Dust In The Wind by Kansas

So one of my FAVORITE things to do in this whole world is make music with my Dad. He plays the guitar, I play the violin. And he's been begging me for . . . forever to buckle down and learn the violin part to Dust in the Wind. So, thanks to my incredible Suzuki ear training I did as a child, I was able to pick out the part, and my Dad and I played. It was fantastic. I just love playing with him . . . and I love playing with Seth too! I just love my musical family!

In other news, I've been working on the guitar. A cute boy in Logan taught me some chords, and how to play "Hallelujah." And this week, I strummed out "Picture to Burn" and "Our Song" by Taylor Swift. So dang fun. Why have I not picked up the guitar before?

HOMEEEEEE

Well. I'm back in Heber. I've been back for a week.
And I really don't like it.
Granted, it'll probably get better once I start working.
But here's the thing.
I have zero friends anymore.
Okay, that's not entirely true.
Yeah . . . my families great and all.
But my Heber friends? On missions or working.
And all my other friends? Live two hours or more away.
So, basically, I have no social life anymore.
However, I've done some awesome things this week.
First of all, I met with my advisor at UVU. Things are coming along there.
Next, I bought $5 jeans.
Then I had some chinese food.
And then I went on a horse ride, and remembered how much I really like riding
I read Wuthering Heights on my trampoline
Then I mowed the whole lawn and got sunburnt (the good news is that it's tan today)
And today, I went to a rodeo, and I wore cowboy boots.

So, good things are happening in my life. Not so much socially, but I think it's going to be a good summer.

And so, here I am. The slightly more tan version of the person who moved back from Logan last week. I think I'm nearly caught up on my sleep from the past year. But I miss my roomates dearly. August 2010 to May 2011 were the BEST months of my life. Good things are most assuredly ahead. I hope.

Practicing the Bass?

Okay, so this just makes me laught. I got interrupted here so many times I just gave up. I actually did this a couple weeks ago, and let me tell you, I had a HARD time with the Bass. It's twice my size!

I have LOVE learning new instruments this year! Flute, Clarinet, Cello, Viola, Bass. It's been FANTASTIC.

That's all.

The We Hate Boys CD

Today was a glorious day. Actually, the whole past month has been pretty glorious. Sure, we've had school to do (and I turned in a pretty dang great research paper for English . . . just saying). Lately we been doing a bunch of stuff . . . four-wheeling in Hooper, baby ice-creams, taking cute pictures (eh, maybe I'll show you those later), making and eating delicious food . . . okay, I can't remember everything. But let's just say, I haven't been getting much sleep cause heck, it's my last week!

Anyways, today we lost LeAnne. Okay, not necessarily lost, but she moved out today. And it makes me kind of sad.

But before she left, we made sure to finish something we've being working on all semester.

A "We Hate Boys" CD.

Okay, is this the truth? Not really. Boys are pretty dang fantastic. But sometimes, you just need those songs that just feel so relevant to your life when things in the girl-boy department don't go as planned.

And I think we have a great selection. Granted, they are pretty much all country songs. Mostly girls. Here we go:

Mean by Taylor Swift
Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood
Best Days of Your Life by Kellie Pickler
Forget You by Gwyneth Paltrow (Glee Version)
That Don't Impress Me Much by Shania Twain
Misery by Maroon 5
Red High Heels by Kellie Pickler
Better Than Revenge by Taylor Swift
You Lie by The Band Perry
Songs Like This by Carrie Underwood
King of Anthing by Sara Bareilles
The More Boys I Meet by Carrie Underwood
Picture to Burn by Taylor Swift
Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood
Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy by Chris LeDoux

So basically ladies, feel free to listen to any of these when you're having a "we hate boys moment." Okay, great.

Country Music

I guess hanging out with a couple cowboys has rubbed off on me. Let's see . . . George Strait, Chris LeDoux, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Reba, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, and okay, let's be honest, Taylor Swift. And Johnny Cash. Heck, I love him! Interesting. I have definitely been on a country kick lately. And I'm loving it! It's some dang good stuff. Life is good. Been a little more western than usual lately. . . lots of cowboy time for me and Jen. Been shootin', watchin' some John Wayne (and my first Clint Eastwood), ridin' in trucks in the mountains, playin' a little poker, and of course, listenin' to lots of country music.

Man! I Feel Like a Woman! by good old Shania Twain

Well, first of all, I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do. It's been great lately. Shown are several of the adventures I've had lately with the wonderful Jen and LeAnne. I'm going to miss them a ton. But, as Shania says, women have the "perogative to have a little fun." Thus:

Modeling by random buildings on campus

Practicing our cartwheels by the Temple

As Jen would say, "I need to find me a man with a pick-up!"


And here I am, trying to be seductive with a curly fry. Don't judge me.

And puddles? Well, Jen and I've got the rainboots for it. I feel like this picture is so climactic.

Action shot with LeAnne!

Let's revisit the puddles! I think yes.

Okay, this one requires a back story. The other night, a cowboy named Tyler wrote on the back of a cowboy named Garrett's truck: "Wyoming Cowboy, call me, {insert number here}"

Well, Jen and I thought it would be hilarious to write "Don't Call, I'm mean!" on the windows . . . sadly, it then started snowing and that washed the paint off. Shoot. It was a good effort.

I guess all this is is to prove how much fun I'm having here at college. And don't you worry, I'm getting some school work done too. But my roomates and I definitely have that so called "perogative." Thanks, Shania.

Life is Good. Real Good.

Honestly, no particular song comes to mind tody. I just want to relate how I am so blessed.
I got to spend the last week with my wonderful family.
I had my dad to myself all day on Thursday -- which was a big deal. I never get to see that man, he's so dang busy all the time, what with work and the bishopbric and everything. We went shooting and THEN skiing. I've never been skiing in my life. And it was a blast! I picked it up faster than I thought I would. I love my Dad. He just helped me up everytime I fell, and we just laughed together and enjoyed the beautiful world God created for us.
I got to go out to lunch with my Mom. We went to this adorable Italian place. Oh Italy. We both wish we could go back. I love my mom so much. As I've left, I've found that it's so much easier to talk with her about everything in my life. She made me a cherry pie because I was home last Sunday. Mmm.
Seth is Seth. He's a goofy kid. Asked a girl out to prom this week. Way to be. And I'm amazed at how he can just qualify to go to the first track meet, no big deal . . . and why don't we get 3rd place in an event while we're at it. He doesn't even have to try to be fantastic at athletics. Sheesh.
Rebekah is so cute. This week, they had a fashion show for mutual in her Young Women's. I pulled out my old dresses and helped her try them on. Oh goodness, she is going to be QUITE the catch when she's older. She's pretty and bubbly and, if you're in 8th grade at RMMS, you should definitely vote for her, cause she's running for 9th Grade Female Representative this next week.
Luke gives the best hugs ever. I feel sorry for you if you've never experienced a hug from my best 9 year old buddy. He is such a good kid. And quite the pro at the pogo stick. I got to go to the annual Primary Talen Show on Friday night. Holy heck. That is some GOOD stuff.
Cousins of course . . . singing Wicked with Alexis in my car, talking about boys with Dani, getting a big bear hug from Kyle. Good stuff.
My amigos: Liz + salsa + swings. Good times. Going to lunch with good old Joe. Dairy Keen with some holy cheese amigos -- Brittany and Camille. Love them.
And apartment shopping. A little overwhelming. I'm sometimes REALLY sad that I have to leave all the wonderful people I've met up here in Logan. But Ellie Warren and I spent hours on Friday going all over Provo. Just on a waiting list so far (#2 on that list, to be exact) -- and I know somehow it's all going to work out.
But I am definitely going to miss a bunch of people up here. . .
Hanging out with the cowboys -- and sometimes Tucker (though that doesn't necessarily mean that I enjoy having water balloons thrown at me and Jen at 1:00 in the morning . . . ahem).
The 4th floor boys. Oh goodness. They are great.
All the great people in the music department, and in my symphony (Alissa!)
Great people in my ward
And don't even get me started on my roomates. I feel SO lucky that I get along with each and every one of them. They are wonderful, talented, beautiful, intelligent, happy girls and I am going to miss them SOO much.

But it's a beautiful sunny Sunday. And only more good things to come. Life is good.