A million at once.

Creative Arts is the most pointless class offered at Utah State. We had to go see "Miracle on 34th Street" this week...and after Lauren and I slept through the entire first act (it's been a long week. Don't judge.) we spent all of intermission snapchatting Jon, Bronson, Paige and our roommates, and making friends with the light technician. Ignore our faces...we were concerned, since the last play we'd seen had scarred us for life.

After Miracle on 34th....we discovered that Emi was the next attraction. Ladies and gentlemen, my best friend. 

My roommates and I have some interesting conversations...the highlight of this week? Adrienne told us that she thinks she was adopted. From the pound. So all week long, we've been teasing her about being a dog. It didn't help that her family wants to get another puppy, and we think they should name it Adrienne--since obviously they need a replacement for her. The day after this enlightening conversation, this slide came up in Creative Arts. [I'm telling you, we learn nothing important. Scratch that, we learn nothing in that class.] So of course we snapchatted it to Adrienne, and her response was a very passionate #woof. 

As a last hurrah before finals week, and the last concert before Hailee leaves, we went to see We Are the In Crowd, The Wonder Years, and...YELLOWCARD. It was incredible. And as soon as the first chords of Ocean Avenue were played, my entire life [at least since 8th grade] came full circle. Seriously, they were so good. 

And finally? The boys of 106 would like to wish you a Merry Christmas with their new wall decor. I have such attractive neighbors. 

Well friends. I have an interview for A-Team today [and I really really really want to make it.] and I have to teach relief society on Sunday. So I'm going to go teach a bunch of A-Team hopefuls how to successfully cradle a lacrosse ball and prepare a lesson on who knows what. Cheers to the freaking weekend, folks. 

Back to reality.

Thanksgiving break was wonderful. Even though I was home for a grand total of maybe 48 hours, having no school for five days was blissful. I had to work Tuesday night, so I got to stay up in Logan all by myself until Wednesday afternoon. [It's terrifying. I don't recommend it.] But when I got home Wednesday, I got to go to lunch with three of my favorite human beings. After working with Kaylene, Kim and Ally for nine months on our "baby" of a girls' camp, I decided I want to be just like Kim and Kaylene when I grow up. Seriously. These ladies are the best of the best. [So are Tara and Julie and all the girls on our committee, I just went to lunch with these three.] Kim and Kaylene got this chicken sandwich...and while Kaylene's was decent sized, Kim's was a seriously half a chicken on a bun, paired with a head of lettuce and a massive pickle. Watching her eat it was entertaining, to say the very least. Long story short, I am so glad I have these ladies in my life. They're on the list of people I look up to the very most, and if I could be half as awesome as Kaylene and Kim are when I'm grown up, I'll be satisfied.

The next best part of coming home was being with my baby sisters. There's nothing better than having a sleepover with your three-year-old sister, especially when she talks in her sleep. [I woke up Wednesday night to her rubbing my hair. I asked her what on earth she was doing, and her only response was, "Ash. Your hair is soooo soft." I just rolled over and went back to bed.] She's also the only one who will take funny face pictures with me, so we took an abundance of them. I forget how much I miss these kiddos until I come back up to school and Doc McStuffins isn't on our TV, and there's not a massive pile of toys waiting behind the chair. Needless to say, I like my family.

Of course, Thanksgiving is about being grateful for what we have. And I was very grateful for the food. Turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad with homemade dressing, raspberry jello salad, rolls, and my Grandma's creamed corn and zupfa. I'm telling you people, this meal alone could keep me satisfied until the new year. And everyone knows the leftovers are the best part...which would be why I have a loaf of zupfa in my cupboard. It's the best part of the meal.

Last, but definitely not least, I got to see one of my best friends. Emily moved to Kaysville right before senior year started, and from then on we did everything together. She and I got a job at the same restaurant, were in all the same dance groups, and she's the one I dragged around with me everywhere I went. Her sister did my hair, and I think she owes me at least her first child for all the lunches I bought her. It's probably fine.:) But then, at the end of June, she went to California for the summer to help her aunt and I didn't see her again until right before I moved up to school. Going two months without your best friend sucks, so we survived the first three months of college with Skype--and lots of it. But this Sunday, I forced her to come to a farewell with me. Even though she's three hours away at BYU-I hate it here, she's one of my best friends. And my sister. And I miss her like crazy. But in two weeks? She'll be home for good. And I've never been more excited. 

A tad forgetful.

So. I missed a week. And I don't have time to catch up on everything. Just know that I am so grateful for my life in general. I have the world's most amazing family [who sends me cookies as a surprise with the rest of the stuff I forgot.] the best roommates [who are my best friends.] the greatest friends [who put up with everything I do.] a fun job [that makes me far less stressed about life.] and some of the sweetest boys in the world [who fix my tires, explode watermelons, and go grocery shopping with me.] and I couldn't be happier with where I am.
However, I am going to do a delayed post for the 18th. The 18th would have been my Grandma's 60th birthday. Even though she passed away two and a half years ago, I'm thankful for her and her example every day.

She was the best example of selfless service I've ever seen, and true Christ-like love. She put everyone else before her, and loved like no one I've ever known. And I'm grateful for that example everyday of my life. I miss her every single day, and even more so during the holidays, but I'm also grateful for the sure knowledge I have that I will see her again. And I can't wait for that day. 

Now, to today's post. 

November 20th: Today I'm grateful for a whole lot of little things that make every day easier. I'm grateful for a warm apartment, and hot water. I'm grateful for electricity, and a warm bed [that I really never want to leave] I'm grateful for cars, and for my iPod. I'm grateful for my computer, and the stereo in our apartment that will let us listen to Christmas music full blast come Friday. I'm grateful for 24-hour drive-thru's when we're too wide awake to sleep and need some ice cream. These, and a million other little things, make my life so much easier and so much more fun. And I'm grateful for that.