Friday Confessions.

Confession #1: I've listened to this song approximately 3,000 times this week.

Confession #2: I've listened to this one just as many.

Confession #3: I stayed up til 2:00 am to finish reading Frankenstein after reading an essay about the monster in Volume III. I've never felt like such a nerd in my whole life--and I loved it.

Confession #4: I've kept a fake engagement ring in my purse since I served a strange table a couple weeks ago. When I realized they were in my section last night, I may or may not have put the ring on and made sure they saw it. Sorry dudes, I'm not your "perfect woman," and I'm only bringing you the sandwich you requested because it's my job...#sorrynotsorry

Confession #5: I shamelessly stalked Awkward Girls for a long time in order to find some kind of outfit inspiration. All I found was a ton of clothing I didn't have, but seem to need.

Confession #6: I made a countdown on my phone for the Katy Perry concert. The amount of fangirling my big and I are going to do is unreal. [241 days. I also may have tried to talk myself into dyeing my hair that color.]

Confession #7: I ugly cried for a solid six minutes and 42 seconds while I watched this video. 

Confession #8: I scoured Pinterest and Etsy for far too long trying to find something that combined giraffes and Audrey Hepburn in a way that wasn't atrocious. Nothing. 

Here's to one of my favorite weekends of the year...because for some reason, the SuperBowl is the only day I feel like I can eat whatever I want and not have it counteract everything I've been doing at the gym. 

Happy Friday, folks! 

On the move.

Boots + scarves + tights + sweaters. 

Hot chocolate + rainstorms + fireplaces + hoodies.

Football games + changing leaves + thunderstorms + canyon drives.

Pumpkin spice everything + apple cider.

There's a couple dozen cliche reasons why I'm in love with fall--I'm not ashamed to admit I got overly excited when they told us peppermint hot chocolate was back on the menu at work. 

Don't get me wrong, I live for the summer: the sunshine, the water, the freedom, the adventures. 

But I thrive on the cozy comfort of the routine that comes in the fall.

Summer brings tan lines and snow cones and lake trips. 

But fall brings a set schedule, a routine, and a way to make organize the chaos that is life. 

And as much as I love the greens that come out in the spring, I'm in love with the changing leaves and stormy nights that fall brings. 

We're lucky that we basically get two starts to every year. 

January brings about change, but it's too cold and dark to hold any promises. 

Autumn's new start comes with a new schedule, new people, and in some cases, new places. 

Autumn is the like the world's last chance to prove itself before the cold settles in for months--especially in Logan. 

Football season has started, and it's almost time to make sure you have a jacket with you everywhere you go.

Hot chocolate sounds appealing again, and everything is pumpkin flavored. 

Tights aren't crazy anymore, and swimming is becoming a distant memory. 

Driving through Sardine Canyon yesterday on my way to Brigham City, you could feel a change in the air. The leaves are beginning to change color, and the sun isn't quite as intense. 

So as the greens and pinks fade to reds and golds, hold on to the memories that summer gave you--

but fall in love with autumn. 

The final countdown.

It's Monday. Which means that I'm sitting on the couch, compulsively refreshing my email waiting for word from my best friends. 

It also means that I have ample time to be reviewing facts for the sample tour I have to give...today could be an adventure. 

Instead, it's time for a highlight reel of the last few days. 

Massage train in 102: because there's really no better way to spend a Wednesday night. 

Relay for Life: Utah State Edition. Cancer sucks, so of course we'll walk dozens of laps around the fieldhouse track. 

All this sunshine makes a girl ridiculously happy. As does being done with a Relief Society lesson. So the four of us that were left had to document the spring colors.

Sunday drives are the best way to end a perfect day. They're even better when you're with your best friends, wrapped in our favorite blankets and hoodies, and sitting on a bench that looks over the whole valley. 

We've got two (maybe three) weekends left up here, and that realization hit hard last week. Words can't even begin to cover how lucky I am to have these girls as my best friends, and I can't think of five people I'd rather be living with. 

Come May, we'll all be headed in different directions. 

Kelsey leaves for her mission in Knoxville, Tennessee May 22nd. 

Emi's moving home to work in Salt Lake before heading to Vancouver, Canada on August 7th. 

Kenzie's transferring to Weber State for fall semester. 

Adrienne's moving home for the summer, before coming back up in the fall. 

Lauren and I are working in Logan all summer, and staying up here for the foreseeable future. 

Things are changing again, right as we're finally getting the hang of this college thing. Oh well. C'est la vie. 

I guess it's just blowing my mind that in two weeks, I can say I've successfully completed a full year of college. Time's flying--and I'm in love with that fact. 

Strange things are happening.

Logan is awesome. Tonight, we got to go on an adventure up and down Main Street and get lots of free food and coupons. Chick-Fil-A gave out free sandwiches, and Emi just had to have her picture taken with the cow. (The pictures are out of order, just be prepared.) And then we got to go watch Candace play volleyball. And screamed like little girls from the front row. 

During our Taste of Logan tour, we went into Needham Jewelers and got these fabulous t-shirts. We then wore them to the whole game, and only 1308.120834 people said, "You're both single, so you should date." Then, when they realized there were three of us, things got weird. So we went back to our apartment to make peach smoothies with our free peaches--which turned out to be nectarines in reality--and burned out a blender in the process. So they took pictures with J-Biebs because they're single, and he wants to make them shine brighter than the snow. 

We modeled our shirts for the jewelry company as fantastically as we could and decided that we could no longer be single. So Josh and I played awkward third wheels while Emi and Mitch declared their love for each other. 

Emi's mom warned her to stay away from RM's...and we're both armed with pepper spray, so when he pulled a move she struck. [Not really, this was just the photo of the day for Kelly.]

And last but not least, Shelby (my A-Team mentor for Connections) made us Aggie cookies for our last full day of Connections. So much free food today, and I loved every second of it. Tomorrow, we get to meet David Baron, the author of The Beast in the Garden. Then, Connections is over (THREE HOURS EARLY!) And we get a whole day to recuperate before real school starts on Monday. 

College is fun. And stadium seating in the family rooms of Old Farm? Definitely cool. 

It's really a laughing matter.

aHem. Hmmm. aHEEmm. 

I apologize. I just have an important--and rather terrifying--announcement. Not that a whole lot of people read this and/or care, but as of Thursday afternoon, I will no longer be a full on brunette. [cue gasps and blonde jokes now.]

We're going for a little bit of this, mixed with a bit more blonde. Natural is a scary place to be, my friends, but here we go again. Also, so much for long lush locks. A couple inches past my shoulders and loads of layers is what I'm thinking. After all, I'm making about as many big changes in the next few weeks as I can handle...why not throw a vain change in there along with it?

I only have seven shifts left at work, and I didn't realize how weird that was until I realized that that means I only have three more nights of silverware rolling, two more batches of salsa to make, and seven more days to see all my favorite regulars. The very first couple I ever served came in today, and I laughed at how much things have changed in 10 months. I was terrified of this lady the first time, because she was all upset I didn't know she never drank the water and always ordered the same thing. Tonight though, I saw their car pull up in the far side of the parking lot and had their order sent before they even walked in. Old habits die hard, and that makes my job so much easier. I have a job interview up in Logan on Monday, and I'm super excited. Also terrified. Because that means a whole new set of reputations to build, new people to meet, and new jobs to learn. Oh well. C'est la vie. 

The Olympics are on right now too, and if cheering for hundreds of world class athletes from the USA doesn't make you proud to be an American, you have no heart. The women's gymnastics team took gold today, and Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic Gold. Crazy, how these athletes are known world-wide...and most of them are barely past their 20's. Makes you wonder what you're doing with your life, doesn't it? 

One last thing...if anyone has any extra tickets to Wicked that they'd like to get off their hands, I'd do it willingly. Just saying. 

It's only happened once.

#PC2012

An excellent adventure with my best friends. We ate a lot, shopped a lot, swam a lot, and laughed a lot. Highlights of the trip? 

Massive jacuzzis in both hotels. Which required all of us girls to take tool pictures, and take group showers in order to fully use up our available resources. Bubble bath beards like we were three? Check. Shower rotations, rather than waiting our turn? Double check. Tool pictures in the mirror? Triple check. (I left off the duck-face one, because I do have some dignity.) 

The boys were just down the hall from us, but we had all the food. So rather than being kind and giving them breakfast, we rationed them grapes and a carrot and made them fight for it in the first annual Utah Hunger Games. The response was underwhelmingly entertaining. 

While the rest of us girls were being game directors, Emily kicked me out of our bed and managed to take up an entire king by herself. Stay tuned for round two, which involves her in the same position, in a different hotel and bed. I'm still the one that gets kicked out. 

Slightly out of order, but this is when we tried to go to bed for the first time, around 2 am. Slowly, all of us girls reconvened in the main room until 4:45 am, laughing over nothing and taking all sorts of pictures. Friday morning, we got checked out of one hotel, and headed over to the outlets. Where we literally shopped until we--or the boys--were so sick of shopping they wanted to die. So we checked into our next hotel (we're not going to talk about the adventure we had finding it) and got ready for Emi's birthday dinner.

WE SAW BANKSY. Four Art History nerds meant that the rest of the group got dragged up and down Main Street while we tried to find the crazy cool art work left by this famous graffiti artist. I honestly don't think I've ever seen people so happy, and others in the same group so completely un-thrilled. Also, J. Kelly Oram commented on my picture on FB, so life is good. 

This isn't the best picture we took, but it accurately captures our excitement, and Kyle's...less than excitement. The difference was even more exaggerated Saturday when we dragged them through every gallery on Main Street in the 100 degree weather. Yay, art?? 

Part Two of the "Emily hates waking up and gets mad that we didn't tell her breakfast was ready" saga. It's enthralling, really. 

These two were meant to be friends. Really. 

Kelsey gave Emi and I sleeping masks for our birthdays, and this is our modeling picture. It's also at two am, so don't judge. And yes, we all slept in the same bed. What of it. 

When I say we went through every store in the outlets, I mean every store. We even made the boys go through Claire's. Maddy and Kyle really liked the hats in Columbia...and they went on an adventure, according to Maddy's face. 

I deleted the picture, but both mine and Emi's cars broke down in the space of three miles. Hers overheated in Parley's canyon, and we went to pick up Trent and Sadie to go in my car. As we were loading, I made the mistake of saying, "My car's working fine!" and three miles later, we were pulling off at 2100 South in SL because mine was overheated. Carma's a...wonderful person. (Hailee reference.) 

Long story short---AND I WANT DETAILS PEOPLE---this weekend was fantastic. Despite being completely sleep deprived and extremely exhausted, it was one of the best ways to celebrate a birthday we could have ever done. Thanks kids, for being the best friends a girl could ask for. 

Also, the countdown til I'm an adult (18 TIL 18 BABY) has officially started. Day One and Two? Spend a weekend in Park City with your best friends. Day Three? Plan the last girls' camp you'll ever attend. Stay tuned for days Four-18. It's an adventure in the making. 

Sheer, limitless, class.

Park City in 6 days, and I'm freaking out. It's going to be a blast. But while I'm (notso)patiently waiting for this adventure, we've been busy in this neck of the woods. 

My little sisters Aubrey and Emily had their ballet recital this weekend, and Mary--or #babyrapunzel--was jealous of their ballerina hair-dos. So I did hers too, and she proceeded to dance around all day long, until it was time for Lion King of course. These little girls are incredible dancers, each in their own way. As my mom put it, "Emily is a natural, and Aubrey? She just likes to be on stage." They're goofy, but they're beautiful. 

Speaking of the baby, she has an animal obsession. So we went on a field trip to the horses behind our house and she fed them an entire bag of carrots. I was freaking out--mainly because they have massive teeth and she's so little--but she was oblivious to the threat. Figures. 

ALSO. My best friend is home from Europe now. Three weeks without my favorite ginger was NOT. FUN. to say the least, and I'm so happy she's home. Not only did she bring me back a beautiful scarf from Italy, but now that she's home, gossip sessions can resume. Life is more exciting with Maddy around. 

In other news, this is my un-official promise ring. Who's it from? Stay tuned....

Thank you Europe, for returning the ginger home relatively unscathed, however sleep deprived. 

Just kidding. It's a thread from Hailee's shirt that she didn't want to litter Maddy's house with. Also, we're the only two not dating anybody [officially, or unofficially EMI] and were feeling left out of the love circle. So we staged a fake promise ring exchange. In case you were wondering, thread doesn't hold up very well through washing. FYI. 

Summertime, swimtime.

So I entered a giveaway for a Lime Ricki swimsuit via Pink Peonies. If you haven't checked out either of their sites, you definitely should, because they're great. Lime Ricki is a swimsuit company that makes modest--and super adorable--swimsuits for us girls that are interested in modesty and high fashion. They're adorable, and also affordable, unlike some of the other companies out there. Check them out here. And enter the giveaway if you want! It's worth a shot, huh?

Double or nothing.

Surreal. That was really the only way to describe how today felt. As I waited in line to turn into the north end this morning, grumbling as usual about the line of cars that were running behind like me, I couldn't help but think of everything that the last three years have taught me. Pulling into my parking spot, I watched as the lot filled up around me and laughed as the car next to me struggled to park straight--again. Walking in through the theaters, my nose filled with the distinct smell of the art classrooms and just north end in general, and the immediate lack of wi-fi frustrated my instagram addiction. I made my way to the commons, and took my place by the ramp to wait for everybody. Turning around slowly, I watched as the commons filled, and then the halls, and the main stairs became more and more crowded. My friends walked up and started conversations as usual, but my participation in these chats was limited by the ever present, "this is the last time we'll be doing this," thought in the back of my head. The bell rang, and there was almost a collective deep breath as we embarked on our final last day of school. Pushing my way through the main stairs like I have every day for the last three years, and veering around the corner to Dave's room, flash backs of the first time we walked in there flooded my brain. Sophomores, scared of school in general, and a foreign language wasn't helping anything. Now? That room is comfortable. Our corner is defined, and the sophomores are scared of us. Yelling "BYE DAVE" at the top of our lungs for the last time was almost irritatingly depressing, and eerily bizarre. During advisory, the pep rally in the main gym offered the perfect vantage point for us to watch almost all of the 2,400 kids at Davis High file in to congratulate our teams one last time. The awards were given, and the school song was sung. The cheer leaders did a dance we could all do in our sleep by now, and we yelled our "D," "H," "S's" louder than we ever had before, giving it all we had, because it was the last chance we had to give. The weirdest part of the day though? D-TV for the last time. Not only has that class in general changed my life, but our adviser completely altered the path I want to take in school and made me love things I never would have before. We watched our traditional parodies, and then sat down to listen to Terri read "Oh the Places You'll Go" for the last time. Terri doesn't cry, but at the line, "Kid, you'll move mountains." She looked around at all of us, and was almost there. I've devoted 16 class periods, countless hours, and way too much of my energy to that program. I even gave up prom last year for it. But when the juniors stood up to say thank you, I'm pretty sure that's when it hit me that we were done there. Us girls are all babies, and Sammy made us all cry. But the worst part was walking out of that room, a place where I have basically lived for the last three years (like ate all three meals there multiple times, gotten ready for games and assemblies, scrambled to finish homework, and slept on the floor way too many times lived) and saying, "peace out kids, good luck next year." It took more than a few deep breaths for me to come to terms with the fact that I'm done there, and there's no turning back. Our last sign off was weeks ago, but it didn't really register until today that I'm not part of that anymore. Signing yearbooks while the committees ran the BBQ was a little bizarre too, as we've run that thing for the last two years. Just another realization that we're done, and it's somebody elses turn to take charge. I'll be graduated in less than 48 hours, and will no longer be a part of Davis High. But right now, I can say for certain that it is definitely a great day to be a Dart.

All dressed up, nowhere to go.

It's been one of those weekends, where I'm craving something that I can't figure out. There's something out there I need to do, but I just can't decide what that is.
So. Rather than hurt my brain trying to find the reason, I resorted to hair dye again. Tomorrow evening...this lion's mane of hair will be new again. And really, I think I need to find a recovery group because this is getting out of hand. I guess there are worse things I could be doing, but all this dye is getting to my head. (Just kidding. But it does make me wish I had a cosmetologists' license. Really bad.)
Issue numero dos. Ragnar is in less than three weeks, and my legs total 19.8 miles. My longest leg is 7.3 miles, and I can't remember the last time I ran more than 5 consecutive miles--not counting last year's relay. Whoops. So starting June 2nd, you better believe this girl will be running her butt off, quite literally. Hopefully, I'll get some kind of tan in the process. Because swimsuits are no fun when you glow.

In other news, I have the greatest family on the planet. My grandpa owns a time share at the Marriott Mountainside Resort in Park City, and has his week the last week of June. Conveniently, nobody wanted it the last three days. Equally as convenient, Emi's 18th birthday is that Friday, and so we get three of the rooms for a fabulous 18th birthday retreat. My aunt and uncle agreed to play chaperone, so for two days and nights, us girls and the boys we decide we want there get to swim, eat, shop, and slide to our heart's content. It's kind of our last hurrah before everyone moves. And I'm so excited it isn't even funny. Another sign you're growing up? Your parents agree to let boys come on the trip with barely a moments thought. (Thanks Clint and Carrie for chaperoning.:))

I graduate in roughly 90 hours. And if that isn't the weirdest statement I have ever uttered, I don't know what is. It's finally coming. However, I have yet to find a dress. We'll work on that once the hair is done.

Almost there, just one more second.

While doing my usual pre-bedtime blog stalk, I read Maddy's blog. (Check it out here, if you don't already.) And she made this list of high school memories. Seeing as we have less than a week of school left before we hit the "real world," I figured it was only fitting for me to do the same. Here's a list of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I Remember:
1. That first day of high school, walking in feeling like I was completely lost. But so proud of my tan--recently acquired in Oregon, and my newly dyed hair. I had my priorities straight?
2. Helping Maddy do her hair for Homecoming sophomore year, and knowing that it would be a whole year until I could go to a dance was awful. BUT. That marked the first time we all got ready together.
3. AP World History just about killed me, and I remember feeling like the biggest idiot in that class, and in math. Not a good year for academics, other than English. Photography was also eye-opening. I think Anna and I did more in Photoshop than anybody else that year.
4. I remember taking Intro that year with Kelsey and feeling so cool that I had Terri for two whole class periods.
5. I remember taking family pictures November 20, and then randomly getting a text from Bronson, who I hadn't spoken to since the last day of ninth grade. He invited me over to his house, and I was the ONLY Davis person there. That was the first time I met Jared, Sam, Jackson, and all those kids. It also was the beginning of a long string of events.
6. I remember talking to Bronson two days after Christmas, and asking him how his family vacation was going, and being surprised when he told me he was coming home early. Why? "To say goodbye to Brian." I stayed up later that night talking to him than I ever had before.
7. New Years Eve sophomore year was the best one yet. Huge party at Hannah's, and everyone got together that night. The musical revue that next week was great, and watching Brian Regan at Bronson's house after was the first time of many. Poor Carla. Only one there without a boy.
8. I remember crashing Jessie Reid's birthday party at Flip's to bring cookies to everyone, and then leaving and documenting the entire adventure on camera.
9. I remember voice lessons with Karen Stephens trying to get ready for Musical Productions auditions, and being scared out of my mind for weeks.
10. I remember Emi and Bronson studying with me the night before my grandma died, and the bouquet of flowers that made everyone jealous.
11. I remember being at a family dinner, and preparing for the funeral when the Musical Productions list was posted, and being so stressed over telling my mom that I didn't make it, on top of everything else.
12. AP World Test. First of way too many, and being so scared I wouldn't pass. I did. :)
13. Sleeping over at my grandpa's with Emi the night before we went boating with everyone, and talking about purple roses and unicorns and asians. Then Maddy being stressed the next day because we were late to the party.
14. My 16th birthday party, and Megan running into Candace's car in her driveway. My first date, and Megan, Jared, and Bronson singing to me over cupcakes and a camp fire.
15. The Junior Committee parade float, and the picture we took that is quite literally the epitome of summer.
16. I remember my first day of junior year, feeling like I finally knew what I was doing...then getting to calc and AP bio, and regretting everything.
17. Homecoming, both Viewmont's and Davis'. Joy Luck, and lighting the table on fire at Jorgen's. Tearing the sleeve of my dress, and being the only one in my Viewmont group in a non-neutral. Pictures, both times.
18. HALLOWEEN. Go big or go home, and Joe's editing of Taylor Swift in the car. Epic face paint.
19. Christmas, and the scavenger hunt Jackson sent me on to answer. Revenge is sweet?
20. New Year's. Helping at the Kaysville City party with Emi and Dallin, and then hanging out at Annie's. Most awkward experience of my life.
21. Going to see HP 6 Part I with Annie, Jared, Sam, Emileah and Jackson. The snowball fight in the parking lot after, and Jared freaking out that a girl was in the car.
22. Viewmont-Murray hockey game, and driving with Emi and Annie in the middle of a blizzard. The phone call with Bronson on the way home, and the texts later that made everything okay again.
23. Sleeping over at Emi's while my family was in Oregon. BYU basketball game, and escorting for Mr. Dart, with six other girls.
24. Anaheim with D-TV. Winning best in show for layout, meeting the Ling sisters, Disneyland, the Tower of Terror 12 times, and calling Emi the second she got home from prom.
25. Crashing Viewmont's prom, and trying so hard to keep it a secret from everyone. The look on Morgan's face when she saw us, and the way she almost started crying. Dancing until we were bruised, and Danny leading the mosh pit during Sandstorm. Dancing in the fountain, and awkwardly running into Mal and Bronson when they walked to their car. Going out at 2:30 a.m. because my parents wanted me to tell the boys to leave, since they were still talking in the driveway.
26. Kyle's 18th birthday, and the list we made on postits. Hiding with Emi and Braxton in the neighbor's driveway, and nerf wars in his circle.
27. Girls' State with my best friends, and rooming with 3 complete strangers. Discovering that I hate politics, and trying to figure out where on earth half the girls were from.
28. Ragnar. And running Ragnar hill/hell. Jumping in East Canyon when it was 42 degrees.
29. Lake Powell. No cell phone service for a week, and sleeping outside under the stars every single night. Coming home the day before my birthday, and having my best friends in my driveway the next night. And coming home to the AP results...failing AP Biology.
30. Relationship counseling sessions with Braxton and Spencer on my hammock.
31. Starting senior year, in a totally new position, and spending time with Davis friends. Homecoming with my best friend of 11 years, and the biggest group known to man. Seeing all the Viewmont kids while we were at dinner, and the conversations that ensued.
32. Halloween, Christmas, Sadie's. All with my friends and the largest groups in the world.
33. First prom, with my favorite ginger. Driving in the corvette and watching How to Train Your Dragon afterwards.
34. The stress of D-TV. Figuring out who did what, and finally settling into a rhythm, in April.
35. The relief of finishing my last AP test.

Chronologically speaking, those are the most prominent memories, but I could go on for days really. The real point is though, that high school is almost over; and we're leaving behind the most influential time of our lives. We're so close to the real world that we can almost taste it, and the future is close enough to touch.
It's going to be a long five days before we can say we're through, but it'll come faster than we expect. And then? We're off.

I say it because I care.

Going through my phone today, I realized there was a lot of stuff I documented, and never posted about. So I figured I might as well, now that I have some time.

First of all! April 24th...Emi, Hailee and I went to see Go Radio. First of all, if any of you have never listened to them, that should change. Quickly. Because Jason Lancaster (Pictured ^^^^) easily has one of the greatest voices in the history of ever. He used to be part of a band called Mayday Parade, but split up from them a little while ago. If you're interested, look up "What If You Don't" or "Why I'm Home" on YouTube. I promise you won't regret it.

Go Radio performed, but so did this band from Oregon called This Providence. That extremely fine fellow up there would be Dan Young with my best friend. And yes, he was even greater in person. Look up "A Beautiful Rescue." His voice...mmmmm. British accent and that face. It makes everything okay.

We took AP tests this year, far too many of them if you ask me, and attended way too many study sessions. Art History reviews marked the birth of the Unicorner and reminded us that we're not maturing as quickly as we're growing up. It's probably fine.

After we took our various tests, we decided that having a Zupa's within five miles of our houses was the best/worst idea ever. Two times in a week can't be good...except it's so very, very good. That would be my favorite ginger on our second outing of the week with a chocolate strawberry as big as her face. (Not really, but still.)

We don't do a whole lot of extraordinary things, (except get my phone signed by Jason Lancaster. That was pretty freaking awesome.) but we do a lot of random, simple things. And frankly, it doesn't matter what I'm doing, as long as I'm with these kids. Because they're the ones that matter most.

One day down.

I graduated from seminary today. (!!!!!!!!) One graduation done, one to go. Basically, I'm terrified/scared/nervous/stoked/amazed/excited to be graduating. Because for soo long, we all dream of graduating, of moving on; and now that it's here, I really don't know what to do. So as I sat on my driveway pondering life with one of my best friends, I started thinking about everything I've done/wanted to do/never accomplished.

-I wanted to be a photographer. I took photography classes sophomore year, and have mindlessly searched photography tips for hours on end. But I guess I don't have the patience, or something, because it never worked out. However, I have had the chance to do shoots with some fabulous photographers, and I hope I get to do some more soon.
-I wanted to be a class officer/SBO. Ran twice, but it never worked out. Looking back though, it's better that way. I had the opportunity to do so many other things that I wouldn't have been able to if I was busy being official. I did however, get to be part of the junior and senior class committees, which was basically the same thing without the jacket. I'd recommend it to anyone. :)
-I've always wanted to be a designer. I love clothes, color, and fashion, and I stalk websites and blogs continually. This year, I got to be part of the design board for the 2012 Prom Line at Kathleen's Bridal and Formal Wear in Kaysville. It was just a small realization of a silly dream, but it happened. And my prom dress was even more special since I got to help design it.
-I wanted to sing and dance on stage. I have an almost unhealthy obsession with Broadway, and I would have loved to be a part of that. But Musical Productions never worked out, and I haven't been able to find the time for any outside theater either. I have gained a better appreciation for the "arts" though, and I never miss a performance that my friends are in.
-I wanted to be on TV. Stupid, huh? But by participating in D-TV for the last 3 years, I had the chance to do just that every single week. Sure, it wasn't national television or even a local news network. But the people I was with everyday saw it, so it was kind of the same thing.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I've done just about everything I wanted to in the last three years. No, I'm not some world renowned photographer, and my voice will never sell millions of CDs. But I'm proud of who I am, and the things I've done. And? I'm more than a little excited for the future.

In a somewhat related side note, I may or may not be participating in the Miss Kaysville-Fruit Heights pageant. We'll see.

What if I call you darling?

AP tests? Conquered. Compared to last year, they basically rocked. Because I despise science and don't particularly enjoy math--which should make you ask, "Then why in the heck did you take AP Biology and Calculus last year?" And to be quite honest, I have no idea. BUT. I redeemed myself by taking AP Art History and AP English Literature/Language this year. Loads better. I actually enjoy these subjects, and am interested in those fields. Novel idea, really. But either way, they're all over. Which means besides participation points, senior year is basically over too. 

Weird. 

I graduate in 15 very short days. How am I announcing this tidbit of information to the population of the free world that I actually care about? Oh, with these little beauties. I decided that I'd take my years of designing papers (and the fact that I had to do them myself because of mild to severe OCD) and make something that I liked. So here ya have it. No, they are not in my school colors, except for the gold "D." But even that's a stretch, since it's chosen directly out of the picture. I like 'em. Lemme know what you think. (ps. the photo was taken by Ashley Strassburger. you can visit her website here or look at her FB page here. She's great, really. And she shares my name. There's nothing better.) 

I have to finish my Financial Literacy packets ASAP if I want to graduate....no worries, I just need to focus....and I have a talk to write for seminary graduation. But frankly? I'm just reveling in the fact that for the next 92 days, I'm a free soul. And by free, I mean swimsuit wearing, hair-dye experimenting, summer loving, money making free soul. 

It's a glorious realization. 

Really though, who can say.

Everything is winding down, but I still feel like I have way too much on my plate. Between school, work, YW, youth court, and attempting to maintain some kind of social life while keeping up with my family, I have no time for anything...while still doing everything. It's puzzling, really.
I found a dress for cotillion, (it pays to have an uncle who is dating a girl who wears the same size as you do. WINNING.) but now I've gotta find some fantastic shoes to go with it.
I'm in the home stretch for AP classes, but now I've got to finish Financial Lit. and pass Fit for Life.
Life is a whole bunch of "this, but this," statements, and it's starting to drive me crazy. Welp.

In other news, I have to teach the combined YW lesson this Sunday on the importance of temple marriage and dating for the temple. Somehow, our Heavenly Father has these odd little ways of teaching you what you need to hear by making you prepare it for others. I also have to speak at seminary graduation about how seminary has impacted my testimony of the Savior. Needless to say, I'm a stressing out a little. The second my AP stuff is done, my scriptures are going to have to become my permanent sidekick.

I guess that's another point I need to make, and I'm going to make it in public. I'm moving out in roughly 90 days..which means I have 90 days to cement in my brain the importance of good habits. Scripture study, prayer, exercise, good food...you name it. I need to work on it. I'm so glad I'll be rooming with five girls who share the same standards I do, and who have the same priorities I do. But that doesn't change the fact that I need to work on it for myself. Starting May 17th, the number one goal is building healthy habits. Maybe I'll even document it. Who knows.

I get bored far too easily.

I have the attention span of a small child, and the patience of an even smaller human being. So, rather than waiting for my friend to hurry up and get married so she could start doing my hair again, I went ahead and scheduled an appointment at a real salon. (Gasp! This never happens. Like, ever. I'm all for Sally Beauty, bathroom sinks, and Sweet Home Alabama in the background of the Brian's or Smith's houses. Sue me.)
But I digress.
Since I was in seventh grade, I've had this nearly obsessive need for physical change. You name it, I've done it. Except tattoos. Extreme diets? Check. Over-exercise? Check. Every hair color from platinum to nearly black? Check. I don't know what it is, but something about being able to make me, the person I want to be never ceases to entertain me. That, and the fact that I can't do anything the same way for too long. Repetition not only bores me, but it terrifies me. What if someday, I get used to doing something one way for so long, that I can't do it any other way???
The fear is unwarranted, irrational, and silly. But I can't help it.

On a related note, prom is this Saturday. I. Am. So. Excited. I'm going with Matt Mansfield, one of my good friends, and I'm so glad I don't have to worry about impressing him. He's a sweetheart, and has already proved to me time and time again that this is going to be a great night, but it's nice to know that there's no pressure. My dress is fantastic, my date is a sweetheart, and oh! I GET TO RIDE IN A CORVETTE. Yeah, yeah, it's happened before and I've even driven one. But talk about arriving with class. We're going to look smoking.


So basically, life is good. And I get to feed my hair dye addiction tomorrow. Yay life!

Also, follow me on Instagram (ashlindberg) or on Twitter (@smash717) if you're not already. It'll be fun, I promise.

A work in progress

Isn't that what life is when it all comes down to it?

Sometimes, I think my life especially is continually being changed, upgraded, and "re-programmed," in a sense.

Making it bigger, better, and so much more enjoyable.

But who am I? And where exactly am I going? Let me tell you.

I am a seventeen year old girl who loves to laugh.

I socialize more than is probably good, and I have a tendency to talk too much.

I love little kids, sparkles, Audrey Hepburn, and the word "hope."

I want to be a broadcast journalist or an elementary school teacher someday,

And next year I'll be up at Utah State working on those dreams.

I have an unnatural love for hockey, lacrosse, and all things vintage.

I post quotes like some people eat cookies.

My life revolves around my family, the Church, and the idea of forever.

My friends make my world go round, books make everything okay.

Chinese food and sushi make me smile even when it is 10 degrees outside,

And I enjoy getting to know new people.

This site here is a catalog of my dreams (and some nightmares), random facts,

more music than you can probably handle, hopefully more than a few pictures, and a snapshot of

life.

Enjoy it. I sure do.