First Day

Aloha! After an extended break from blogging here I am, back to update and enlighten after a productive summer of learning, working and growing. Translation: I was working my butt off this summer and had no time, patience or creativity left in body to blog.... :) The real truth comes out.  Here is a summary of my summer back home in good ole' Washington:

work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, play at the lake, work, work,work, work, work, work, work, work, camping/boating with Crandalls, work, work, work, work, work,  work, work, movie nights with the J's (John, Jackson, Josh) work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work,work, work, work, work, work, work,   20th Birthday,work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, Leave for Hawaii!!

So that brings us to today! First Day of school and my new University, Brigham Young University Hawaii
                 Here's a picture of my lovely campus for you all to look at in jealousy...

That's right, I go here ;) 

I guess I wont mention also that the beach is about 2 blocks away from campus...

I can tell you that all day, as I walked about campus among classmates and friends, I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace and belonging, a feeling I had yet to achieve since moving to Laie last August. I finally felt that I had achieved my  goal and could proudly say I was a BYU-H student that belonged in class, had earned my spot there and was going to do great things at this school. And I felt this way because I knew it was true! No more convincing myself that I was not some awkward outsider wandering around campus. I belonged!

Please excuse the lame "myspace-esque" picture for my first day outfit, a tradition in my family since kindergarten:

Needless to say I had a great, busy, slightly hectic, blur of a day. But I honestly loved every single moment of it. Being a student again is a great feeling and knowing that I worked and suffered to get that point made it that much sweeter.

 I'm so looking forward to this new and exciting time in my life, and I hope I can turn over a new leaf in my academic career as I strive to study harder, dig deeper and be the good-grade-earning student I know I can be :)

Official Seasider

Last Friday I found out I was admitted to Brigham Young University Hawaii! After 3 attempts at admission over the past 2 years and a move out to Hawaii to increase my chance of getting in, I saw that elusive "admitted" status show up on my application. I could not be happier! The friends I've made, the lessons I've learned, the work I've invested time into, I was so worried I was going to have to leave it all behind me this coming Fall. Not to worry anymore though, I finally can confidently say that I have a college to call my home for the next few years! And it's in Hawaii!! Doesn't get much better than that ;)

Here is my Hawaii School must-do list for my upcoming years here:
1. Own a moped
2. Learn to Surf
3. Grow some beautiful, long, blonde beach hair
4. Try Out for BYUH Cheer squad
5. Get a serious tan
6. Have my whole family come out and visit
7.  Date some cute surfer boys ;)
8. Get better grades than I ever have
9. Make lots of new friends
10. Live the Beach Life! :)

I sleep in and take til 1pm to actually get showered, dressed and ready to take on the world.

I get really distracted from studying in the library and do every possible thing except read the article

I go to the beach and try to literally drown out my thoughts in the sunlight

I call my mommy and tell her all my worries and thoughts because she gives the best advice

I look through old pictures and feel proud to have done what I did

I make up recipes for whatever food I have in my college refrigerator

I write long letters to people who only wrote me a single page, just to show them I care


Thanks to "young people in love" for the great button and the idea for this adorable way to post

How I Feel

Dear Couples,

It isn’t that you are making me uncomfortable and want to leave, its that I don’t like feeling sorry for myself and am therefore preventing said feelings from occurring by exiting this situation.

Sincerely,
Eternal Third-wheel

Spring Wardrobe Wishlist!

These are just a few of the things I have been longing for to enhance my spring clothing options. They would be welcome to join my wardrobe any time they wanted :)


Leopard Print Shoes and Enclosed Heel pumps. Would accept this pair, marrying the two ideas...

                                                                    Anything Coral

                                                         Menswear Tops - any and all colors

                                                                High-waisted Shorts

                                                                 Colored Skinny Jeans

                                                         Jean Top - long or Short sleeved

                                                                       Skinny belts

                          Well-fitting, colorful boyfriend blazer. Also, anything coral.

Now if only i could magically purchase these things without it affecting my budget and bank account. If only if only...

Valentines Day 2012

My friends and I had a war Valentines Day-Night. A full fledged, battle field, mortal combat, paint war. Best Valentines Day in all my 19 years :)

Kahuku Grill First timer

On saturday my friends and I had lunch at Kahuku Grill, a first time for me! Delicious food, relaxed atmosphere, great family-owned vibe and very Hawaii. I had a "Shem Burger"( pretty sure named for one of the brothers who I might add are all extremely good looking!), a delicious burger with fresh guacamole and delicious bacon. Pretty much heaven on a bun. Next time I will have to get the "World Famous Coconut Shrimp" that Suzie keeps raving about. Guess I'll have to go back soon :)

Super Easy Oven Jojos

The other day as I was trying to figure out what to eat, searching through my pathetic array of groceries, when I had a moment of pure genius and microwave-oven jojos were born! (Microwave oven because my apartment does not have a real oven...)

What you need:
- 1 potato
- 2 tsp. vegetable oil
- Lawry's Original season salt
- small ziploc bag
- tin foil sheets

1. Cut the potato into approximately 10 wedges (more or less depending on potato size)

2. Add potato wedges, vegetable oil and season salt (enough to coat wedges) to ziploc bag and shake until wedges are completely coated

3. Place seasoned wedges on tin foil sheets and sprinkle with more seasoning if desired

4. Place in microwave-oven, on broil at 450, for approx. 15-20 mins or until lightly browned

5. Enjoy!

Clueless Chameleon Caretakers

One day, Suzie (my new roommate) and I are laying on the beach when we get a text from our other roommate Lisa. It reads "Guys! look at our new housemate!" and attached is a picture of a bright green, chameleon. We assume she is joking and return home thinking nothing of it. However, soon Lisa walks through our door holding the terrified Chameleon! As she and some of our friends were hiking near a waterfall earlier that day, they spotted this little guy clinging to a branch upside down in the pool of water. Quickly they grabbed it but assuming it to be dead, set it aside. Much to their surprise, they found it moving a few minutes later. So, as any interested critter lover would do having found a new buddy, they brought it home and we attempted to care for the poor little guy. We named is Pascal, but soon found out it was indeed a girl, but the name stuck.  We tried to pamper Pascal with twigs to climb on, peaches and carrots and bugs to eat and even tried to hand water her. It was only 2 days later that we came to the sad but necessary conclusion that letting her go was the best thing to do. Living in a sideways, mesh hamper in a girls college apartment isn't exactly ideal chameleon living conditions...We were sad to see Pascal go but i'm sure she is happier where she is now, hopefully munching away on some jungle bugs and crawling with other chameleon friends. So that's the story of my brief experience as a Chameleon caretaker :)

Home for the Holidaze

So I've been home for a few weeks now and I'm well past that "honeymoon phase". Meaning, my family is now requiring me to do chores and contribute to family life once, I'm no longer the long lost child, returned and cherished and babied. Darn. It had to happen at some point though.  Despite this, coming home has been such a blessing; one of the greatest feelings, to get back and immediately fall right into the clockwork that is your family life. Reminds you that no matter how long you are gone or how far you go, you are part of a family and they will always know you better than anyone else. Cliche and said too often, I know, but what the heck it's the darn truth!

Anyways, some fun shots from Christmas with my own family

I'm such a good blogger...

I have neglected you blog. I'm truly sorry. But you know what, i was busy. Can you handle the truth? Ok, I was having too much fun with  my new friends to sit down and write! Can you blame me? So now the semester is almost through, a few more weeks till Christmas break. I think i'm going to recap the things i've learned this semester:

1.  Its ok to not eat like a queen every night. You will not starve.
2.  In high school it was all about having a cool car. Simply having a bike now is stinking amazing!
3.  Getting letters from missionaries, friends and family is like mini Christmas. Also, packages rock.
4.  Sharing is caring. Don't be stingy.
5.  Learning to sleep with the light on is a skill everyone should master. My roommate studies a lot.
6.  Don't let your feelings get hurt by someone you barely know. Give them the benefit of the doubt
7.  Understand that people are not always right and your opinion is valid no matter what.
8.  People are going to use you and forget about you. Don't let it ruin your spirit and ability to care.
9.  Share your talents! Show off a little!
10.  Strive to create lasting bonds with those who understand you the best. They are worth the effort!

Hope that wasn't filled with as many trite phrases and cliches as I thought it was...

My best friend will miss me i think

Hawaii bound

In two days I'm moving to Hawaii
In two days I move out for the first time
In two days I say goodbye to my family for four months
In two days I begin a life on my own, an ocean away from everything i'm used to.
In two days everything will change and I'm ready for it!

Wish me luck and check in to read about my adventures :)