thank you :)

I know everybody else has done this exact same thing, so I should probably do it too, yeah?

I'm thankful for:

--My family. This is the first year that I haven't spent Thanksgiving with them and it's been super weird. You know, cuz I kinda miss them. We have lots of fun together, and I'm real glad they let me stay another year instead of kickin me out :) I'm also grateful for a very fun extended family. They're the only reason I'd want to have more than two kids--so we can have freakin awesome family parties and fun trips (Shout out to Robyn and Rick--thanks for bringing me to Bryce Canyon this weekend!)

--My super amazing friends! I guess you never know a good thing til it's gone, right? I knew I had fantastic friends, but I had no idea I'd miss them so much! But I love when they come home to visit, and I'm so grateful to always have people around that I can go to with anything.

--Our beautiful earth. It's just gorgeous! No words.

--Music. I always have a song playing in my mind, my life would be so boring without it.

--A cozy bed. And sleep.

--Technology (insert song by Kip Dynamite here). I love being able to stay in touch with my friends that are away...and creep on everybody else ;)

--Diet Coke.

--A grandma who got me hooked on Diet Coke. And musicals. She'll never get me when it comes to killing shows, though.

--Artists. Seriously! They give all of their time to create something for other people to enjoy. Right now, I'm thankful for Kathryn Stockett, the author of The Help, and Kelly Clarkson and Coldplay, with their new CDs. They've been entertaining for the past few days :)

--Cozy pants. They go real well with the Diet Coke.

--School. I mean, as much as it pains me to say that with finals just a week away, I really am grateful for it. I wouldn't have anything to do with my life otherwise, and I know (or at least really, really hope) that it'll benefit me down the road.

--A job. Gotta pay for school and my car and my Diet Coke :)

--My cars! Sadie and Rhonda, may she rest in peace. I spend more time in my car than anywhere else, except maybe my bed... But Sadie is one of my best friends! She sings along to the radio with me, she just keeps goin when I need to cry, and she's always up for a drive! I miss my Rhonda, but I'm definitely grateful for Sadie :)

--Paris. I don't have many goals, but Paris is one. I'm grateful for something to look forward to.

--The temple. I'm looking forward to going there too :)

I've been given so much, and I really am grateful for all of it. Everything. Except for spiders and mosquitoes. Especially when the spiders are in my basement. But besides those, I'm thankful for it all. I guess what I want most is a way to be able to express my gratitude for it every day.

I....changed my mind?

Just need to correct something from a couple posts ago...mostly for my friend Shelby Ballif...

I'm not going to New York.

Sad face.

Why not? Well. I don't know.

You know when something feels real good and you're just so excited?? And then, one day, it just doesn't feel so good and you don't feel so excited and you don't even know why? Yep. That's me.

I'm kinda really sad about it. But. I know enough to not do something when it doesn't feel right. Maybe that would be my conscience telling me to spend that money on college tuition instead of Broadway shows? Priorities. Psh.

So. If anyone has some words that would make me feel better about not going on that six day adventure, it'd be real helpful. I kinda need it.

In other news, the Garlick guy won, even though he didn't give away free bread. Guess he didn't need my campaigning advice. Darn.

two firsts and some random thoughts

Friends, I tell you all of this, only because I know you're just dying to know these bizarre things about my life. So...you're welcome? Or more like, thanks, all three people that read this! You make me happy :)

Okay, my first first... I promise that makes sense?

I voted for the very first time!! Mmm yeah bring on the city councilmen!

Okay, let's be real for two seconds. Do I know who to vote for? Um...no. Do I know what city councilmen even do? Um...no. Mostly, I just listened to my parents talk about these people and then I picked three. One of the guys' last names was Garlick. So funny story.

Me: "You know, if he gave out free garlic bread, I would vote for him."

My mom: "He doesn't even spell his name like that."

Me: "So?? Free garlic bread, Mom."

My mom: "You would vote for anyone who gave you bread."

So I pose this question--WHO WOULDN'T vote for someone who gave out free bread?? Just a thought.

Second first...

I went to Zumba!! And....I probably looked real retarded. But who cares right?? It was so dang fun. My mom wouldn't go with me, she says she doesn't have any rhythm. But she beats me every time we play Just Dance so...I challenge that. And it really is like Just Dance! Except you can't do it in your pajamas and there a lot more people there to judge you. But so what? It was a party :)

So I got home from the gym and Biggest Loser was on. Favorite show ever!! I also happened to have a Toblerone sitting next to my TV from Halloween...man, that one took resistance. But alas! The Toblerone remains untouched. Three points for me (everything is more fun if you give yourself points. I promise.)

I've driven past the high school a couple times over the last few evenings. Seeing all the cars of those cute little Musical Productions kids makes my heart ache. It first aches for them, because I know they're all dying because they're getting four hours of sleep and not getting all of their homework done. All for the love the art :) But then it aches because my car isn't there with them. Not that I would want to go back to high school...never ever...but that was my favorite part of all three years. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything, not even for all the Toblerone in the whole world.

To the cast and crew of Fiddler on the Roof, I wish I could be there with you. I know you're doing fantastic things. Play hard this week! Solidarity :)

To Nick and Nate, go rock the world. The people in the Philippines are going to love you! Probably not as much as I do, but you know...be good, boys.

To you, my friend, thanks for reading this. And for stickin it out until the end. Go team.