Tuesday, January 15, 2013

{Um, it's a tad bit chilly...}




I know a lot of you follow me in Instagram, and so you've probably seen my pictures, captioned with titles complaining of the bitter cold here in Utah... but let me just repeat myself, and maybe even expand on this ridiculous phenomenon: your breath practically freezes inside your throat, the entire sidewalk (and street) is covered in ice... not snow...ice -- as in, slip to your death, it's practically an olympic event to get yourself out of bed and to school every morning, AND your feet, NEVER get warm... even after hours of being inside your apartment.

So, stop complaining all you Arizonans ;)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

{It's That Time of Year...}


We decorated the trees for FHE last night since we'll be at the cabin the few days after Thanksgiving; and it's always nice to come back to a house that's fully prepared for the Christmas season :)

Thursday, November 15, 2012

{Thankful}







So this post has been sitting in my "drafts" folder for a good two weeks. I kept debating on whether or not to post it. I know I shouldn't, but it's hard not to care about what people are going to think about me (or my current mental state.) But then again, it is my blog, not anyone else's, and I should be writing for me! As a personal journal about my life... or at least, that's why I started a blog in the first place. So here you have it, judge me if you want ;)

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It's been a while since I've posted, but not without good reason...
School has been totally kicking my butt again this semester, however, I only have a few more months, and then I'll be done forever!! Hallelujah! And, I can live with that, or can at least push through...

My Mom was here in UT last weekend. One of my cousins was going through the temple for the first time, and since we can't be here for his mission farewell over the Thanksgiving weekend, she came to show our family's support...
But you see, my Mom was secretly here on a double-mission! The first being the aforementioned familial support, and the second being the re-building of my own, personal spirit.

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that everyone here on earth goes through trials and hard times. And I don't think what I've gone through is any worse (or even comes close to) the struggles of others. But there are times when your spirit is low, and you become more susceptible to believing in those negative thoughts that sneak creepily into your mind about the kind of person you are, your talents, or lack thereof, the direction of your life, and even the quality of your character.

It started a few weeks ago, when one of my roommates was telling the rest of us about a funny dream she'd had the previous night... She said we were making a movie to introduce our apartment to the ward, and we were filming each other doing the things that we love, or are talented at. She went on to list the different things each girl did, she continued and said "and then it panned to Chelsey with her Diet Coke..." And we all laughed because, let's face it... I DO drink a lot of that goodness. But, secretly, my feelings were a little hurt. And not by anything the girl said on purpose, but I just wanted to be like,
"You know, I've lived a whole seperate life that you have no idea about before I came here, I'm not 19 like you girls, just starting out, and I happen to have talents too..." But that would have been petty; and I know they weren't trying to be mean, and partly, it's my fault, because I don't really talk much about myself or my prior experiences to them... But I was still a little hurt, nonetheless.

Fear and doubt continued to creep into my being as I questioned whether or not I really was good at anything... All of the things I thought I already had down pat seemed to be continually out of my reach. And so the frustration continued, and built. And I felt myself going back to this place I had sworn off; the place where I don't really feel like putting myself out there, or making new friends; where I mentally restrict myself from putting down any roots because I continually view myself as being in a transitional phase... this life here in Provo isn't forever -- just for a bit. It's a safe place, but I really despise it. I don't want to just bide my time, I want to enjoy each day and experience!

Back to the original reason for this post... By the time my Mom got here, I was in bad shape. (and she could tell) The night before she flew in, I was on the verge of a minor break down, when I remembered this tip I'd learned (probably in a magazine somewhere...) The tip says that you should write down everything that's bothering/worrying you before you go to bed so those toxic thoughts don't keep you from getting a good night's rest -- and then when you wake up in the morning (with enough sleep to deal with the day), you have the energy, and a better mindset to tackle those worries. So I made myself a list, thinking that I'd work each item out the next day. And it really did help! I was able to go to sleep faster than if I hadn't have made the list, and would have viewed those thoughts on a repeating reel in my mind.

So my Mom and I sat down on the beds in our hotel room. And one by one, she went through every item on the list with me until we had talked and figured out a solution that I was comfortable with. I cried a lot, and she cried with me, which filled my heart with enough gratitude I thought it would burst! How in the world did I luck out to have her as my Mom?? Without her love, and constant voice of encouragement, I would surely never have made it through even my first month in Idaho! And look -- here I am, halfway through my second adventure of being completely on my own. I just couldn't believe how quickly she erased my self-doubt, and how much I needed her to build me up, yet again.

The entire weekend was thereafter devoted to having fun, and girl-time, and love, and family, and shopping, and good food, and Diet Coke (Mountain-Dew for Mom), and a mini Gossip Girl marathon... it was so perfect, and just what I needed to carry me through 'till Thanksgiving.

I guess I want this to be a shout-outs of sorts, so those of the cyber-sphere can know the amazingness of my Mom. (and yes, I'm aware that's not a real word...) I also want it to be a note to myself (the present, and future me) of what it means to be a mom, who doubles as a best friend. And lastly, I want it to serve as a reminder of the blessings I do have, of all I have to be grateful for.
Because I have some pretty wonderful people sprinkled in my life -- and really, what more can you ask for?

Friday, October 5, 2012

{Oh Happy Weekend!}











I am beyond relieved that it's the weekend! These past few days marked the beginning of what BYU students refer to as "midterms" up here. (What boggles my mind is that they're only the first round of major exams... so they should be called tri-terms, or something...) anyway, whatever, they sucked! I actually had to study for real, and still feel nervous about the pending results. I have more next week, but for THIS here weekend, I'm taking a break! I'm excited to be able to listen to General Conference and the inspired messages that will be shared: a welcome comfort from the stress of the everyday.

The above pictures are from the weekend Sass came to visit (COME BACK) and recent Fall sightings around town. I would go on about how I miss my family, but I'm heading down there next weekend for Chlo-Bo's baptism. (Our last one... I'm only slightly nostalgic, swear!)

*I've been feeling extremely grateful for the wonderful friends I've gotten the opportunity to know and love throughout the past years. I've been tremendously blessed, and am thankful for the individuals who've taught and inspired me, whom I can still call or text and have random, wonderful conversations with as if not a day's gone by since we saw each other, who still make arrangements to meet up when I'm in town, and who remind me of the person I am, even when I'm a state away, or two, and am having to start all over (again). You know who you are...*

In other news, I found this gem on my computer just today! haha! Thanks girlies, for the good laugh.


Sunday, September 30, 2012

{Lost}


So, here's the thing... last year, I somehow managed to stub my toe really hard on one of my roommate's cinder blocks (which were holding up her bed-- you try and make storage space anywhere possible while in college...). I'm pretty sure I broke my toe, like, 99% sure... but for some [stupid] reason, I never got it checked out. And now, months later, that big toe is still giving me trouble. The worst trouble being that I can't wear my favorite, sky-high, nude pumps without being in extreme pain. In fact, most of my heels that are over 4 inches are currently off limits... This might not seem like such a big deal to most people, but I'm honestly distraught! I feel like I'm losing part of my identity :( I'm afraid that because of my neglect, my toe will always be a problem now. GAH!! This is the worst...

Thursday, September 27, 2012

{Would you like some inspiration?}

As this Thursday is nearing an end, meaning the weekend is right around the corner, I wanted to gift you with these beautiful short films...



Obviously, I'm obsessed w/Garance (see previous posts), and this Free People October catalogue is the perfect segue into Fall! Enjoy!

Monday, September 17, 2012

{Beautiful Love}


I know I've already expressed my love for both Scott {the Sartorialist} and Garance, but I'm going to make another plug for this wonderfully talented couple... This movie made my day a little bit better, and maybe it will for you too...

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

{That Day Jay-Z Helped Me Understand Plato}

The craziest thing happened to me today...

For my Theory class, we have to read Plato's Euthyphro in which Socrates is trying to come to a knowledge of the true meaning of piety. The writing is short, but so VERY confusing. (at least it was for me). Socrates goes around and around in circles with this argument of whether piety is being loved by the gods, or whether something is pious because the gods love it... yeah, I know. He makes a fool of his acquaintance Euthyphro for not sticking to a solid argument as they discuss the differing opinions, while not truly understanding it himself... I'm sure we'll discuss it in class tomorrow, and maybe then I'll have a better grasp at the concept being taught.

BUT, on to the main point of this blog post... While I was suffering through the assignment, all that kept going through my head were Jay-Z lyrics from one of my favorite songs "No Church in the Wild."

"Is Pious pious cause God loves pious?
Socrates asked who's bias do y'all seek?
All for Plato, Screech..."

{Light Bulb}

Seriously, who knew that rap could teach me better than a professor ;)

Also, I've always thought that Jay-Z's lyrics were genius. That guy knows a lot about a lot...

Take a listen! Jay-Z sings the first chorus, and the Plato reference is near the end (of the first verse)... if you're not keen on rap, or Kanye West (who sings later) or curse words, I suggest you turn it off before Kanye begins... just sayin'




Saturday, September 1, 2012

{Looking for new Music?}


Every once in a while, I decide to take a break from the beloved Lana Del Rey... and when I do, these guys are first on my list.

How have I not known about them before??? And am I the only one?

Either way... they're amazing, as is this song. Enjoy.




{The Rest of California!}































Sorry for the mad rush of pictures, I just really wanted to be done haha... So here we have:
-Jelly-Belly Jelly Bean factory
-Berkley University
-Pixar Tour
- San Fran Bay boat tour
-Oakland Temple

Phew, Finito!