Highlights of 2011

Oh what a year this one has been!!! So many good times and good experiences.  Today I was reflecting back on this past year and all the things I've done, and forgot how much has happened!

I said goodbye to my Grandma Rae, but hello to my nephew Greyson. 

I went to concerts (Sarah Mclachlan, Kid Cudi, Atmosphere, Sugar Ray, Lady Antebellum, Journey and Foreigner to name a few!)

I went to formals and fun parties!

I went to jazz games (shout out- bulls game. D-Will/Jerry Sloan's last game)
I got accepted into the Social Work program!
I did the impossible and passed Math 1010 (the second time) and got my first 98% on a truly truly difficult class (stats 1040) and maintained a 3.5 GPA!!!
I got new positions in Kappa Delta (Song Leader, Socials, Leadership Co-Chair)

I went to Lake Powell.  I went to Vegas.  I went to Bear Lake. 

One time I bawled my eyes out because I think I truly felt my heart break for the first time.
I have made my closest friends I know I will have for life this year.

I had a triple birthday party and turned the big 2-0!

I taught swimming lessons and worked at Supersonic Car Wash

I've welcomed friends back after years of being away, as well as said goodbye to others.
I finished the Book of Mormon
I met some really incredible people.

I have mixed feelings about it being the end of the year...
I really cant believe how fast this year went by! I feel like such an old lady when I say this, but seriously my life is flashing before my eyes!!!! It feels like just yesterday I was up at a friend's cabin ringing in the new year... And here we are, 365 days later.  It makes me think of what I really have accomplished and how I have grown as a person.  There are a lot of things I wish I did differently, but so many things I am happy to be a part of.  With the new year coming its a relief to think that I will have a fresh new start and live life to the fullest.  My friend said something at his homecoming speech that really has stuck with me and I want to apply with the new year. He said
"Don't miss the chance"
This year my goals are to not miss the chance to serve, travel, love, and to learn.
It's easy to get caught up in every day life and sometimes just go through the motions. 
It's time for a fresh start, a new year peeps! 

DON'T MISS THE CHANCE

But like I always say... "Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while... you could miss it."

Obey Your Thirst.

I guess this is what happens over winter break... me sitting at home having SO much free time. Winter break so far has consisted of reading, blogging, and pinterest.. its fine.

I was recently walking into my parents house with a large diet coke from McDonalds when a man in my parents bishopric asked me "what do you drink?" and I said "diet coke".  This guy went off about how he occasionally drinks diet coke but his love is for diet mountain dew.  He said something that really hit home. He said "I tried to quit drinking Mt Dew a few times, but I always came back.  I thought to myself 'why would I give up something that really just makes life better?'" Oh how true these words are.  For about 30 seconds of my day I was thinking about what my new years resolutions were going to be and I thought "maybe I'll give up diet coke".  Right after the words crossed my brain I felt like I should punch myself in the face! WHY would I even THINK of such a thing? Why would anyone give up something that they love so much and (let's face it) just makes life better!

It all started when I worked at Eat-A-Burger for about 3 years (my whole highschool career).  BEST JOB EVER! RIP EAB :(... So at Eat-A-Burger we had literally at least 10 "Diet Coke Ladies" or "DC Regs".  These ladies came about 2 times a day.  They were so awesome because they would give us Christmas/Easter/No reason gifts all the time and we would squeeze about 4 extra limes in their drink a round.  We came to be close friends, and deep down I always knew I was going to be just like them... a "diet coke lady".

Now, there was this time I went to Mcdonalds and this guy had the NERVE to ask me "What are you doing drinking diet coke?" I wanted to be like, "Excuse me sir, YOU don't know my life!" Instead I simply said "I don't know... I guess im a mom." and drove away sheepishly while thinking "geez.. some people's kids.."

Let me give a scenario. I'm at a Mexican restuarant (my favorite, could eat it every day, every meal for the rest of my life). I dont know what it is about diet coke and mexican food... but if I had to pick my last supper... that would be it.  Okay so back to the scenario; I'm sitting at a mexican restaurant with my BFF's eating the free chips and salsa.  A waitress comes and asks us what to drink and I say "Diet Coke with lime please".  "Is pepsi okay?" screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch!!!  I try not to look at the waitress with a look that is screaming "did you seriously just ask me that?" and keep calm and fight the urge to say "you might as well bring me a regular soda.. NOT" and simply respond "water is fine".  End of experience. I personally find nothing in the world worse than Regular Coke or Diet Pepsi. Lesson learned; I now know to never eat there again and know that my meal will only be 1/2 as good as it would have been with a fizzy cool DC. 

I definitely have my Diet Coke preferences.  I do love diet coke from a fountain (mcdonald's or the quick stop, please!), then from a bottle, and lastly from a can.  Obviously I have thought this out. Kappa Delta didn't help me stop drinking diet coke, that's for sure.  Living 50 feet from the Quickstop made "happy hour" a REALLY happy hour when 10 girls would all walk over there and get our 32 ounces half off!  Bonding with Tara Derber when she can tell I'm pissed and says "lets go get diet cokes".  Or late night study sessions with the gang and doing a quick McDonald's run for the tasty drink (as well as monopoly pieces).
Now, I'm not saying I'm addicted (is the first sign of addiction denial? crap) but Diet Coke is the best reward I get to give myself every day.  Had a bad day? Drink a diet coke.  Sad because it's Thursday/Friday/Saturday and some things never change? Drink a diet coke.  Driving to Melissa's? Get a Diet Coke.  Just finish taking an exam? Drink a Diet Coke. So don't worry, I have a limit of only 1 Diet Coke a day, but if this blog hasn't made it obvious,I just LOVE IT! Diet coke makes the sky bluer, love more beautiful, children more cute, crappy moods into good ones, bad conversations bearable, test days into normal days. I just can't see myself giving up something that is made to make life better.

Brother Spillet in my parents ward ended our conversation by saying "Hey, if diet coke makes life better who cares if it ends it about 10 years early? I'll take it if it makes that big of a difference." AMEN to that brotha.

For all my fellow Diet Coke drinkers... raise your cup to this.  If you don't drink soda or want to tell me how its going to give me cancer, I honestly don't want to hear it. 

But like I always say... "Just a large Diet Coke and that is all please"... to the Mcdonald's speaker that is.
Diet Coke Forever.

Grandma Rae Webb

Oh my Grandma Rae. I don't even know where to begin.  If it were even possible I would put into words how sweet, beautiful, and pure this woman is; and today she returned to heaven where her husband, son, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and Heavenly Father are.
It wasn't a complete shock when I woke up this morning to a call from my mom telling me my grandma had passed away.  In fact, if anything I would have thought it would have been yesterday.  Rachael Webb was 91 when she died. 
 

I will admit I feel a little ripped off when it comes to our relationship.  I grew up in Maryland until I was 9, and by the time I got here it felt like she already had a billion grandchildren she was already so close to.  Even though we weren't as close as I wish we were, I still have some really amazing memories with her.
One I would like to share is the time me, my parents, my brothers, Matt (Only Krista's BF at the time), and my Grandma Webb drove across the country to Nauvoo.  hahah WOW... sort of a joke.  One night while we were all driving my grandma started to tell us a story about when she was a little girl she was driving with her parents and sisters when their car broke down in the middle of nowhere! My great grandpa had to get out and walk miles and miles to the nearest town to get help while all the girls sat in the car.  They were all huddled together when they heard in the distance a thud....thud....thud.... and it got closer and closer! My grandma was explaining how scared they all were when my dad (so sarcastically) interrupted her and said "And it was a man with a wooden leg!!!!!!!" and my grandma looked at him with her face shocked and said "have I told you this story before?" hahahaha we all burst out laughing.  I laughed so hard I cried, and I still do every time I think about this story.


At 91, Grandma started getting pretty old and we knew her time was running short; she started saying really funny but ridiculous things. (Don't worry she is only pretending to be sad in this picture).  She made comments about how she was on the Titanic, and tried to help find Elizabeth Smart with her husband (who has been dead since I was probably about 5 or so?). Regardless, we all still loved her the same, if not more.  Every time I would see my grandma she would say "Well aren't you beautiful!" and somehow she always remembered I was in a sorority.  One time she asked me how my baby was.... awkward. I had to tell her that was Krista. haha.


Every year for Christmas my grandma would give all her grandchildren a present (really, I don't think I'm exaggerating too much when I say she has close to a million). It has been Christmas ornaments, mugs, snow globes, etc.  A couple years ago she gave us a printed  copy of her testimony of the church, and on Sunday, she gave all of us a copy of her Patriarchal Blessing. WOW.  It was so incredible to me and such a testimony of someone who lives worthily and receives all the promised blessings. I am so glad to have something so special and sacred to her that I can have for myself and refer back to.

The only word I feel is appropriate to use when describing Grandma is: pure.  She is the most beautiful person inside and out I have ever met.  She does nothing but love everyone and everything.  When things start to get crazy, especially with extended family (come on, we all know it does), she was always the one to hold us all together.  I will never forget her soft skin when I would give her a kiss, her voice, or her laugh.  I am so grateful to have known her and feel her love.

Like I've said in previous posts... "the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree"
in this case I pray it doesn't.
Love & Miss you already Grandma Rae.

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

I recently finished the book How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World, and can I just say it was so good and I recommend it to all girls!  It is written by Jordan Christy (a Kappa Delta non the less) and she gives good insight on how to "start representing a new type of It Girl- a successful, stylish, smart girl who still maintains classic ideals and values." This book was actually very inspiring. She goes through chapters and chapters on how girls today are constantly bombarded with trashy reality TV shows, Girls Gone Wild, playboy, etc. and how old values and ideals have been lost in the process. When it sounds like a lost cause, Jordan Christy breaks down the art of living with style, class, and grace. 

To give a basic idea of the book, the chapter titles are as follows...
1. Stupid girls (I think it's safe to say we all know a Stupid Girl or two.  They're tossing their hair by the water cooler at the office, they're sporting silky thongs with low-rise pants in the grocery line, and there's at least one in every good reality show)
2. Keep your chin up and your skirt down ("Self respect is one of the greatest assets a girl can posses, and get its one of the biggest things we're lacking these days")
3. Words Words Words (not cursing like a sailor or using OMG in every day sentences)
4. Use some Elbow Grease (Wherever your interest lies, don't be afraid to start small!)
5. Choose your friends wisely ("Show me your friends and I'll show you your future")
6. Let Him Come Calling (Turns out our mother's were right- ladies shouldn't make the first move)
7. Dress to Impress ("I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little-if only out of politeness.  And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny.  And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny"-Coco Chanel)
8. Less is More ("Whether you are sixteen or over sixty, remember, understatement is the rule of a fine make-up artist"-Helena Rubinstein)
9. Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!!! ("Let's face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me."-Audrey Hepburn)

Jordan Christy goes into detail of why its important to use appropriate language, how to dress accordingly to your style, rules that you should not stalk a boy (rather let him come to you.. who woulda thought? just kiddin'), choosing friends, and so much more! It got me thinking of what changes I need to make in my life and how to use language and dress that would make not only my grandmother proud, but also all the women who fought so hard for where we are today.

But like I always say... "I'm guessing that you, like myself, would like to leave behind something we can be proud of: a feminine legacy of hard work, self-respect, style, success, class, and grace-a fulfilled life that our mothers would be proud of and your own daughters wouldn't be ashamed of."

okay, so obviously I stole that from Jordan Christy, but seriously I wish I said it first.

Rookie Mistake.

As sad as I am finals are only once a year, this next month it's time to move on to bigger and better things...
For starters, when I was laying in bed last night I thought to myself "I'm going to become more domestic this winter break".  Funny joke. Seriously, I know. Me? Domestic? My favorite coat is missing 3 buttons because I cant sew them on.  I don't eat because I can't cook.  I've lived my life in the Kappa Delta house for years excusing myself from every crafternoon saying "I'm not crafty" to my friends who could easily out-craft Martha Stewart with their eyes closed (honestly).  So... I got inspired. As lame as I am, I started by looking on pinterest, but seriously peeps I don't even know where else I would even begin!
 
So today is day 1 of my domestic travels for the next month and into next semester.  I had this brilliant idea to bake my friend Steve Drake (Shout out- Happy 22nd Birthday!) a giant cupcake.  To some, this sounds simple, but to people like myself it is a big step and actually quite impressive.  What started out as a nice day Pinteresting and baking with my sis Melissa (shout out- love you) turned into a 3.5 hour experience of death.  Long story short, I couldn't get the cake out of the pan and it crumbled into a billion pieces (didn't flour the pan... rookie mistake). Also, I don't even have a clue how to make frosting (until today) and truly was havin' a rough time! Thank goodness Mel is like the #1 home-maker (tied with my other sis Krista) and she said "nothing a little frosting can't fix" and literally saved my poor and pathetic cup-cake.  

Not exactly the best start to me becoming domestic, but hey, the cupcake turned out precious and Steve LOVED it. who wouldn't?

Okay, so I'm an embarrassment to the woman race because I can't cook, sew, or craft.  But since I am publicizing my new domestic goals and experiences via blog, I basically have to now since I don't wanna let down my fans. Ha.

But like I always say "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen"
in my case, heat being skills and whatnot... bring on the heat.

Finals aka Death

Finals... honestly, need I say more? It seems like my whole life leads up to the moment of finals week. That is how i prepare for it anyway.  Let me start by saying, I actually have loved 90% of my classes this semester and I'm so happy I'm finally in the Social Work program! This semester I have taken Social Work practice 1, Research Methods, English 2010, Stats 1040, and Child Welfare. A 15 credit schedule.  Not too bad, and actually they are all really interesting.  Most of my teachers have actually been generous enough to me this semester that this so-called "dead week" is basically my finals this week.

University definition of Dead Week:  no tests, no quizzes, no assignments.
MY definition of dead week: 1 quiz, 10 page research paper, 34 page research packet, 2 Finals, 1 study outline...
dead week for me = literally I almost died aka dead week aka kill myself week..

But seriously... I'm done with school after my Stats test on Monday and then I get to be home from Christmas with my family for a whole month and I could not be more excited.  It's sad because I haven't been able to get in the Christmas spirit because all I think about the different types of sexual abuse, what kind of research design to use, what the probability the dice is going to have a "6" is, and how violence in the media affects children!!! All I know is... I could not be happier to have a fresh start in January! And to all my fans reading this... please pray for me this week for finals, trust me, I'll need it. But like I always say... "I am calm, I am confident, and I can do this" - As said by all my KD sisters.