And was going to get home at a really decent time so I'd have another day in my city.

THEN, Priscilla (my car of almost 3 years) DIED on me. I was 13 miles out of Filmore, and she took her last breath.

So I chillaxed on the side of the highway while Priscilla was in between the merging lane and the right hand lane.

like so..

Luckily it was pretty warm out, and not snowing or other nonsense weather that Utah gives us. Blessing #1

I got a tow, never had to do that before. But it went very smoothly. Blessing#2

For about the next 5 hours I hung out with men of this sort.. really kind, old cute small town types. Blessing #3

then I had to say goodbye, which was sorta weird. You know what i mean when I say you get attached to cars.

Memories in this BEAUT. gotta check out this one, & the beaver incident, & here, lastly, the beginning.

Since I didnt have transportation I got to take the shuttle from Filmore all the way to Vegas. Luckily I hadnt missed it yet. Blessing #4 But I had a crap load of stuff from my car that i had to clean out. I looked like a traveling Gypsy. The locals HAD to have thought there was something wrong with me.

In fact I had plenty of time to explore Filmore. Which is basically one street

When i finally got on the shuttle, things started looking up. I met an amazing girl that is transferring to USU next semester and we had great talks about traveling and why Utah State is FANTASTIC. We plan on keeping in contact and maybe even living together next semester.

A car dies, but a friend is born. ha Blessing #5

Then I got on my second shuttle in St. George. I met some really intriguing amazing people. A lady from Liverpool, England. A man from Russia, and a kid from Zambia.

They all had the coolest stories to tell and i was just eating it all up.

Lady from Liverpool Story:

Her husband used to work for Paul McCartney's father way back in the day. One day her husband heard Paul downstairs in the house, and asked if he could go meet him and his other children, etc. Paul's father said, "uh, yeah i guess so... I don't think Paul will go very far in life..."

Little did he know.

Russian Man's Story:

This man was in St. George for the Senior Olympics and had been traveling all over the world for this senior Olympics. Apparently he's a big deal in the games as a swimmer. I was intrigued.

Zambia boys story:

This kid was who i sat next to, and he told me about how he was adopted by a soldier from Michigan when he was 12, and it now 21. But that in Zambia he was beat by his family and considered sort of a slave on the farm he worked on. Now, his inspiration is Michael Jackson, and travels the U.S. to dance, and is trying to make it big in the Dance world. Next stop: Miami.

The whole trip became worth it through meeting these people, when i wouldnt have met them and had these personal conversations other wise. Brought me joy when I was having a rough day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

When i finally made it home i was welcomed by my parents telling me we were going to finally get the exchange student we had been waiting for. I was ECSTATIC!! and once again thought to myself how could this weekend get better considering the circumstances of Thursday, but they absolutely did.

Vegas sunsets make the most beautiful treat. Almost looks like cotton candy. But my favorite part is the reflection of the rich pinks and purples in the gutter water. Simple, but I love it. blessing #6

Saturday was pumpkin carving party day. We had chili and corn bread and family and friends over.


MEET: CATHERINA!! She is my Italian sister. This was her first time carving a pumpkin. Oh, and earlier in the day we got her, her first slurpee. I love spending time with her, and learning things about her culture and life. It never gets old to me, I can never stop learning. BLESSING #7

One of my besties Kat came and joined in the festivities.

Jack Skellington, king of the pumpkin patch.

Brandeis and Jeri, Melina and Jeff and the kids also joined.

After this crazy weekend of new and unexpected events, i had to say goodbye and head back up to school. Catherina already feels like a sister of mine. The little sister I never had:D


Oh i never told you guys how i'm getting up to school .. well i inherited the Cadillac in our household. Blessing #8. Her name is Cruella the Flow Rider. I like her. Even though i feel sorta like a granny in her. OR! like a thug. More so the latter, because DUH, i'm a thug at heart.


couldnt believe the view driving back up. The lighting was so beautiful, and picturesque. I had to share it with you guys. blessing #9. So even though the trip started in an unfortunate way, i was blessed so much and everything fell into better place than i could even imagine. Last day of shorts mix coming soon...

We're Christians, did you know?

2011-10-15T02:50:00.000-07:00

I felt inclined to share something that was brought to my attention recently. Many people dont know that since I am a Mormon, I am also a Christian.

Its a wonderful thing I thought that you should all know. To learn more about anything involving this please visit mormon.org

Also, this video touched me so much. Just really hit home (in more than one way) how someone i look up to SO much from the music world and who is in the public eye as a rockstar, is an active member of the church, and is proud to let the world know. Watch it please.

Ace of a weekend

2011-10-09T00:53:00.000-07:00

Its been one of those good ones. Where I should be doing homework, but too many people to meet, and too many laughs to be involved in. good one... as in a good weekend.

Firstly, Aggie Football game with some of my closest guy friends up here (lazy eyes happen..)

Victory dances and the Armpit dance. Only Matt can do it this great.

Then,

THE ART OF FLIGHT film viewing.

greatest soundtrack of the month. or semester.

with tracks like this:

.. that cover my body with goose bumps.

Makes me want to Snowboard REALLY bad.. and I dont even snowboard.

All of this followed with a really decent dance party with a lot of my greatest friends.. and brand new friends. It was perfect.

It was just one of the good ones.

Think Different

2011-10-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

My tribute to Steve Jobs... thanks for thinking different and being one of the crazy ones.

Thanks for your innovative mind, I will be using the fruit of your labor for the rest of my life.

"..because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

To the creators

2011-10-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary to my creators!!

(with a whole crap ton of help from Heavenly Father)

They've been married for some time now.

Once upon a time they were cute young things, and their cuteness has just increased with every year. They were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple and 5 children later they are still hangin in there.

Watchin AFV every Sunday and going out on a date most every friday.

I owe them everything.

Congrats mum and daddio.

Man About Town

2011-10-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

I'm always all for indulging in some good talent. Kilian Martin, a former gymnast that grew up in Spain that craved the ability to surf, but because he was surrounded by asphalt he took up skateboarding. This isn't your typical skating, its extremely PLEASANT TO THE EYE.

watch:

So fabulous. And a fabulous face.

Logan in September and the 2nd Police Blotting

2011-09-24T00:47:00.000-07:00

BUSY BUSY life. I LIVE in the art building. its getting a little ridiculous when you spend more time in that building than in your own home. I guess its the norm for my major. In my painting classroom EVERYTHING is covered in paint. Its just a messy environment (which i love) therefore theres just crusty paint from the past 50 years of students that have used these rooms.

I found this little doodle on a desk the other day when my teacher was lecturing. I liked it alot.

Remember when I did the Police blotting last year? Basically the biggest police reports of each week. If you missed the first one click HERE.

This week there were some pretty good ones. I'm going to try to keep up with them more often this year.

Police Blotter

#1 USU police responded to a suspicious activity incident at Snow Hall. It was reported that a suspected firecracker was thrown at the individuals vehicle while driving on 1100 North.

#2 USU police were contacted by an individual reporting he has injured his finger attempting to ride the bull in the west parking lot. The individual was transported to the Logan Regional hospital via a USU patrol vehicle.

#3 USU police responded to a suspicious person report in the Blue Parking Lot south of Highway 89. Police found a male individual sleeping in a vehicle. Police advised the individual he could not sleep or live on campus.

once again, Logan is getting sketchier and sketchier.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In other news, Its homecoming week and i once again participated in the Powder puff games. Always a joy to be in.

We were team banana.

Mr. Khalifa provided our theme song Black and Yellow.

And homegirl Ryleigh took 100 pictures of me on my phone during our first game.

We basically killed during the first game. I tackled some chick. They were vicious and we decided that getting a penalty for tackling wouldnt be that big of a deal. whaterrrr.

So we won the first game, which got us in the championship game that night on the real stadium football field. Long story short, we got creamed in the championship game. oh wells. Still a blasty blast.

lovely roommates supporting me:D


ERIN's Birthday today! she was tuckered out. Love her.

SALSA PARTY tonight.

Matt Bury and my other dude friends invited us over to make salsa with their home grown tomatoes from their backyard garden.

There were over 100 tomatoes in this kitchen.

celantro. jalepenos. garlic. peppers. onion. lime. everything delish in one bowl.

it was FANTASTIC

we all thought so

nothing beats fresh tomatoes yo


best quote of the night was by this guy discussing our salsa.... "..how would oneself make this less soupy.." with his hands demonstrating the texture and density.

great busy week. keepin it real. Kill Colorado tomorrow Ags!

Monday pictures

2011-09-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

K. Sprouse needs this

one day

wish i could be her. Todo and Audrey

wish i could go back for just one game.

I'm ready for a roadtrip

The Ramones win.

warm sensations during sleepovers

Its his turn to come home to me.

I love you LA

"..the stars are out tonight.."


One week straight baby. never gonna forget that.

instant laugh after a long day on campus

2011-09-15T00:38:00.000-07:00

mom and dad in 20 years trying to use skype... oh wait, they already do this.

love you mom and dad;D

The Falls

2011-09-11T21:22:00.000-07:00


I've abandoned my blog. woops. School takes over life and it gets hard to keep up ya know? So i moved into a new place called The Falls at Riverwood, sounds so mystic doesnt it? We really like it, its WAY nicer than the past places I've lived up here. Dont have to worry about things breaking in an old college house anymore. I feel like i've dealt with the character building of old college homes for long enough. So this past weekend was the last weekend that our apartment pool was open (even though its still 90 degrees out) so we got out there one last time for a roommate bbq.

me and ry lookin fly

ry and tal

Add caption

this is Erin.. i havent talked about her on here yet, she's our new roomie. way legit.. i mean just look at her.

made a delicious meal

..and sat together watching weird movies whilst bonding

welcome back to school world.

welcome football and the essence of competition.

i like you all.

to the man

2011-09-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite man in life.

Thanks for all the wisdom

Thanks for the curly hair you willingly past on to me

Thanks for the laughs and fun times

most of all, Thanks for always being there.

Happy Birthday Dad, I love you!

Summer wrap-up

2011-08-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

Who really likes saying goodbye to summer? well i guess i could name a few, but all in all i feel like no one is ready for summer to be over unless it has to do with the hot weather.

Personally I love just about every aspect of summer.

And this summer was like no other.

Ill never EVER forget it.

Since I'm back in Logan getting my new apartment all put together my mind has been going over all the days the summer of 2011. Heres a few photos that give a good recap, in backwards order:

The last summer guarding. bittersweet: yes.

Kevin was my best friend this summer. We always have good times. Whatever problems we're having in life, we'd be there for eachother, any hour of the day or night. Miss him already.


I gained an addiction to traveling this summer as well. Met the most AMAZING people and learned so much about culture. Makes me giddy just thinking about the experiences we had. mmm. photo: at the st. bernard monestary with all my favorite girls

this was on my birthday in Bern

probably my favorite photo from the trip.


And my USU Swiss family.

see ya Summer..

Happy to be back at school. Senior year .. yeahh boy! lets hope its the last too.

Watch this instant.

2011-08-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

My pops is a big deal here in these parts.

Such a professional.

The Underwater Tigers & the Hartke Sharks.

2011-08-15T00:09:00.000-07:00

Take a gander at our photoshoot at Hartke.

These are some of the last documentations of Hartke City pool as we know it. It most likely will be closed for years, if not for good. VERRRRY bittersweet. and only hartke alum. can understand why.

Kev-bot

John Revara .. "what are we, pre-schoolers.." (in NY accent)

Trevor

fav photo of the month

shark faces

fish-eye... literally

best smile award

noobsicles

love this kid

Salvatore aka Sal - man model and king of gainers

Today was my last day working for CNLV.. I asked my advisor if i could have a guard tube and he laughed at my face, and said, "uhh, no."

Its been legitimate North Town.

Never have I met the coolest people or been excited for work in my life. Or eaten a ridiculous amount of Otter pops, or learned how to really dance (video soon to come)

This wont be my last post about Hartke so i wont get too mushy gushy.

underwater cameras are DA BEST!

you take your car to work.. i'll take my board.

2011-08-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

Rivers.. I always thought that was a rad name, not only because it was the first name of my favorite bands lead singer in the 8th grade. I finally got to see Weezer in concert. Its about time right? Even tho their two newest cds werent good. thats all i have to say about the new stuff... NOT GOOD. Sorry but its true. Old stuff??? BUCK. can. not. lose with Blue or Green album. and basically got me into music when i was a youngin..

bless you Weezer.

Homeboy Scott Shriner bassist was wearing a kilt. I dont care one bit. When you are 46 and still rocking OUT... wear what you will. Is he Scottish, no idea.

i took a ton of videos but they take too long to upload so i just did everyones fav, Say It Aint So

i love how casual Rivers dresses. He's the man.

I have a dad crush on him.

I forgot to say it was at the Red Rock Hotel pool side. and mid show, Rivers jumped in and got his legs wet... then at the very end He jumped all the way in and fans decided to join him. you cant really tell by this video because it was crowded, but it was legendary.

"in the garage.. i feel safe"

Luckily they played majority old songs. ended up being SO GOOD!

Dye

2011-08-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

I have been getting MUCHO IDEAS from Honestlywtf and so i decided to put some to the test. And you know me, and projects/crafts/cool things. Gotta do em.

Here is an easy rad shirt you can make with things around the house. all you need is:

-4 cups of bleach & 1 cup of water

-A darker colored cotton shirt

(I used a gray one that I got at the DI for cheap cheap, and happens to be from old navy. I dont like tight shirts, so i got it a little baggy. I think Maroon, black, dark green, brown, deep purple would all look really cool with this idea)

-two flat long objects... I used wood panel things I found on the side of my house

-gloves

-rubber bands

-a bucket

follow the 10 easy steps below

1. make sure you do this outside or in a place with good ventilation, because bleach is hecka strong stuff


2. Honestlywtf says to get a checkered look 'fold your shirt like an accordion' i wasnt sure what that meant exactly, so i did what i imagined it meant. And put the shirt between the two flat objects and use the rubber bands to bind it in.

3. combine 4 cups of bleach with 1 cup of water

4. Put the gloves on and make sure the scene is safe.....aha, dumb lifeguard pun. put the shirt in the bleach for just a few seconds.

5. try to cover as much of the sides with the bleach as you can

6. get the sides to become rusty orange , make sure not to leave it in too long because the bleach may start eating away the shirt.

7. hang dry it!

8. Wash that business in the washer, then:

9. WEAR IT!

10. happy day.

how the locals do it

2011-08-01T02:15:00.000-07:00

I made the mistake of taking a coma of a nap today after work, so now I cant sleep.

We all say that we love summer and its many majestic features they have on us..

sun, swimming, watermelon, shark week .. sun.

But, i'm a believer that every town has its own perks during the summer. The thing that you only know about if you have spent a good amount of time in that town. I'm so blessed to have people in my life that through a matter of events became friends with them. Once again i wish i took more photos, because this week consisted of alot of fun LV based activities and incredible friends. heres a few:

Me and the beautiful Emily Stolworthy reunited and went to The Drowsy Chaperone play at Spring mountain ranch outdoor theater on the edge of town. AMAZING play, hilarious. Alfonso was by far the best character.

I love spending time with this girl. Together we know how to laugh at eachothers dry humor and basically everything. sorry for the very POOR photo quality.

I went to a battle of the bands for Sal (fellow lifeguard) , which frickishly took me back to high school and the insane amounts of time i spent at local shows. Sal's band, Inherit the Sky ended up winning the battle. He even gave us a shout out on stage, and said "HARTKE SHARKS!!"... and we replied with a "HAWR HAWR!!" perfectly in sync. Sal's a rockstar, and beyond talented. Check him out.

the pool today was so serene and slow motion. Thats the only way to explain the way we felt. At least me and Trevor thought so. I would sit there staring at the gray sky and my body felt numb almost and every motion I did was slow mo. I don't do drugs, so this must have been a recipe of the weather, the water, and ambiance. It felt so good. I tried to capture a taste of the day.

lastly, some songs of the summer.

would you sue me if I said I liked this cover better then the original. no hard feelings AF.

i'm gonna lay it down right now, this girl, Nanna Fabricius is right up there with Emily Haines, and Amy Millan. bold statement. I guess their more popular song is Sun of a Gun. All of Oh lands stuff is worth listening to.

and because every music post deserves a throw-back. and Trevor, a co worker of mine lives for the Ramones, heres a little treat. Why do i go so long without listening to the classics. They only made all the good music today happen. Thank you Johnny Ramone.

That might have been an overload of music.

Happy first week of August. Its gonna be a good month, i can feel it.

Grand China & Grease

2011-07-27T11:48:00.000-07:00

Me and my girl Kaleigh reunited yesterday to reenact a tradition we used to do in 8th grade.

We'd get Chinese, and watch Grease.

Which im proud to announce that we still know the whole movie by heart, and STILL find Kenickie sexy as ever. judge me. do it.

It was so great to catch up with her, no joke we were inseparable when I first moved out to the area I spent most of middle/high school era. She's amazing, and I love her even if we don't spend every waking moment together like we used to as 14 year olds.

we chowed down on cream cheese wontons. BOMB. i mean fried cream cheese never faileth me.

So there is my ode to the old days.

midsummer

2011-07-26T01:50:00.000-07:00

lets chat about the midsummer through my phone pix and vids.

For example I go to house kickbacks

photo: courtesy of Eldon trying to make me look super attractive. sike.

Guard sushi night

read Harry Potter out loud at the pool. This is Trevor.. my favorite punk rock lover. Johnny Ramone is his hero and i love it.

Watch ladies 'futball'.. and their fans

and chill with the crew, and listen to Eldon's solos, whilst he scolds me, "OH mY GoSh!" haha

Summer dont end just yet. the only reason I am okay with it coming to a close is because a. i get to see my people in Logan b. college football begins, holla at ya boy c. ill be one step closer to graduating.

I just gotta..

2011-07-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

Remember that one time two years ago when some really amazing friends and I went to the 6th installment of the Arry Pottuh premiere showing? (not sure where you are Cailtin) And remember how I also went last night, sorta kinda for my right hand women Kayla Tips (who is now on an LDS mission loving her life).

I know she's semi devastated she couldnt see this last movie, but i cant help but believe she was legitly there in spirit. gaww, i miss her.

Before this movie two short years ago, we went to every party city in this town looking for these ties.. and were lucky enough to have had black graduation gowns from HS.. and went on a journey in her backyard to find the perfect wand. yes sir, we did.

But.. not to give too much away, Ron Weasley's stache was turning me on (until the end when he gained double his body weight... and Jenny looks the oldest fasho in that last scene) and overall I was VERY entertained the whole time.

The Summer Haps

2011-07-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

Drum roll please......

Hartke re-opened this past weekend! And let me tell you it has been

legen.......

wait for it.......

(hope you're not lactose intolerant because) DARY!

if you are unaware of what Hartke means to me, check out this or this OR this. it will recap everything quite nicely.

Basically Hartke was closed last summer due to budget cuts and such things, but this year we were given 3 days to be open a week. So we took what we got, and here's how its been even with just 2 days being open so far.

Our first day no one showed up to swim for over an hour, and then the rest of the day we had about 5 people in the pool the whole day. AND, we had to close because we saw lightning. Therefore, we played Scrabble for a bit.

On my way home from my first day. Monsoon season. i heart you.


day 2 Kevin sat on the VERY dusty chairs, and this AT&T sign was there for basically the whole day.

its rained for like 20 minutes straight one day. oh my heavens it was amazing. Vegas never gets this, so it was such a treat. We have quite a few new people that are working with us.. we'll see if they prove to us by the end of the season to deserve the title of being a Shark. pressures on. Its an honor.

we play TONS of cards.

love our life doing so

eat Robertos.

Also this, Happy 7/11! free Slurpees!

HARTKE SHARKS... HAWR HAWR!!!

dark.

2011-07-09T02:28:00.000-07:00

There are TONS of perks to living in the desert over the summer.

Swimming weather 24 hours.

Monsoon season, which results in a lot of rain, and the delicious smell of fresh water on hot pavement.

could i get an amen if you feel me?

But one of my favorite .. and i mean FAVORITE things in this life, is

Summer nights in the desert.

scenes from Independence Day. The 4th of July if you will. In the desert lighting stuff up.

you can barely catch a glimpse of the ear to ear grin on my face. Love this country. Love this City. Love the nighttime.

The night is known for its darkness. And i respect that about it all. I mean, we gotta sleep in the 'dark'... but I adore how you are never truly in the dark in this city. Street light. cars. buildings.

windows always down.


some may not appreciate it because you cant see the stars. And yes, i miss the stars from time to time. But i cant help but be addicted to these stars. May be man-made, but they are beautiful.

Live and Acoustic. The sweet lullaby to summer nights 2011. This song genuinely gives me chills, even when its 90 degrees outside at 12:37 at night.

desert summer nights

can't shake it til you've tried it

Recap and Goodbye.

2011-07-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

I felt like my last Swiss post wasn't good enough to end on.

I need more closure in this relationship. I mean one whole month i gave this love relationship.. i owe it to Him (because in french you have to specify if masculine or feminine).

So here it goes with the recap and goodbye.


The monastery was AMAZING, and an unforgettable 3 days. Not many people can say they took a pilgrimage in the Alps in a blizzard, hung out with a Monk, cleaned a chapel full of really old stuff that we weren't supposed to touch. and walked over the Italian border. And met an amazing girl named Margerite who took us to a pub where we had an amazing night in Italy. what. up.

Videos stolen from Kaitl's youtube.


I had the privilege to hang out with ALL of these people. My USU swiss family... and Dominique.


did weird shiz the entire time. were "stupid Americans..."

I followed old people around.. was it creepy? uh, nope;D

The thing that MADE this trip was being with these girls the whole time. I love them all SO MUCH! Im having weird withdrawals without them around, and saying inside jokes that we created in Switz out loud and having no one understand them.

Swimming in Lake Geneva ALOT. We definitely formed a bond with this place. It became our hang out. Vevey and the Americans are tight.

went to Italy and swam in the Mediterranean. Had an unreal day...one of the best in my life.

Now for the Goodbye:

once again the view from our room

same view

just waving to Sam on our balcony, taking one last look at what we were blessed with for a month.

smolder.. love her.

down our hallway

our room all packed up. (and the photo that i promised mom and April of my room)

after we were all on the bus taking our last looks at Au Bel Air and our Leysin home.

Seriously two of my favorite people on this earth. I miss them dearly. I miss their: breakfasts, waffles, accents, reaction to us blowing the fuse in the building, Dominique saying, "come to me..",Josieanne teaching us how to eat cheese fondue, and most of all just their giving personalities. I will forever remember them, and remember how they introduced the Swiss Culture to me.

June 2011, I already want you back!!

If you missed out on the trip check out posts Day 1 all the way to THE END post.

Buck.

2011-07-03T02:48:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to get back into life after Switzerland.. so what better way then catch up on my

SYTYCD

aka-So You Think You Can Dance.

Summer wouldnt be the same without getting my fix of Napoleon and Tabitha's Hip hop routines, and Sonya Tayeh contemporary genius routines.

Just thought i'd share one the most BUCK routines so far. Theres always a Natty-Tab love hip hop dance that blows my mind..

THE END of Switz for now...

2011-06-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

The end of this journey has been bittersweet and NOTHING like the first 3 weeks. I mean we went to Italy, then the rest of the time has been SO random.

I guess ill start out with us meeting two local brothers from Leysin on the train over a week ago,

Then running into them again.

Then us getting invited to one of their birthday parties.

So we went.. because we wanted to see how Europians party.

Turns out they don't dance. Not as much as Americans at least.

Also i forgot to say the kids whose birthday it was.. he's a DJ.

Being the crazy Americans that we are, we danced while they watched us being crazy. haha

The best part was that the songs that they played were way old school hip hop, like Run DMC, and MC Hammer (thats what they think we jam to, which we do when we want an old school pick me up)

It was a really funny night.

Us dancing all weird, and the Swiss people (which you see at the end all around the table) looking at us like we're the weirdest things they've ever met.

one of the days we decided to get on a random train and not look at where the destination was and just end up in an unknown town.

So we did, and it took us to Texas... not really, it took us to a small swiss hick town called Bavois.

We came across a ~~soccer~~ football field. And we hung out in the stand where the announcers would sit

we also twirled until we were so dizzy that we fell on this big field of grass, in this unknown town.

Sam is always so happy.

we waited for our train.. like we do numerous times a day.

homeboys played their caseo on the train

out the train window on our way to Leysin

This is Kaitl about to catch my chapstick

Been a LONG month, very tiring...

more tiresome people.

But, Dominique always greets us with this smile. pulls at my heart strings everytime. haha Cheesy i know,,, hate me for it.

we ate on the deck

Authentic Brauts and other random Swiss stuff.

Definitely one of my top favorite photos of all time. Explains his entire day the other day.


And as glamorous as this looks, Kaylee had a water mishap.. but doesnt it look like a sea horse.

This was our last night all together before we come back to America..and the boys were crackin us up. Im going to miss spending so much time with all of them.

It wouldnt have been the same without all the different people in our group. Everyone added funny stories and had an impact on how this experience was. I wouldn't take anything back.

(except maybe the cheese fondue, and anyone who was in this group would probably agree) haha

Italy. Coast.

2011-06-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

Im just going to tell you straight up. This is going to be a long post. Lots to show.

Like I've said earlier, we have the last week here in Europe to go wherever we would like, so me and a small group decided to go to Italy.. Cinque Terre to be exact.

Cinque Terre stands for '5 Cities', or something pretty close.

We were really second guessing going, but never have i made a better choice in the past 21 years of my life. Man i'm old. Photo overload. I forewarned you:D

In Riomaggiore (1 of the 5 cities of Cingue Terre), we took a famous love walk along the mountain of the coast. All along this walk people have placed locks, to represent their heart being locked for someone else. Love was in the air EVERYWHERE in Italy.. couples galore.

swoon.

in addition, people write random sweet nothings on the wall. To their love, or maybe the lack there of. We wrote a couple things our-self.

view from Love walk.

Marcos, a dude from our group, that is studying at USU from the Dominican Republic, but this is him trying to be a sunscreen model. haha

THEN.. we made our way to another one of the 5 Cities, called Manorola.

honestly why aren't buildings painted so beautifully in the U.S.

This is where i first stepped foot in the Mediterranean

and went Cliff jumping.

View from the water

We saw alot of leather skinned Italians.

This was me, Kaitlyn, Marcos, and Ali on the way to Italy. We missed our train, then got yelled at by about 3 Italians that i swear hate Americans of any kind, and we got to ride the sweatiest, more ghetto piece of crap of a train... if you even want to call it that. I felt like i was getting diseases just from sitting on the cloth seats that smelt like an STD, even tho i havent smelt that before, in my imagination, this train smelt just like em. BUT, we met the cutest girl named Greta on this train who is going to the U.S. in about a month to be an exchange student. Like what Marcos said, "you miss a train, you gain a friend"

Did i mention we were staying at a camping hostel? ya. we're hardcore that way. This was my little home for a couple nights.

Campsite shot.

More from Manorola. The water was the most perfect temperature. we just floated in it for a while. I wanted to put pause on my life and just live in that position for about a year.

Told you there is love everywhere.

Then we trekked to another one of the 5 cities called, Monterosso. This is known to be the most crowded touristy one, if you couldn't tell by this photo.

I got tortellini in a restaurant right on the beach. Surprisingly its not as delectable as the Tortellini at Olive Garden.

Streets from Monterosso

Even Laker fans in Europe.. we're taking over;)

we eat too much gelato.

The last place that we stopped for the day was Vernazza, another one of the cities. and we walked off the train and right when we stepped foot into this place i saw this lady that i swear i knew from somewhere; school or something. I walked over to Kaitlyn and before i could say anything she chimes in and asks how we know this lady.. then it clicked!

SHE'S FROM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (she was in Season 2 i think it was for only about 5 episodes, and was Ted's girlfriend for a little while til she took a job or something in Europe.. Ironic).. only mine and Kaitlyn's most favoritest show ever. So i walk up to her and ask if that really was her and she starts cracking up, and starts talking to us like we're homies.

Her: "you guys, our hotel totally got unbooked, how sucky is that... I just got married and me and my husband are on our honeymoon... (she points to her husband in the distance sitting on a bench)

we have small talk for a couple minutes.. where me and Kailtyn try our hardest not to be giddy fans

She then asked if we wanted to hear a secret, of course we would, and she tells us she is going to another appearance in How i Met Your Mother again this coming up season! Thats right, you heard it here first people. It was Awesome. It was the same rush of excitement like when i saw the Buried Life bus.

and if you forget who she was... or are lame enough to not watch the show, here is a clip from her time on the show.

precious

View from Vernazza

Lucky for us there was another couple.. looks like two guys, but i promise its a girl in the striped. They were adorable.

created our own filter from a piece of plastic we found on the pier

Vernazzo

another moment i wanted to put pause on life.

the crew

this seagull was only a couple feet away from me.

please check out this water.

as the afternoon crept up on us, the buildings colors got more and more warm and delicious.

These children were so entertaining.

mmm

We got back to Deiva Marina (where our hostel was) and we saw this in a canal really close to the beach and read a poster saying there was going to be some kind of Catholic celebration later on in the night, and that there was to be a HUGE bonfire.

SO for the time being we just sat on the Deiva Marina beach, and collected rocks.

um, we swam here too, lets just say the water was feeling extra good in Deiva Marina despite it being night time.


Then we went back to the ~~huge.~~ ~~Massive.~~ miniature house that they ended up setting on fire after a parade. Italy is crazy, but it been one of the most memorable day in Europe, and i for sure will come back to this neck of the woods again.

oh, then we just hitch-hiked our way back to our Hostel, cuz it was a pretty far walk, and this cute old Italian couple picked us up in their old BMW and took us right to La Sfinge (our hostel)... and that was basically our Italy experience. More travel fun from today, but all WORTH IT!

Im beginning to have a life motto that goes a little bit like this:

you will never regret any sort of travel that comes your way.

yep. seems about accurate.

Day 23

2011-06-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

Presentation Day. Remember how i told you we had to do a marketing project. We were split up into groups (design and business students) to re-design a brand of chocolates here called Femina.. So here was our finishing product.

we proposed that this brand support a cause in order to gain advertising, revenue and to help people

Ads we made. We were inspired by Tiffany & Co.

Then we had one of my favorite meals.

All the salad dressings here are 10 times better than in the states.

Mashed tators, cauliflower, and meat.

NO WAFFLE WILL EVER COMPARE TO THIS WAFFLE.. Its like a glazed donut in waffle form, with chocolate and caramel and whipped cream on it. all of that and times it by 500 and this is how amazing it is.

Kaitlyn: "i would throw up just so i would have room to eat more of these waffles"

Then a smaller group of us hopped on a train to go for an evening swim in Geneva lake again.. but this time in our swim suits.

We got there in time to see the sunset

The group.

check out Clays face.. he's on the far right sitting down. He's our eccentric fella.

The ladies.


It felt amazing to finally be done with the school part of the trip, although its going to be weird not to be with the entire 46 person group.

Tomorrow we're going to Italy for a couple days. So see you on Friday!

Day 22

2011-06-20T15:31:00.000-07:00

We went to the actual Matterhorn today. Not just the one at Disneyland. The real one is located near Zermatt, so we climbed (as in the train) a huge mountain to get to this little place. Probably the most touristy place we've been. Today was also our last day all traveling with the group, so it was sorta bittersweet.

On the way up on the train me and Kaitlyn sat next to this old lady that ended up chatting with us. She is almost 85 years old and came to Switzerland from Germany in 1945. She was 19 years old at that time. And she talked to us about the war and how she met her husband. I loved talking to her, old people have a view of life in such a different perspective, that always creates light bulbs in my head. Not to mention they are wise, and have many years of life experience on top of ours. One of my favorite aspects of traveling that ive come to realize is that i love the random moments with the people here. Their story, and different lifestyle. It always captivates me.

Me and Talia created our vision boards (assignment we have to do) here in this sitting area.

SOOOO, its been a LONG month, and today was the last day of hard travel with the group like i said before, and i think we are all POOPED..

i think maybe even a little crazy...

...see.

Hey Abe Lincoln

just too easy Kaitlyn, i know you have some of me too:D

The view going up the mountain to Leysin that we take everyday. Have i mentioned how blessed i am?

Since it was the last dinner with the full group, Dominque made it extra special. I have a video of him playing his trumpet, but its having troubles uploading. Ill have to show you later.

He made it look like an American/Swiss party

And made the most delicious cake that had vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry layers of ice cream (glasse) inside a layer of white cake, then cover in some cream stuff that he set on fire to make all crispy.

It said "USU 10"... because we were the 10th year of this program.

That's basically the day. I slacked on the pictures, ill pick up the picture taking tomorrow. Promise.

Day 21

2011-06-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

FIRST AND FOREMOST: Shout out to my father!

Gruyeres, Switzerland.

We had the lucky opportunity to go to a Medieval Festival in Gruyeres, and explore the beautiful scenery and lurk on all the people dressed up like authentic medieval folk. I think everyone enjoyed them self quite a bit.. Here are scenes from the day:

from left: Sarah, Kaylee, Kaitlyn, Me, and Talia

same

Gruyeres center square.

i wasnt kidding when i said they were dressed up authentically. Straight up.

men in tights

this view was unreal.

maze jumping.

We also went to a couple museums, one of which was a Tibet museum

We had time for meditation in the Chapel of this Tibet Museum. On this trip we strive to set aside time daily for meditation to clear our minds in order to gain more perspective in 'Designing our life'

Pistachio and Chocolate on a grass hill.

Stained glass on a tomb stone.

wet pitcher that was just made.

charming.

feeling like Nala about to pin Simba. (whilst gallivanting in this meadow, in character, I got stung by some form of insect.. which threw off the whole mood)

Last stop of the day was in Montreux where we had 25 minutes to kill, so we went to the Geneva lake side lookout.

Day 20

2011-06-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

Nothing really happened today.

It was a frickishly rainy day. One minute we'd look out the window and it would be just raining.. then the next it would be completely foggy and we couldn't even see across the street. We were LITERALLY inside a cloud up here in the Alpy Alps. So, we stayed in the Au Bel Air basically all day working on our marketing project for Femina Chocolate. It was weird to actually not travel hardcore for an entire day. But i couldnt leave you guys hangin.. so you GOTTA see the vid that was made from our Geneva Lake gallivant (v. To roam about in search of pleasure or amusement) from yesturday.

Please Enjoy.

Special thanks to Lindsay and Pam via Switzer Struts.

And then Kaitls, Kaylee and I grandma race back home, after taking a dip into the lake. But it was raining already so 'wetness' was bound to happen either way. Eventful day yesterday.

Don't worry tomorrow will be more travels, keepa readin:D

Day 19

2011-06-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Lausanne today! finally didn't have to ride a million trains to get to our destination. Lausanne is only about an hour away from Leysin. We made our way to the Rolex Learning center. Which was freaking sweet looking. There are no stairs, just inclines. And it was full of college kids. Impeccably dressed dudes that are our age. Why do people dress so AMAZING here. I feel so frumpy compared to them. Freak people please give me your clothes.

UFO.

Then we roamed the streets of Lausanne before our organ concert.

kinda creepy.. but street performers are always interesting.

we ate kebabs on those steps for lunch.

get it gurl.

Lausanne Cathedral.

Views of Lausanne

rooftops are beautiful here.

At the end of the day we had some free time so me and a group of girls decided randomly to run jump in Lake Geneva, fully clothed, (because it had been raining already). So we ran from the train station to the lake and as we were about to jump in one of the girls slipped and fell and messed up her ankle. So we made sure she was okay and went on with our little swim and got some GREAT footage:D Then we had to RUN back to the train station and get our friend to the train station too, so Pam and Lindsay found a shopping cart and put the injured girl, Keeley, in it and we all made it to the train in time, thanks to the train for being 7 minutes late. Long story short, we had a blast, but the injured girl broke her foot and is in the hospital for 3 days and has to have surgery. Sometimes being spontaneous back fires.

I wont lie tho, it was beyond worth it. Its just too bad accidents happen. Anything for some good footage, you will see the video of us jumping in within time.