Spring Break, baby!

March 6th, 2011 was the first day of one beautiful week. Three weeks ago today, I was driving for what seemed like an absolute eternity. Remind me to save up my mula and do the airplane thing in the future. However, I was riding with a pretty fun group of peeps so it wasn't as miserable as that long drive to San Diego, California could have been. Let me now preface the story:

At my darling friend Madi Dodd's missionary farewell the week before, I was talking to my friend Karen Schmidt about spring break plans. Most of my friends already had plans or had to stay in Logan to work. I had gone on the trip of a lifetime (aka: Hawaii) just a few months before, so I shouldn't have been itching to go anywhere. But for some reason, I HAD to get out of Cache Valley. I had to get away from my life here and just have fun. So, I was devising a few different options of potential Spring Break plans. When Karen invited me to go to San Diego with her and a group of friends, I had absolutely no hesitations. Put me on board! And get me to some sun and warmth. ASAP.

So, six of us took off in the "Burb". Karen's brother kindly lent his sweet car to us and we drove the 15 hours to Cali. The first day in San Diego was a little chilly. But after that, it was warmth and beauty. I could totally get used to living by the beach. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love me some Utah mountains, but I would give them up for a while to live on the coast somewhere. The lifestyle just seems so chill and laid back. I love it! Here are a few pictures of the adventures in Cali.

Loading up in the "Burb"

The gang checking out a cool battleship from WWII

Throwing our pennies into the wishing fountain

We found a carousel at Seaport village. Childhood dreams coming true :)

San Diego, CA. Watching the sunset from the pier at Seaport.

Pacific Beach

Playing football

Getting buried in sand...or even better stated, getting abused.

A perfect day at the beach

The best drinks ever. D-Lush.

Bonfire on the beeeeeach

Riding bikes at Coronado

The San Diego Temple

Our ouchies :(

After three fantastic days in the sunshine of San Diego, we packed up the Burb and headed back to Las Vegas. We stayed in the Excalibur on the Stip....real classy, I know. I'm pretty sure that half of Utah State was in Vegas that weekend too. It was the WAC Tournament so you better believe that we got our tickets and supported our Aggies! Best part of it? WE WON the tourney! I've never sung the Scotsman so proudly. :) We also did a lot of other fun things, including two broadway shows. Karen and I were totally the show junkies of the group. I'm glad that she was there to go with me. We saw The Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian and The Lion King at Mandalay Bay. I literally got chills during the shows. They were UNREAL! Here are a few photos (and a video) of our adventures in Sin City.

Watching the water show at the Bellagio

The Phantom of the Opera

After the semifinal game of the WAC. Aggies won.

Three of THE cutest girls I have ever met.



My dear friend Ryan Neeley LOVES to dance. He even won some sweet stuff in Vegas for winning a dance-off. While laying out at the pool, there was a little dance party that started in the corner. The dancing consisted of...well, mostly dirty dancing. So good ol' Ryan decided to show everyone the right way to dance. They didn't really know how to react to him haha. Please enjoy this as much as we did :)

Doing baptisms at the Las Vegas Temple

The crew at The Lion King

Rushing the court after a stellar win! WAC Champions!

Celebrating on the court with all the fans

The trophy, baby!

Needles to say, it was a fantastic Spring Break. It was just what I needed. A week away from reality with a new group of people. I had a blast. Sometimes I wish that I could return for just a few days. In a dream world, it would be Spring Break every week. I will say though, by the 6th and final day, I was missing my life just a smidge. I missed eating my mom's home-cooked meals. I missed my pops asking me how my day went every day. I missed my little brothers constant sports analysis and chatter/the never ending sound of basketballs in my house. I even missed my older brother quietly popping in and out of the kitchen and chatting with him about life, dating, the future, etc. I was happy to come back to good ol' Logan, Utah. After a week of sleeping in foreign beds and eating out, I realized just how much I love my home and family. Just like Dorthy said in The Wizard of Oz,

There's no place like home.

Musical Genius

Two words: Sara B.


Sara Bareilles is one of my favorite music artists. She is brilliant when it comes to music. She can sing flawlessly, play the piano like a pro, and even play the guitar. She is amazing. If I could have anyone's voice, she would definitely be in the running along with Celine Dion, Lea Michele, Carrie Underwood, Idina Menzel, Whitney Houston, and a few others.

Why am I going on about her? Well, because lately I've been obsessing in this cover she did of Coldplay's song "Yellow". It is so good. If I could half just a drop of the musical genius that she has, I'd be set for life. Seriously. Here is the video of "Yellow" along with another arrangements "Single Ladies" that she's done. You'll fall in love with her too. Watch out. And enjoy!

Puzzle Pieces

Have you ever tried putting together a puzzle? The very beginning stage can seem confusing with all of the pieces scattered everywhere. They seem to have absolutely no connection and make zero sense. But when the puzzle is finally put together, it makes sense. The picture is complete. Well, in a way, my post today is just that. It's a bunch of random bits of my mind being put together in an online journal. But when it's all said and done, these random bits all combined simply create me. And if anything, at least that makes sense to myself. :)

So first off, Hannah at Fashion Diary of a Mormon Girl tagged me in her blog post. So I am continuing the blogging fun! It's this little game called "The Handwriting Game" that tells a little bit about myself and shows my handwriting. Kinda fun!

The last step is to tag 3 other bloggers so they can continue to the game. I tagged my friends Lauren, Blair and Kelsey....all of which have darling blogs that I read on a regular basis. Thanks Hannah for tagging me and letting me be a part of the fun!

This past week was Sisterhood Week with the IWA (Institute Women's Association). This was mine and Sarah Smith's big project for the year and needless to say, it turned out pretty awesome! There were some fun classes including Zumba, Crepe-making and a dating class. Now, I was a little timid about having a dating class but holy smokes, it was a big hit! Brother Hunsaker, a teacher up at the Institute, taught the class and did a fantastic job. The main idea was living our lives by principle rather than by circumstance. Here are a few of the thoughts that I wrote down during his lesson.

• Do you carry the gospel or does the gospel carry you?
• The Spirit won't ever talk when it's convenient. He wants to see if we'll listen.
• Happiness comes when we choose to live by eternal things. Satan can't manipulate truth, because it is eternal.
• When you live by principle, you have power to do very hard things.

Now for the dating advice:

• Purpose of a date: to learn about your date and serve him
• If he doesn't call you again, you will be fine because it wasn't all about you.
• Don't connect the circumstance with the principle.

Finally, he ended by talking about getting our hearts broken, something that is a fear for everyone. I would absolutely list that in the top 5 things I am most afraid of. He quoted C.S. Lewis:

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket--safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable."

Beautifully said. I firmly believe that everyone that has ever felt even a little bit of heartache has wanted to lock their hearts and throw away the key. I can only imagine what it would be like to have a major heartbreak. This quote is pretty awesome. True happiness comes from things eternal. Love is eternal, so why shut our hearts away from that thing can can bring us true happiness?

Alright now for a little weekly update. I will take care of this through pictures. Enjoy!

Visiting my cousin Melissa and her baby Max in the hospital.

Out with the family.

Once upon a time I blogged about a snowstorm. It happened again.

The last Utah State home game of the season.

With my cute friend Whitli.

I LOVE UTAH STATE BASKETBALL!

For my last puzzle piece, I have to make note of the thing that has brought me sanity this past week. Sara Bareilles radio on Padora. I'm not kidding, I have been listening to it on my computer, on my phone getting ready in the morning, at work...almost 24/7. I'm afraid that I'm going to have my 40 hours maxed out for March before this first week is even over. Might I highly recommend that station though. Other current favorite Pandora stations include: Adele, Glee Cast, and Disney. I'm always open to new suggestions too. :)

Well, this upcoming week is Spring Break and I cannot even express how happy I am for a week off of school. No scratch that, more like a week off of life. I love breaks and everybody needs one once in a while. Spring break: just one more piece to add to the puzzle of my life.