Sarah's Key

I just finished reading this book and feel almost haunted by it...but in a good way?! I just can't stop thinking about it. It was a book I couldn't put down. I believe it is very important to remember the past. To hear stories of the Holocaust and the lives of those who were ever changed by it, always puts things into perspective. I have always liked reading these kind of stories. The hardships faced were unimaginable. Sarah's Key was definitely a shocking story but nothing short of miraculous (as Augusten Burroughs put it). I loved the way the author paralleled and contrasted the stories between Sarah and Julia, the journalist. It sort of had a historical yet modern flair to it which kept it super interesting. It was beautifully written & I would definitely recommend reading it! (The only thing I dislike about finishing a good book is that now you have to find an equally good a book to start reading!)

Here's a little more about Sarah's Key.....

Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten-year-old girl, is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night. desperate to protect her younger brother, sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard - their secret hiding place - and promises to come back for him as soon as they are released.

Sixty years later in July of 2002: Sarah's story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup. In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own future.

Let me know if you decide to read this too! HAPPY READING!

Rants

I would just like to preface this by saying 1) I don't like to rant and rave and complain and go on and on but sometimes you just gotta let it out ya know 2) I don't mean to offend anyone by anything I say or don't say. These are simply some of my opinions, thoughts, observations and frustrations as of late. 3) I would love to hear your opinion on any of these topics if you feel so inclined.

So here it goes....

Rant #1. Why when someone has a child and all of a sudden they have cute pictures to share you are all of a sudden cut off from the existence of their blog? It's like a secret little clique that I don't want to be a part of. haha. So I basically boycott private blogs and it really it makes me sad when people change their blogs to private because I have made up my mind that I won't read them. I just say adios...another one bites the dust. Even some of my fam members have private blogs and I don't read them any more because my emails are confusing and I would have to give you 5 emails just to make sure I would be logging into the right one. Too much trouble! Anyone else feel the same way? If you are thinking about turning to the other side, just say no to private blogs. There are so many other things I could say on this topic but I will stop there...I don't like private blogs....but I still want you to know that I will love you if you have a private blog.

Rant #2. Also, I really enjoy getting calls from debt collectors looking for Juan. NOT! 1-2 times a week I get a call from someone speaking Spanish and before they can even utter anything past , "Hola!" I say, "No this is not Juan, losiento. Wrong number. Bye!" I even try handing the phone to Scott and they still don't get what "You have the wrong number" means in their own native tongue. What did Juan fall off the face of the earth or something? Why hasn't he changed his number? I have had this phone for more than a year now! Oh and they always call at annoying times like 7 in the morning or during dinner. Stop that now! Also we are constantly getting mail for the last owners of our apartment and we have lived here for 6 months. Why can't THEY change their address. I have even been so nice as to call the county court house for them telling them that they should not be imprisoned because they are not recieving this piece of mail telling them they need to go to jury duty. I don't get this phenomenon. What happened to responsibility people??

Rant #3. It really upsets me when people live together before they are married. I seriously have anxiety over it. I just think it is so saddening and the whole concept just really upsets me. Please just get married people. Did you know that living together is considered to be more stressful than being married? & Many believe that couples who live together before marriage have a rockier journey in marriage. More than 50% of couples who live together before marriage end up apart either through just moving out or divorce later on. I just don't like it!

Rant #4. I can't stand cigarette smoke especially now that my senses are heightened and everything I breathe in goes not just into my lungs but into my baby's as well. Even while in Disneyland I have to hold my breath and run past the smoking area when trying to get to the Finding Nemo ride. Yes I could have gone the other way but I didn't okay. In Vegas it stunk too. I tried to stay out of the casino area as much as I could but some times while just passing through I just wanted to hurl. The smoke was so thick and gross. I had to leave my family behind while I raced to the safe zone and then waited for them to hurry up and meet me there. haha. Just quit people, you can do it!

Funny Note # 5. I think it is pretty hilarious how Southern Californians will wear boots, gloves, scarves and a hat when it is 50 degrees outside. This is considered warm in most parts of the country this time of year! haha. I love it! When I would come home to visit my family from school during breaks they would be in Uggs and scarves and I would be in capris and flip flops and would be shedding my sweat shirt because it felt so muggy to me compared to Idaho. haha. I am not saying I have the warmest blood but living in Idaho for 3 years sure has changed my perspective on this California warmth I so took for granted!

Ahhhh I feel better. Now I just have to take a deep breath and go have a happy & fun weekend with my hubs! Lates!

I love food

So I was really craving olives today and not just olives but olives with other amazing Mediterranean-esque foods...So I asked Scott if we could go to the OLIVE PIT for dinner tonight and he said, "Of course!" Man did that make my day. {If I could, I would spend all my money on good food.} I seriously love me some good eats....and I am pretty sure my husband knows that.

In fact, I feel like he knows more about me than I do about myself. He is pretty good about predicting my next move or reaction to things. It is pretty funny but neat at the same time ya know?! It is actually quite impressive like tonight when I went to go save the table and Scott got our waters....I was patiently waiting and was about to flag him down to remind him to put a lemon in my drink but he was already on his way back with a beautiful little yellow lemon slice in my cup! Now that is love people. He just knows me so well and I love that he knows me and that I know him and what he likes and dislikes and what will make him laugh...You know when you just know what your best friend is thinking or going to say next? Yep. Pretty awesome I guess.

So the Olive Pit is a pretty tasty place and I would give it 5 out of 5 stars for excellency in taste and service and extreme awesomeness! Tonight I had a flat iron steak, roasted vegetables, pita with this amazing pesto and a Mediterranean salad! So good! {Can you tell I am feeling better?? Smells aren't bothering me so much anymore {{I even got brave and sprayed on some smell good body mist}} and I feel like I can eat anything now! It is great!} After dinner we went to Ross and hit up some pretty good deals and did a little Christmas shopping too! I just love that place!

I love my husband and I love food and I love where food comes from and who is the creator of food. I also am loving this week and can't wait for this weekend to party it up with my familia, Thanksgiving style!!! Also, my Grandma Moon is the best chef in the entire world and I can't wait to eat her sweet potatoes with melted marshmellows on top!

Have a happy and delicious THANKSGIVING everyone!

Autumn Time

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." -Albert Camus

At least in California fall seems like a second spring! I am kind of sort of missing Idaho's autumns this year. They are so much more colorful and windy and magical....but at the same time California's eternal sunshine is so very magical, so there!

I'm so lucky

So while my hubs was working in Mexico last week and crossing the border back and forth each day, I got to hang out in downtown San Diego again! My Dad had a job in Coronado so he called and asked if I wanted to go out to lunch one day and of course I did! It definitely beat staying in a hotel room and coming up with things to entertain myself with. I'm so glad we went out because we had the best seafood and the funnest time a dad and daughter could ask for! It reminded me when I was little, like 3 or 4, and my parents would take me out for oysters and shrimp cocktails...remember that mom? That's how my love for seafood started! Well our trip definitely consisted of lots of fun and good eats. I'm so lucky to have such a great Dad!


Our gorgeous, historic hotel. It used to be a bank in the early 19o0's.


The beautiful Point Loma Marina.


Lots of memories here. I had forgot just how yummy it is! You have to go here!!!


Fresh oysters and crabs!


Yummy food! Shrimp cocktail, seaweed salad, sushi and clam chowder with some sour dough bread and lemonade! Perfect! My mouth is watering right now!


Love my pops!


Just me!

True Education

I so so love this quote. It hangs in the entrance to the David O. McKay library where I work and I have read + pondered it often the last 3 years. I finally stopped to take a picture of it today so I can remember it forever!

"True education consists not in merely the acquiring of a few facts of science, history, literature, or art but in the development of character. True education awakens the desire to conserve health but keeping the body clean and undefiled. True education trains in self-denial and self-mastery. True education regulates the temper, subdues passion and makes obedience to social laws and moral order a guiding principle of life. It develops reason and inculcates faith in God."
-President David O. McKay.

Reflections

NKW Award Recipients

There I am!

I made it on the poster too :]

I had such amazing experiences yesterday. First of all, there are 2 weeks left of my college career and I have been thinking lately what my education means to me and what opportunities it has and will afford me. A perfect example of what it has given me was seen and felt yesterday as I went about my busy day. I received the Newel K. Whitney award from the comm department. I felt so honored and it was nice and almost surprising to see that the effort I put into school actually is noticed. I had no idea I would be even up for the running. Sister Bergstrom the communication department dean is great. She told me afterwards, "Just to let you know there were 7 votes for you and I got to choose who I wanted to introduce and that was you." haha. She is so funny! Brother Cannon described her as tiger on steroids! What the?! Some of my favorite teachers like Sister Hansen and Esplin complimented me saying I have produced beautiful work and the award was well deserved. Man I feel so honored and grateful for these people in my life! It is really nice to be recognized like that too after lots of hard work....and especially an honor since Newel K. Whitney was such an amazing, inspiring, and innovative man. He was a great friend to Joseph and Emma and hero to many!

When Sister Bergstrom gave me the award and presented me in front of the ceremony guests and awardees she said I was a quiet leader and also a follower. She said I am a strong chief and also a strong Indian and that a successful group needs both....or something like that. haha. She also said that Scott and I are a power couple and will go far in whatever we choose to do. (Scott got the very same award when he was almost graduated too! Now we have matching clocks! haha.) I feel so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man. He sets a great example for me to follow. I love him with all my heart. Another thing I want to remember is Brother Cannon, at the award ceremony gave a few words and read a scripture that said the Lord will be with our mouths. I really liked that. The spirit is such a powerful entity if we just would implement it in our lives more fully, slow down and feel its calming reassurances and power to go, do and be.

I am so grateful for the gospel in my life for the knowledge and peace it brings to me. For the direction and guidance I feel because of the strong foundation it gives me. I read an article last night about this couple that broke up after 40 years because they changed and it went into the statistic that the age for newly marrieds averages around the ages 27-28 because those in their early 20's don't know who they are and who they want to become. I was really taken back and felt almost defensive! I said to myself, "I know who I am and I know where I am going in my life!" I know I am a child of God, with divine worth and potential. I know that I want to be a great wife and mother and serve others with cheerfulness and a good attitude. I have a divine mission and role in this life! It is crazy to see how those in the world perceive marriage and take it so lightly or don't even value it at all. For me it has always been a huge priority. Others my age don't even seem to be thinking about it. They just see it as a lofty, someday goal and don't give it a second thought...or maybe they do but I can see how the family unit is being diminished because of perceptions such as these and others. Marriage CAN last forever and families can and do bring the most joy to our lives! Families are the most fundamental unit of society and must be upheld and supported! Strong families make strong communities. Strong communities make strong cities and states and NATIONS!

Also, today I was thinking, what do I want my children to remember me most by. I was reading a description of a piece from a photography exhibit in the Spori building and one the artists said her mom inspired her because she always pointed out he beauty of the earth and had great observational skills. How cool is that? What legacy and lasting impressions will I leave on my children? Will it be intentional or will I be surprised? One thing I hope to pass on is my love for the gospel, for my Savior and that through Him I know we can do all things. The spirit is one of the greatest gifts we have and prayer is a true and solid communication and direct connection to our Father in Heaven who is always there to send us help.

Yesterday as I was going to record a counseling session with my group from my Helping Realtionship/Into to Counseling class I remembered that I had written down that specifically I needed to remember to pray. To pray the night before, that morning and before the session, as well as during the session to have the spirit's influence with me and to be able to help Liz who I was helping and going to be listening to that day. I was really nervous to start off but as soon as she began to describe her problem I felt completely confident in my abilities and knew exactly what to say. I know that the Lord was with me and that we was with my mouth like Brother Cannon had relayed to me earlier that day. I really felt of God's love for me and felt a deeper compassion for Liz and felt a greater desire to really help her and listen sincerely to her concerns. I am so grateful for this class and how it is helping me relate to those around me. Listening is such an important skill. I always thought that when people came to you with a concern they wanted advice and to hear your life experiences and GREAT ominous knowledge but I was wrong. They want to be heard and listened to. They want to feel loved and appreciated more than anything, they just want to feel like someone is there and truly cares.
My dad always said if you want to have a friend you need to be a friend and to seek first to understand and then to be understood.

I am sad to leave this place but I know that I will always carry a piece of it with me and be able to multiply and share my experiences as I go out in the world, building the Lord's kingdom and raising a family to grow and develop and experience all that life and the Lord has for them. I am excited for Scott to start his job with Avery in Brea, CA. We are excited for this new chapter in our lives, to begin a family and experience all the joys and struggles that that will bring us. I am ready for this new chapter to start. Scott said the other day almost out of the blue, "I am excited to have kids, to see their personalities and what they will look like." I can't wait to meet them either! It's all I think of and aspire to do. He never used to bring stuff up like that but now that it is becoming more and more a reality and that time in our lives is drawing near I know that he is really looking forward to supporting a family and being a great father. I know he will be. Scott is my best friend and means the world to me. I couldn't imagine anyone else to share my life with. He is better than the dream guy I always imagined I would marry. He is so amazing to me! My love grows and grows for him every day. We are the perfect fit for each other and I am so excited to experience all that live holds for us, good or bad. I know we will be able to face it all together and grow and learn so much in the process. So here's to the future and reflecting on my experiences here. BYU-Idaho, teachers, family, friends thank you for all your support and love and for helping me along the way. there is no way I could have done this alone. I know that everything happens for a reason and looking back I am starting to see why the Lord placed me in the places and situations he did and I am so grateful for that!

Letters Today

Dear School,
Please help me to make this go by faster. The days seem so long and the sun is shining now!

Dear Work,
Please stop making me walk uphill in uncomfortable sandals and a dress with 10 pounds of books on my back. It hurts.

Dear Potential Employer,
I'm scared for a real job.

Dear New Apartments,
I hope we like you. These bad dreams of rodent infestation and weird neighbors are terrifying me.

Dear College Graduation,
I am really excited for you to get here. Could you hurry up please!

Dear Future,
Stop haunting me, I just want to live in the here and now! I will get to you someday soon, okay?

Dear Kitchen,
Sorry that all I cook lately on your stove is water. Water for pasta that is.

Dear Scott,
Thank you for bringing me pain meds today at school, for coming to class with me only to realize I was in the wrong classroom. Thanks for taking me to the fabric store and going in with me to help me decide on colors and hold my wallet. Thanks for making me strawberry cream cheese toast in the mornings and half peanut butter sandwiches for lunch with all my favorite snacks. Thanks for teaching me how to put dishes in the dishwasher correctly. lol. Thanks for helping me with homework and rubbing my back when I need it. Thanks for loving me always. I love you.


Love, Me

P.S. Sometimes I miss these days!

Seriously?

Seriously. This is my desktop full of sticky notes.

I feel cluttered, overwhelmed, divided into 19 pieces. 19 because that is the number of creditos I need to graduate on july 23rd, 2010. If this is messy, imagine what the inside of my brain looks like! Well, despite all that I am having a wonderful semester full of little education moments that will stay in my brain forever (Even though I will not be able to recall all of them I know that they will be there! Plus I know that when I do need that information it will be brought to my remembrance! So no worries!)

Knowledge is a blessed thing and I can't believe there are only 6 more weeks left. Or is it 5? I'm too apathetic to count...I'm just glad it is almost here. But truly education is wonderful and it doesn't just stop here. We will be on to new adventures after this and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

Lately I have been thinking how quickly these last 3 years have flow by and all the different ways I have grown. I don't feel like writing all those things down right now but I do know that the experiences I have had here are ones that I wouldn't have been able to duplicate anywhere else. I have felt the Lord's hand in every experience here...even in my decision to come here. I am so grateful for that.

So even though school can be overwhelming at times, it is teaching me how to be a better person, how to push myself and how to look on the bright side of things. There are so many take aways from my experiences here, there are almost too many to count!

I might add that it helps in the motivation department to know we will be making a trip next weekend to California to check out apartments to decide where we might spend the next year to year and a half of our lives. Sunshine and the beach can be truly motivating! It snowed a little this morning in Rexburg and it is JUNE! But truly that is what makes Rexburg a place like no other so I just say embrace it!

Here's to the few short weeks of college that are left!

Courage

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”

p.s. peonies are some of the last flowers to bloom
in the spring but they are definitely well worth the wait
...don't you think?

It is REALLY cold

This week has been the most frigid week of my life. no joke. Every morning on the way to school it has been like -10, -20!!!!!! this winter is going to be very white and windy. I want to be here where this picture was taken....in mexico on our honeymoon....speaking of which there are 11 days till our 1st anniversary! Go us! & 14 days till we will be in sunny California with the Farrow familia. But before that there are finals and Scott will be graduating & speaking at convocation & family will be here &......oh there is just so much to look forward to! One more week we can make it!!!!

Did you know...

...Our beautiful land of America is named after this guy?

AMERIGO (or AMERICO) VESPUCCI, an Italian explorer?

Well I guess the controversy as to whether Vespucci took precedence in the discovery of the mainland of America over Columbus first discovering it has been for centuries a matter of great debate....but when searching for the origin of the naming of America...this guy comes up.

So there you have it. Ya I didn't know that either.

Kinda makes you wonder what other facts of America's history are hidden in between the lines of what we really think has all happened.

America is a pretty cool name. If you named your daughter that she could be nicknamed Amy or Erica, or Mer...haha i dunno but I kinda like it. Cute eh?

P.S. This may or may not be the most random/weirdest post ever.

Learning by Faith

{my very first step on campus, Fall 2007}

I came upon a quote in the readings for my, "Realizing the Vision of BYU-Idaho" class today. It comes from the first principle of the Learning Model...

"Learners and teachers who center their faith in the Savior "look unto Him in every thought" such that they do no doubt their capacity to learn, nor fear their opportunities to teach. (D&C 6:36) The power we access through faith in the Savior allows us to exceed our natural limits and learn beyond our natural capabilities."

It is awesome how the Lord is so eager and ready to bless our efforts of learning if we will but come to him in faith. I know that I can learn far beyond what I ever believed was possible to learn by more conscientiously and consistently applying my faith in my Savior to my learning and teaching at this university. I can no longer rely on what methods I have used in the past. I must reach higher and inspire to learn by faith and be taught by the Holy Ghost in all things I seek to study. The Holy Ghost is the greatest teacher and I know this way of learning and teaching is inspired and can lead us to greater heights that we can not comprehend, but that are possible.

One of my goals this week is to act for myself and take more responsibility for learning and teaching by faith. I need to better apply myself and trust in the Holy Ghost to guide me in class discussions and inspire me in the words I write and say so that I can get the most out of learning.

I know the Holy Ghost can "teach us all things, and bring all things to our remembrance." I know that if I prayerfully and diligently trust in the Holy Ghost I will be lead to learn things that are tailor-made for my personal development and the development of those I strive to teach.

I have learned so much from this class {I recommend it to all....plus it's just one credit!} and I have learned so much from my experiences at BYU-Idaho that I know are preparing me for the rest of my life by strengthening my testimony of my Savior and increasing the spirit I feel each day. The things I am learning now will be a benefit for anything that I strive to do in the future and I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had and continue to have at this university. I know it is the school and "disciple training center" where I am supposed to be. {Even more Fall 2007 pics here}

{touring the area...first time at yellowstone. beautiful!}

{First apartment in college...good old Colonial 109 where the girls are fine!! & wow my Dad took this while helping me move in & this is the apartment Scott and I first met in. K tearing up a little. Good times!}

The Bachelorette

K so for all you die hard Bachelorette fans...I found a much needed post by RealitySteve.com as I was trying to find closure to this week's episode. After watching I kind of had this pit in my stomach feeling..."Arrrghhh I just want Wes out of there...Can't Jillian see him for who he really is??" I am sure this is how the producers wanted me to feel exactally and I dislike them a bit for this. I hope this roller-coaster ride is worth it in the end cuz I'm still hangin on {as I am simply sunken down in my couch watching this storyline all unfold!} Haha...soo here are a few funny snipits from the aforementioned website. I literally laughed out loud at some of them...Check it out for all the latest Bachelorette gossip and way more funny quotes than these ;)


-{K this one is not that funny...but thought I would put it in for information's sake...}"Not that I’m a fan of Wes by any means, but it was fairly obvious tonight they edited him in a way that made him say those things. If you listened closely, so many of his lines were said without the camera on him, and you know those were just set up and spliced in to make him look bad. Once again, for a storyline."

-"First 1-on-1 date is with Wobby. I call him that because, well, that’s how he comes across to me. Rob is macho. Robby is a bartender. Wobby is a bartender who says things like, “My mentality going into this date is ‘I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…get that rose tonight.’” Lord that was stupid. Did he really just say that? All he needed to do to top that off would be to yell “Choo! Choo!” as he pretends to yank on the horn as the conductor of the train."

-"Michael gets right to the point. “My parents, brother, and my dog will all tell me, ‘If you don’t marry this woman immediately, you’re out of the family.’” How about disowning Michael from the family for the sole reason that his occupation is “Break Dance instructor”. Last time I checked, seems the only income that brings in are the loose change people throw in the hat he has laid out on his giant piece of cardboard."

-“Now that I’ve felt how soft her feet are, I want her to meet my family.” I can honestly say Tanner might be the only human being on this planet who has ever uttered that sentence. Frightening.

-"And oh yeah, they all got in a hot tub, and Kiptyn got a rose because he developed another 6 pack of abs in the last twenty minutes since we last saw him."

-"Reid also can’t believe Jillian doesn’t wash her vegetables. I think it’s safe to say at this point Reid is probably one of those guys who walks around with a bottle of Purell all the time too. And washes his hands before and after every meal making sure each hand is scrubbed the exact same amount of times."

-"Jillian did pull Michael aside before the rose ceremony started probably because they needed more filler time. She just wanted to make sure he was ready for a commitment since he’s so young, so immature, and so broke. I think he said he would break dance 18 hours a day if he had to just for her."

-As "said" by Jillian...“This is really a tough night for me. I remember being in this position and it’s a big deal because now we’re getting families involved. But I know I have seven extraordinary people in front of me. I care about you. I feel really, really grateful. You are the five guys the producers had laid out from the beginning. I mean, I randomly decided I liked you five.”


Oh & in case you were wondering...I, Myself {and my Scott...haha we totally watch it together. } are rooting for Kiptyn...{The rest we were voting for already got booted...& a no no no on Jesse and Wes. Michael is funny but not her type..Reid is a little too neurotic...ha! So there you go} I can't wait till they go to Kiptyn's home town of Encinitasssss, CA! {I just realized how many of ...these....I used. haha. oh well.} Watch the Bachelorette Mondays on ABC! Lates.

I need to VENT

WHOAAAAAAA. Usually when I am feeling crummy....I like to post the opposite of what I am feeling so that I will feel better...but sometimes maybe I think it helps to do the opposite of THAT?? My journal is full of what I am truly feeling...but my blog is just full of the cheery, sunshiney, look what fun things I did this weekend type of stuff. Maybe I am being too cynical today... {Thursdays are usually not my best days. Maybe I should not say that so that I will believe the opposite....} I am usually always so optimistic... lately though, I have been kinda looking at reality and things as they really are...just looking at the black and white of things and not some bright colorful picture which makes for a not so happy Britany. {P.S. this morning I told the guy at the health center my wrong birthday...I forgot my own birthday ppl...and then when proooof reading this post I spelt my own name wrong...hhhaha and I am going to leave it that way!!!} I have a wonderful life and wonderful people in it. I know you have to look at the good things in your life and realize that life is hard and not to get dragged down by the hard LITTLE things....but I feel the more I tolerate the little annoying things the worse it is when one more little thing gets to me and then I explode....I dunno. I feel so dumb because these things that make me mad are so trivial and just a few hours ago I was the happiest girl on the planet...now I am having a little pity party...anyways...here it is. my dumb pathetic list. I am a list maker. so list list list...

Things I currently dislike:
-wordpress.com for not letting me publish my stupid blog post and then deleting it off the face of the planet earth so it is never to be found again.
-my laptop because it is the cause of me being able to access wordpress.com correctly
-saying I am over it....when I really am not
-the heat off my laptop because it is making me feel hotter than I would like to be
-how hard I am pressing each letter on the keyboard to write this post.
-having to work tonight from 9-11:30 pm...because we are alreayd over staffed and I don't even really have to be there....it's just for my own benefit of making some mooolahhh.
-pouring rain without an umbrella {that we left in the car}
-thundery cloudy skies with no sun...
-geting mad at dumb things.
-having really hurtful canker sores and having no remedy available other than holding my minty fresh orbit peppermint spray gum on it with my tongue
-making lists of things you dislike and then publishing them for all to see
-the time I am wasting in writing this pointless post

It's okay to cry at dumb things sometimes right???
I actually am feeling better.

please if you would... go to my lovely website and comment on something....

&& I WOULD like to leave this post on a good note though...peace on earth good will to men. there I have said it. now have a good day peeps. {a happier post will be coming soon}

My Dad

...Has always been so adament about me getting a backpack on wheels to carry my school things in so my back doesn't hurt. Sadly after a tramatic experience in the 6th grade I am never going back to one of those! haha...okay so maybe im really kidding about that. {but really this mean 8th grader kicked my rolly backpack up in the air while I was wheeling it and then pointed and laughed at me with all his friends!!! RUDE!} and there is the fact that I don't really carry THAT heavy of a backpack these days so I'm good right? Well...just yesterday I got this email from my Dad with picture attachment and ALL! The email says, "Brit it is popular at sandiego campus to have a pull back pack, it may help you on your long walks." My Dad is awesome to think of me so spontaneously...that he cares about me enough to take out his phone to snap a pic of this girl before she wheeled away just so he could send me an email and tell me he cares about my little back! Precious! haha. So everyone....rolly backpacks are still COOL these days!!! {according to this evidence pictured above} Dad, I don't know if I am ready to enter the rolly backpack trend again anytime soon but thanks for totally making my day and making me feel so special! OH & HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!! Love, B

Rainbow Cake

how amazing is this cake??! I am obsessed. This would be so fun to bake for a birthday partay or just because it is so dang sweeet. head on over to http://www.omnomicon.com/rainbowcake for directions on how to make this fabulous cake! :)

Alla Cuelga Mi Vestido

Out of the conflict came this painting. The only collage in the artist, Frida Kahlo's oeuvre, it represents an ironic portrait of American capitalism and superficiality. Filled with symbols of a modern American industrial society, it points to social decay and the destruction of fundamental human values.

What is missing from this painting is the focal point of nearly all of Frida's paintings…herself. Instead, Frida's Tehuana dress hangs empty and alone amidst the chaos in the background. It may be her way of saying "I may be in America but only my dress hangs there…my life is in Mexico." Frida started this painting while still in New York and finished it after she and Diego returned to Mexico.

I came upon this painting in Spanish class just yesterday & Alla Cuegla Mi Vestido just speaks to ME as of lately. "I may be in Iceburg (I mean Rexburg) but only my dress hangs there, my life..our life...is beyond here." And though I may feel this way right now, I have to keep patient and sane because only heaven knows how many life lessons I still need to learn before we leave this bubble and go out into the big bad world. Education isn't just about learning facts so your brain will be full of information, its about mastering yourself. Too bad I know this to be true...because we all know with knowledge comes responsibility. Oh no responsibility! But seriously sometimes life is just hard (not that my life is all that hard...) BUT if it wasn't hard, if it was just easy...we wouldn't be able to know true joy and happiness. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of the principles of the gospel and of hope and trust in our Savior who can take all our burdens from us. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who is constantly patient and willing to help us if we will simply do our part.

So here's to doing MY part more fully. Wish me luck!

THiNGS

Soooo I want to do this some more

yet I want more of this

and lots of this

and more of this

...I want to buy/wear this

I want to make/eat this

I want to learn this

I want to go here

and here

and here

and eat more of thissss

+more...

But all I really NEED

is to love my husband,

call/email my family lots,

give more hugs,

smile/laugh always,

love my husband,

read my scriptures,

love my savior,

say my prayers,

love my husband,

get to work on time,

and do my homework!

:P

Bring it on Sand Man

So I have been having the wierdest dreams lately...like ever since we have been married! I was talking to my friend Chelsea and this same thing is happening to her too!!!! They have been so constant and vivid...it is almost annoying..and I haven't been sleeping the very best. Every night I try to think about what I want to dream about but that doesn't really work and I end up dreaming whatever has been on my mind the previous day....so awaiting the arrival of our new little sweet niece, Avery, I was thinking about my sister-in-law Bonnie all day yesterday and there have been so many babies being born in our ward I dreamed that Scott and I had a baby of our own. But wait, it got weirder....we named him Warren Peace Olsen, & he had super blonde blonde hair, and was the size of a medium sized spaghetti squash (haha I couldn't think of anything else to compare his size to...but he was tiny tiny like a small baby doll..haha maybe that is a better description), and we had him within one day of even "knowing we were pregnant" so I had to do a whole bunch of catch up research to know what to do about taking care of him. As a side note....it is ALSO crazy that being pregnant is even an option now a days and I have definitely decided that I am not baby hungry because I HAVE to finish school so I can have an education behind me and to help me be the best future mom I can be....and that right now I am totally content, spending lots of time with my hubby and getting to know each other better...(I just wanted to get all that out there) So seriously my dreams are off the hook & I don't know what I am going to be dreaming of next. They are getting more pleasant though....cuz before they were nightmares and people were dying and all that. no bueno. I pray that every time Scott and I say goodnight and sweet dreams....that I really will be dreaming sweet! So as long as they are good dreams that make me laugh and not BAD ones...I'll take em. Bring it on Sand Man!!! Hit me with your best shot!