Words with Friends

I got to see a few friends while I was visiting my home sweet home last week.

DJ:

Look who signed his new hat!

Melissa Jane (that's Elder BF's sweet, sweet sister. She showed up to lunch with a bouquet (pictured on the right) and said that Curbsy had emailed her that week and asked her to pick up some flowers and give them to me for my birthday. Seriously???? How kind are they!)

I saw Alyssa, who is not pictured unfortunately and then last but not least, I also saw Stiney.
And then I made her hold up the shirt I got her and tie a bow in her hair.
That's why she's the best.


It's weird to think that life goes on for all my besties while we are nearly 3000 miles apart but I am grateful it does because life is wonderful. They are all progressing in ways we couldn't have guessed a year ago.

Thanks for taking the time to see me, my lovelies! I'm sorry to my friends who I didn't get to see, please forgive me. I guess all y'all will just have to come visit me in the sunshine state sometime!

Nigel & Rosie

I'm sure you know my obsession with pugs. I'm so obsessed, in fact, that the majority of my birthday dinner was spent talking about them with my family and showing them pictures of my babies on Pinterest. Nice. During my embarrassing display of weakness for these adorable creatures, my Dad mentioned that he knew someone who had two pugs. Thanks Dad. I am now jealous of this random woman that I haven't ever met.

Fast forward a couple hours and right before I was about to go to bed on my birthday night, my Dad showed me a message conversation he had on Facebook with this pug acquaintance a few hours prior. The jist of it was the following:

Dad: My daughter's obsessed with pugs. Is there any way possible she might be able to stop by for a few minutes sometime this week and visit yours and ask you questions about them?
Nicest (pug) lady on Earth: Of course!

What?!?! Is this real life? Did I just win the lottery? The kind soul lottery, I think! Eagerly, I text this nice woman, set up an appointment for the next day, and could barely sleep that night. Seriously, it felt like Christmas.

FINALLY, the morning rolled in and DJ and I went to visit Rosie and Nigel. Oh my heavens, I was in heaven. I lead a very happy life and I can easily list off to you moments in my life that have made me genuinely happy and this, my friends, will go on the list. (A few other things on that list include my baptism, going to Disneyland with my family on Christmas, the Jo Bros concert with MP in 2009, getting a lead role in my school play in 10th grade, my first kiss with Mr. C, getting accepted into the Entertainment Dept. at WDW. And that's just skimming the surface. Blessed? I think yes.) This was my first interaction EVER with pugs and it just sealed the deal, I want Florence more than ever now. 

Nigel on my right, Rosie on my left.

 

 

So basically I had to force the pugs to sit with me but DJ, who didn't really care for them at the time didn't have to do anything and they just naturally gravitated towards him and wouldn't leave him.... Psh. Pug whisperer.

Thank you so much to my Daddy for setting this up, DJ for coming a long with me, and the kindest lady on Earth who was just so gracious to let two strangers in to her home and play with her babies for a few minutes. 20 was starting off pretty wonderfully... and it only got better.

Let's do this.

What. A. Year.
2012, Y U BE SO CRAY CRAY?
However, I am so grateful for it and all the many blessings it brought me!
Let's review, shall we?

• I turned 19.
• I quit my job in retail.
• I got accepted into the Disney College Program as a full service restaurant hostess.
• I went to my first Jazz game with DJ.
• I got a waitress job.
• My very good friend, Stuart, left on a mission for Lansing, Michigan.
• I walked into a men's bathroom on accident.
• I auditioned for an entertainment internship at Disney World.
• I attended my first Color Festival (holy chalk).
• Danielle successfully coordinated a 'Best Buddies Palooza' at the high school she works at.
• I dyed Easter Eggs for the first time.
• I learned I got accepted into the entertainment department at Walt Disney World.
• Curbsy got his mission call to the New York New York, North Mission.
• Brannigan turned ONE.
• Curt and I celebrated our two year anniversary.
• I went 4-wheeling for the first time.
• I went to the midnight premiere of Batman. (nananananannananana)
• Mr. C became Elder Boyfriend on July 25th when he entered the MTC in Provo, UT.
• Daren organized the First Annual Bigfoot Awareness Run.
• I quite my waitress job.
• My Daddy entered his play, 'The Fork' in a contest... it won ps. NBD.
• I went to Lagoon.
• I helped MP with her yard sale to raise money for her humanitarian trip to India.
• I saw Elder Boyfriend playing soccer outside the MTC. Eeek!
• My Mama and I went on a 4-day road trip with the final destination being Orlando, Florida.
• I started my entertainment internship with Disney.
• Mama traveled to England to visit her parents.
• Puppy.
• I seriously cut my finger THREE TIMES trying to slice a mango. (#pathetic)
• Daddy and Dano came to Florida to visit me for a few days.
• Reader.
• No more brown eyes for me! I got blue contacts.
• Gum got stuck in my hair. Gum.
• I came down with laryngitis and a sinus infection.
• Fish.
• I took a spur of the moment trip home over Thanksgiving.
• My extension request was accepted, resulting in my internship ending in May rather than January.
• I passed the class I took while here in Florida.
• The New Fantasyland opened at Walt Disney World (I was a part of the opening. No big deal).
• My Dad's play, "The First Christmas" had a very successful run at the Scera.
• My dear friend, Erin, got engaged.
• I survived my first Christmas away from home (To me, that is an accomplishment).

On December 31, 2011, I would have never, in ONE MILLION years have guessed that I would be blogging from my home in Orlando, Florida in exactly one year. I specifically remember being a grumpy gills on the way to the family party that night. I had no idea where 2012 was going to take me, all I could see was a college education that was never going to end and a boyfriend that was going to "leave me" in six months. I would have never guessed that I would have my dream job and that I would be as happy as I am 365 days later. I am beyond blessed to be doing what I'm doing and having the support that I do. Thank you friends and family for always cheering me on. Love you all, and may 2013 bring us even more happiness than 2012 (... wow. It's crazy to think things can get better than they are now, but I know they can, and WILL. Happy 2013, my friends! Let's do this).

Thanksgiving Part 3

Due to the short amount of time I had at home, I didn't get to see all my friends. In fact, I didn't get to see even close to all my friends. So that's sad. But what was happy was that a few were able to squeeze me into their schedules.

 

First, I visited this sweet girl (Elder Boyfriend's sister):

 

 

Plus, Elder Boyfriend's mama and papa! Driving to his house, seeing the lights at Riverwoods, and listening to Christmas music brought back so many memories. Gosh, I love this season. And Elder Boyfriend. And his family. So catching up with them was absolutely amazing and just what I needed.

 

Next up was my other half, my partner in crime, my co-president, my future roommate, my Miss. Chris:

 

 

Basically Stiney and I knew each other all throughout high school, had amazing times together in d.co and then at the end of senior year we asked each other, 'Why haven't we been best friends these past four years and why aren't we best friends now?' Sooooo uhhh yeah. She's my bestie. I love her to pieces and I am so grateful that we are able to go several months without seeing each other but are able to pick up right where we left off.

Next up was DJ! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. What a great guy. This buddy of mine took me to Senior Ball in high school and has seen me at my best times and also my worst times. But my favorite thing about him is that he doesn't judge. Thanks to him, I can be myself and not worry about what people think of me.

 

 

I didn't get home til 2am which is 4am Florida time which means I was exhausted (so much for resting). Buuuuuuuut it was an amazing night. It doesn't get better than family and friends. I'm sorry to my friends who I didn't get to see but thank you to my friends who I did get to see. Maybe I'll get laryngitis again soon and I'll be able to see more of my peeps! Fingers crossed (just kidding).

 

Next up, Thanksgiving itself!

to be continued...

Lagoon

On Monday I went to Lagoon with my good friend, DJ.

 

 

I got to eat a whole churro by myself.



 

And I rode the carousel and loved every minute of it.

 

 

We also rode the ferris wheel and stayed at the very top for a little too long in my opinion.

(Scary larry it's high and shaky.)

 

Deej didn't have to invite me, but he did.

And to him I say, THANK YOU!

It was a much needed distraction--

but also, just plain fun.

 

What a pal.



BFF

Because on National Best Friend day, you take a buddy and visit another buddy at work.

(And eat delicious ice cream... WITH CHURROS.)

Tonight We Egg Dyed.

I dyed eggs for the first time tonight.
Yes, Easter is over but that means yes, all supplies were on sale.
(And so was all the Easter candy, but don't worry, I resisted.)

DJ was super thrilled to get his picture taken.

We chose princess eggs because, well, why not?
The box came with friendship bracelets.
And that is why I love Disney.

I was able to wear the apron that Dare Bear's Mama made me.

Ca-ute! (And I didn't even get it dirty.)

Pretty colors.

While we waited for our eggs to dye, we skyped Mr. C.

The poor guy had a paper to write so he couldn't join us.

Finished product.

What a success! It was quite fun and I can finally check it off my bucket list.

However, I've got a question for the world:

Now that I've dyed the eggs, what do I do now?

Eat them?

Stare at them?

Other?

I suppose I will never know.

Elder DJ

Ya know, DJ?
That awesome kid who is also one of my best friends?
I saw him for the last time for two years today.

That's right, he, like Elder McGraw, is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I am SO proud of him!

But it's also a rather bittersweet day.

DJ is my brother from another mother!

Speaking of mothers! (...or relatives, rather...) His Mom and my Aunt knew each other when they lived in Hawaii about 35 years ago.

AND!

My voice teacher and his Dad knew each other in the musical theater world around their college days.

What a small world.
Basically, I think he and I were truly just meant to be friends.
Thank you universe!

Deej has been one of my closest friends for about a year and a half all thanks to his hilarious pictures of the day, genuine listening ear, and witty sense of humor.

What a guy.
I could never have asked for a better friend.
And Canada could not have asked a better missionary!

Go get 'em, Connor. Make us proud!
And I'll see you in two years... eh?

It's simple days like these that remind me life is good.

What. A. Day.
I believe this is how all Sunday's should be. (No work on Sunday's is divine.)
I was blessed to have the opportunity of seeing some friends I haven't seen for a while, as well as catch up with some family members who are normally pretty dang busy during the week (or who live elsewhere).


The day started with picking Curbs up to go to Stu's mission farewell. (If you didn't see the post about Stu, he's going to Lansing, Michigan for two years. He leaves on Wednesday. Ahh!) In that meeting, Stuart made me CRY. That's right, his way with words is inspiring and his testimony floors me. Good for him.


After the meeting, I visited with some good friends (Chris and DJ), and then took Curbs home. However, before he got out of the car, I made him take a few pictures with me. Why? Because I hadn't seen him in 3 and a half weeks, that's why! I sure missed him so it was good to catch up.


Fast forward to Dano and I at home, eating super healthy lunches (sarcasm, in case you couldn't tell), to spilling our guts out for about 4 hours straight. Can you believe that? We were really just chatting the whole time. From that I learned two things:


1. My sister's awesome. (Well, I already knew that obviously but this pow wow reaffirmed it once again to me.) And...


2. Time truly does fly when you're having fun.


After a scrumptious dinner prepared for by Mama, Dano obliged me in letting me take pictures of her... and isn't she beautiful? My favorite is below:


It just seems so Dano to me! Especially accompanied by the light snowfall. Her smile is refreshing to my SOUL.


Following the shoot, Keke and Dare Bear came over to our home, where we exchanged cutie-patootie Valentine's day cards and candies. (I am officially sugared out as of this moment.)


After that, we sat around the fire and exchanged stories from our childhoods and ladies and gentlemen, I don't think I've laughed that hard in MONTHS! How funny are little kids? And how much funnIER is picturing our loved ones do stupid things as kids?


After Keke and Dare Bear left to go back home, Mama, Paps, and Dano agreed to watch Harper's Island with me, a super scary mini TV series resembling the plot of Agatha Christie's novel, "And Then There Were None/Ten Little Indians". Gee wilickers it's intense! And though my family aren't as big of fans as it as I am, they were sure awesome to give it a try with me!


And that brings us to now, my friends. I am sitting on my bed, typing this blog post and wondering how I got so lucky in this life to be blessed with such wonderful people. If I've mentioned you in this post, I for sure love you. If I haven't... I still for sure love you. Basically, unless I've ever said, "I don't love you," you can pretty much assume you're on my favorites list:)

Thanks to all those who made today special.
It's simple days like these that remind me life is good.

We are Utah.

A couple weeks ago, for my birthday, my good friend, DJ, asked me to accompany him to a Jazz game on the 30th of January... Ummmm has everybody been to a Jazz game but me?? WE ARE UTAH. Oh my heavens it was the greatest thing ever!! The music, the energy, the GAME! However, I'm getting ahead of myself...

DJ was planning on picking me up at 4:20pm but after not getting home from my last shift at VS until 2am that morning and then waking up a few hours later for my last shift at the doctor's office, I was exhausted by the time I got home. So exhausted in fact that when I got home at 3:00, I decided to lay down for five minutes... at 4:12 I wake up to the garage opening... My stomach dropped to the ground. Ladies and gents, 8 minutes to get ready for a date...? Impossible. However, thanks to a miracle and DJ being so kind to get gasoline beforehand, once he arrived at my house, I only made him wait in my front room for about two minutes. Not too shabby, eh?

The way up to Salt Lake was a joyous one; filled with music, jokes, and the gossip of the town (just kidding about that last part), and eventually we got off the freeway and ended up driving through and around a small neighborhood... since I am wretched with directions, I just presumed this was a special way to get to Energy Solutions but eventually, I paid attention to my surroundings and and BOOM. Where could we be the one and only Mr. and Mrs. Daren Lifferth's house!

this is them. aren't they cute?

After a few comings, goings, and shuffling around, eventually, the four of us enjoyed delicious salad, garlic bread, root beer (on tap), and pizza at Litza's Pizza. De-lish! Unfortunately though, dinner had to come to an end ultimately we bid the two lovebirds adieu and made our way to the game...

This is us at the game:
It was the funnest thing ever!!!!!!! I have been missing OUT the seven years I have been living in dear old Utah. My goodness, as mentioned before, the energy was incredible. There was cheering, and laughing, occasional booing, but most importantly, liveliness. I've been missing liveliness in my personal life recently so this was... refreshing, to say the least.

the view.

i think i found the Questar blimp a little too amusing.
but hey, it was cool, okay?

Thankfully, after a nail biting game (for me anyway) the Jazz beat the trail blazers, 93-89. Go Jazz Go! Go Jazz Go! Go Jazz Go! There was much celebrating, but the coolest of all was the streamers that came down from the ceiling on the final buzzer. That was a first, that's for sure:

Following Dare Bear and Keke being real gems and picking us up at the stadium, DJ and I drove safely back to Utah County (in Santana the Silverado), in which when we arrived to my home, we had a lovely pow wow about life, and then called it a night because unfortunately, our hectic lives that we had just spent an hour talking about, had to resume eventually.

... But I wish it didn't have to! Deej, thanks so much for my birthday present and being so kind by involving my sister and her husband as a surprise... Due to work on Sunday, I wasn't able to see her at family dinner and so I had really missed her. You're so thoughtful DJ, I really needed that. THANK YOU!!

Oh, I almost forgot! We unintentionally sat close to a friend from high school! It was quite a surprise. Here he is:

Okay, that's all.