BYU Sports

I have a slight obsession with this sport ^. and with this one....


So you could understand that I'm just a little bit excited that basketball officially starts tonight. and that the football season isn't quite over. Best time of the year for sure..


Oh yeah. And we are going to get snow tonight.

It's a cycle, and it just keeps going

I always know when things are about to spiral out of control. I shut down and stop doing the essential things that I know are going to get me through. My motivation slows to a abrupt halt and I can't seem to find any spare motivation lying around. I'm stuck. And frustrated. And it feels like I can't get out.

I love BYU. Don't get me wrong. It's not that I dislike anything that I'm doing (even though my roommates might tell you otherwise). It's just that I get stressed. And for some reason, in my academic life, I deal with stress but shutting down until the last possible second, and then I word-vomit productivity out of my brain. It feels like if I wait until the last minute and have no choice but to do it, it somehow comes easier, or better. And I absolutely hate that about myself. At the beginning of the semester I was so on top of everything. My assignments and readings were done on time, if not early. I was motivated, excited, ready to learn and to do my best. And I'm still ready to learn. But somewhere along the line I lost some of my preparedness, some of my excitement. And now I'm just praying that i can somehow find it again.

I feel like I've really been neglectful by not writing about my roommates. So here's the rundown.

Obviously, Marisa is my roommate. We've been best friends for six years. She's what keeps me sane, and she's who makes me laugh more than anyone else.

Next is Xan-- we call her Peach. She's from Georgia. She loves Georgia. She's our youngin. She's loud and crazy and on the color guard. Also, she doesn't cook. Take it back. She could cook if I gave her a specific recipe and told her to cook it. She is just very indecisive.

Then we have Jerina. From Hawaii. Yeah, she's pretty cool. It's fun to have our little Hawaiian girl. Love her to death-- she is always so sweet and looking out for everyone. She and I make pancakes for the rest of the girls every Sunday morning. It's tradition.

Alyssa is the oldest, and is getting married in June. She spends her weekends with her boyfriend, so we don't see her all of the time, but she's in the English teaching program so it's fun for me to have someone to ask questions about what I will have to be doing soon.

Jessica is the other apartment blogger. She's a writer and works an incredibly early custodial job on campus. I couldn't do it and I'm impressed that she can.

Those are the girls. Having a blast with them, and so excited for some time to go by so we can throw Alyssa a bridal shower.

Bonfires, Mini Golf, and IHOP

Sometimes I miss the ease of summer semester so much that it frustrates me. School has been overwhelming and I am starting to really feel the heat from some of my classes. No matter how much I work to catch up, I am ALWAYS BEHIND. But I am learning so much that it almost doesn't bother me. Almost.

On the bright side, we've been really lucky to make some great friends in our ward and have had some really great experiences so far. Last night for FHE, we went to my favorite (OK maybe not my favorite) place in Provo, Canyon Glen Park up the Provo Canyon for a bonfire. I think that I could just put down a blanket and sit in that park for hours, no bonfire, no entertainment. It is so relaxing and peaceful and beautiful, and I have amazing memories from the summertime. I am really blessed to have a great FHE family and had plenty of fun trying to start a fire, roasting marshmallows and Starbursts, doing crazy dances that we learned from our British girls, and listening to an amazing spiritual thought.

Sunday night, after an amazing dinner at Nan's, I came home to Heath, Jerina, and Xan (roommates and a friend) setting up a mini golf course in the apartment. Now, every time Heath is over, it is time to play golf apparently. I would just like to point out that the Georgia cup is the cup we put on the ground. Good thing Xan doesn't read this.

It wouldn't be freshman year if we didn't do 12.30 am IHOP runs. Just slightly hilarious.

I am so lucky, and loving school. Just a LITTLE bit jealous that my family is headed to Rocky Point tomorrow. Oh Mexico, I miss you!

It's Cold

Let me explain to you...

-it snowed in the mountains

-it's supposed to snow down here. today.

-the 46 degree walk to class at 7:45 felt mighty warm when i left class at 11:50.

-my nose is red.

that's all.

I got Tagged

Kirsten tagged me in this blog post, so I thought that I would go along with it...since I'm not doing anything else at work (except for the stack of papers to be filed). Here are the rules. List ten Honest things about myself and tag 10 other bloggers who I think are honest in their blogging.

Here is a little insight on me:

1. I have a slight obsession with TV shows. It's lessened...a lot..since I've been at school, but I still have to watch some of my shows online.

2. I have separation anxiety when I'm away from my best friend too long. It's odd. I know. But I'm ok with being odd.

3. I drink a lot when I go out to eat. Not like..."drink"...but I have like 3 cups of water to every one cup of water that my friends drink. I'm just thirsty.

4. My dishwasher has been "broken" for the past month and a half. Last night, SURPRISE. It's not broken. We've just been handwashing dishes because we like to.

5. Sometimes, I'm socially awkward.

6. I get really frustrated that people are totally fine with hanging out with me until they find out I'm a freshman. Usually by the time they realize it though, we're already friends. And they're stuck...Can't tell you how many time's I've heard "You're 18?!?!"

7. I get really nervous about school. Because I know that I want to be an English teacher, but I'm not the best writer, and I'm not the best at grammar. But I really love to teach. And I love English. And that's what should matter, isn't it?

8. People rarely spell my name right. And sometimes it really irks me. It shouldn't, should it? But sometimes, it does. And other times, I almost wish I could change the spelling whenever I wanted. That would be kind of cool.

9. I really love BYU. And the temple (except for how cold it is on the way to the temple at 6 am). And being LDS in general. It's awesome.

10. I'm really bad at asking for help in simple things. I wish I wasn't. Mom's fault. Thanks Mom. haha kidding!

I tag Leigh Ann, Jen, Amber, Alicia, Jessica.

"Wanna Go Home"

I am so excited. I am so excited. I am so excited. I'M COMING HOME. I can't wait. Countdown is less than four days, and I am going crazy I am so excited.

Things that I'm excited for:

1. Home cooked meals.
2. Conference on the couch.
3. Seeing a movie with sissa and buddy.
4. Just being home.
5. Seeing the Merrill kiddos.
6. Stealing things (like shampoo and toothpaste) from mom's stash.
7. A good washing machine.
8. A car to go places.
9. mattie's face.
10.hami vs. chandler??

and so many more things

What I'm packing:

1. enough clothes to get me through the weekend.
2. a toothbrush.
3. makeup.
4. my scriptures.

and that's about it. because i'm going to steal lots of things from home. like a few loaves of homemade bread? my dad thinks i'm crazy. i probably am.

but i'm going home.

This Man

This man is called of God. I can't even think to try to deny that after this morning. I am blessed enough to attend BYU, where I, this morning, got the opportunity to sit on the second row of the Mariott Center, and listen to the Prophet of God teach the students of this amazing University of those men of God that came before him. He spoke of the favorite foods and songs of the prophets that have presided during his life time. He spoke of their guidance and of what message they would want us to know.

He told us that Heber J. Grant would have told us to be persistent, to never give up.
That George Albert Smith would urge us to have a compassionate heart and to serve those around us. That David O. McKay would want us to have consideration for others, not ourselves. He reminded us of Joseph Fielding Smith's example and advice to be studious, of Harold B. Lee's ability to be persuasive, and of Spencer W. Kimball's true and complete devotion to serving the Lord. He advised us to be, like Ezra Taft Benson, generous in all that we do, and to be courteous, searching for the best in people as Howard W. Hunter did. Finally, he spoke of our last beloved prophet and of his guidance to us. President Monson told us that President Hinckley would have us always do our best, that we should honor holy ground like he always did, that we should know with a surety that Jesus lives.

Last of all, he told us to look to our Savior for direction just as we look to those great prophets that have led His church in these latter-days.

I am so incredibly blessed to be able to sit in the room with the man who communicates with God in a way that I cannot even comprehend. I know that he is a prophet.

Sometimes...

I want to sleep in so bad that I would rather cut off my right arm than go to class.

Marisa and I laugh so hard that I think I might die.

My roommates make me smile. or roll my eyes. or love my life.

I miss my home and family so much that I want to cry. and most of the time I do.

I really love my job. Especially days like today when I had to go bed bug hunting and just the sight of my boss picking up the mattress was priceless.

I think that college is exactly the right place for me to be.

I don't think college is the right place for me.

I'm amazed that I got into BYU, and amazed at how AWESOME this school is. I am so lucky.

I'm so proud of my best friend that she probably thinks I'm dumb.

I want to explore every part of Provo.

I forget a world exists outside of Provo, and when I'm reminded, just want to GET OUT OF HERE.

All of the time, I'm loving my life more and more.

I miss you guys.

A lot.

Overwhelmed but Excited

This pretty much explains my BYU experience this far. I can't explain the excitement...something about a new school year just really is thrilling to me. I absolutely love to learn. I'm one of the few people I know that get excited over buying new pencils. Maybe it's a good thing that I want to be a teacher?

But I also have this awful fear of failing. I dread feeling inadequate. And I'm learning that I'm just going to have to get used to it. There's nothing I can do about it. All of my classes are going to be a lot of work and a lot of time. I'm so nervous. But...I am SO EXCITED.

I love college so far. I know I've only been in class for 3 days, but so far, the challenge of learning these new things is super exciting to me. I may not be able to do anything for the next four years of my life, but I sure will learn a lot!

First Birthday out on my own

So all that I have to say is that I have to have the best roommates EVER. Really, my best friend is the best roommate I could ever ask for. She stayed up until 2 am to decorate our huge white board so that I would have an awesome surprise in the morning. The girls all had a present for me, and I got to open a present from my mom this morning too. Its been such a wonderful day, and I absolutely love my new ward. I'm crazy emotional though, and it's really hard to be away from my family. Its all an adventure...and I promise to write more about the roommates soon! 

Anyone out There?

All of the friends that I made over summer have gone away. Home, on vacation...anywhere but Provo. So for now, the girls and I are stuck trying to figure out something to do. With the 4 of us. Should be fun...

Wish List

Add these to my wish list...


http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50151001.



$9.99. Ikea.

i want these

I want one of these headbands so bad.


http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6920784.





so very, very bad.

"Off Campus Housing, this is Alli"

Work work work. I am the newest receptionist/representative in the Off Campus Housing Office at BYU. I answer phone calls, help anyone who comes in the office, and go out into apartments and do inspections for students and landlords. I really like my job. However...

I GET BORED. Yesterday I finished a book. Today, I'm blogging. and it's only 9:15 in the morning. I've heard that we are about to get realllll busy. I sure hope so. And I'm positive that I will be longing for this free time once we start getting crazy. But for right now, I'm just hopin' and wishin' and prayin' that something fun comes my way...

I'm all moved into my new apartment. Waiting for roommates to come join me. Wondering how in the world I have managed to accumulate SO MUCH STUFF. And bewildered as to where to put it all. Marisa usually is the one to know where to put everything. I don't love my new apartment, but I'm learning to love certain things about it. Like...

• my AWESOME white board that is already mounted on the wall
• comfortable COUCHES with super cute PILLOWS that mom made
• living in a BASEMENT apartment

And then there are things that I really am just STRUGGLING WITH. Like...

• the showerhead that is approximately 4 inches shorter than me
  
• having absolutely no kitchen shelve space
  
• the lack of lighting

There are always pros and cons....I'm just hoping to find more PROS as the weeks go on.

Provo+Europe

I have been absolutely awful at posting on some of the most important things that have happened to me. Europe was truly incredible. I'll do another post soon to tell all about it, but I can't even describe how amazing it was. We got to sing in St. Mark's Basillica in Venice, and see the Queen's car in London. We got to sing in a tiny, enclosed castle in Montreaux, Switzerland, and visit the Swarvoski store in Austria. I am so lucky to have had this experience and to have met the people that I met. And then...
PROVO. I've been living here for just over a month now. And I absolutely love it. I have had so much fun and have met some great friends so far. School starts in 2 weeks, and I'm counting down the days still the start of school (because that will mean someone had a birthday!!) and excited for all of my roommates to move in so I can get to know them. It will be interesting moving into this new apartment after being in the one I've been in the past summer. The weather up here is INCREDIBLE and I've so enjoyed being out of the AZ heat...although I loved going home last weekend. I'll post Provo pictures here too...but go to my facebook if you want to look at all of the europe/provo pictures!! will update soon...I promise.

GRADUATION

It finally happened. I am done. And loving summer. I don't know how much my mom loves me having summer because I don't really do anything. Today all I have done is read and go to the gym and teach 2 voice lessons. I love it. But she doesn't! Graduation was on the 30th and it was really a great day! I leave 2 weeks from yesterday for Europe, come home for a day, and then head to Utah. Should be full of adventures...can't wait. 

CATCH UP

Prom was a lot of fun! I've never understood the whole hype of prom, and i guess i really still don't. BUT I did have fun...All State choir was this past weekend in Tucson and was so much fun. I feel really lucky to have been in the choir the past three years, especially this year when it wasn't a normal year for me. I loved the whole weekend, the friends I made, and the music I learned. Only 4 and a half weeks of school left. Hallelujah!! I have really nothing else new in my life, I'm very excited to be done with AP tests next week!

Prom Pictures :)

Goodbye

Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song down no matter how silly it sounds.
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? Angel- Jack Johnson

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Right Round- Flo Rida

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Gravity- Sara Bareilles

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Hero/Heroine-Boys Like Girls

WHAT'S YOUR LIFE PURPOSE? Anyone Else But You- The Moldy Peaches

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Go Girl- Pitbull

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Wine Red- Like Vines

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Can't Behave- Courtney Jaye

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Nearer My God To Thee- Brandon Brown

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? 4 Minutes- Madonna feat. JT

What is your life story? Sunshine- Matt Costa

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? I Miss You- Blink-182

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? You Can- David Archuleta

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Moonlight Sonata- Beethoven

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Breathe- Taylor Swift

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? You're Not Sorry- Taylor Swift

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? It's Only Life- Kate Voegele

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Don't Stop the Music- Rhianna

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? My Life Would Suck Without You- Kelly Clarkson :)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? Risque- Cute is What We Aim For

HOW WILL YOU DIE? Oh, it is Love

THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? The Way I Am- Ingrid Michaelson

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Right Now- Akon

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? To Be With You- David Archuleta

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? Violet Hill- Coldplay

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? Forever & Always- Taylor Swift

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? Crush- David Archuleta

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? Just Dance- Lady GAGA

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? Hope You're Happy- Dashboard Confessional

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Goodbye- Secondhand Serenade (funny how that worked out)

More Trip Pictures!! oh...and prom dress?

I have a confession...

I blog stalk. Maybe it's because I have the phone I have, but I love just sitting and reading people's blogs. It fascinates me to see what people write about, what they deem important enough to share with the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm just a lunatic writing on here, so I love reading everyone else's thoughts and ramblings. Enough about me being a creep.

I thought I would post California pictures! I had such an amazing time with my best friends on the beach and at Disneyland! I am so lucky that I get to go to Europe and to college with my best friend!! Hope you all enjoy the pictures...we went for a choir competition, and we got first place and gold medals in both divisions we were in! It was an amazing trip...

HELP!

Well, the newest adventure in my life has been the VERY REAL search for an apartment. Marisa and I will be moving up to BYU the day after we get home from Europe. It feels a little bit overwhelming and crazy right now, but I guess that this is what best friends are for. She has to take a class in summer semester to get into fall semester, so we are moving up in the summer for her to take that class. Get this, she is taking a jogging class. Hopefully she can pass on some of her new jogging knowledge to me because I absolutely hate jogging on most days. Other than that, however, we will be doing....absolutely nothing. We will try to get jobs, but we are under the impression that we can't get a job on campus because we won't be enrolled and because we would only want an off campus job for about 6 weeks, we don't think that we will be able to get a job at all. Hopefully we will. But before we can even figure out this whole job situation we need to figure out a place to live. Why is it so hard?! I just keep hearing from everyone how easy it is to find an apartment near campus during the summer, but that doesn't change that I've never done it and have no idea how to do it. And that it seriously stresses me out to even think about getting myself and Marisa an apartment. I love the idea of being so independent but lets face it, I'm 17 years old and have never had to do anything like this before. I can't wait to move to Utah though. I am very, very excited. Hopefully some of my Utah friends and cousins will come and make sure we are entertained during July and early August!! So, school is really almost over. It is incredibly surreal. One more quarter and I am done! It is a huge relief but I really can't believe it.

This past weekend I was on trek. It was really hard and a big challenge for me, especially being one of the older kids and feeling like I had to be an example. The first day, after pulling about 10 miles through 2 feet deep sand and up hills and over rocks, I was ready to sleep. It was awesome to have the opportunity to just walk and think. Nature has a way of reminding me what Heavenly Father has blessed me with...especially because "nature" isn't on the top of my blessings list. The second day was very likely the hardest. About five miles of pulling straight through the sand left me worn out and ready to sit down and never get back up. However, after a lesson with all of the other women, it was time for activities. We could shoot guns, do archery, jump rope, make leather bracelets, or get our hair washed. I'll give you one guess to figure out which was the most popular stop. The line was so long as I walked past the hair washing tent to archery that I decided to stop and ask if they needed help. Instead of doing any of the other activities, I washed hair the rest of the afternoon. It was tiring to stand up and wash, but definitely worth it when the lines cleared up and Marisa washed my hair. I appreciate so much the amazing luxuries I have in my home. I loved my trek family and all of the experiences I had this time through trek...thank goodness it is only every 4 years!!

Choir Concerts

We're on our second to last choir concert. our FIFTEENTH choir concert. It feels so strange to know that this huge part of my life is so close to ending...only one more before its over. Hours have been dedicated to this music, and there is something so rewarding in that. That I have worked HARD and now I get to share with others what I've worked so hard for. On the other hand, sometimes choir concerts are just frustrating for me. I feel like I don't get to sit down and enjoy them. So tonight, I'm going to. I AM NOT GOING TO MC. Hallelujah. No sitting backstage the whollle time. I get to be a normal student. Love it!!

I love my friends and I'm so glad we get to be in choir together. It's been fun to have people to talk to about choir things to...and to go to our many, many events. I LOVEEEE THESE GIRLS. They are my best best best friends and I'm so grateful for them (Yes, I know you're reading this T) Love you all dearly!!

Best Friends!!

BLOG LOSER

I've neglected my blog. And I just found out that there is a scholarship out there for people who blog about their PASSIONS. ummm hello? what else do people blog about. So, let me begin blogging again. Not because I should have to get a scholarship, but because I remembered the purpose. I LOVE to do this. I'MMM BACK!!

Missed you all dearly. Since I last blogged, my good friend Kirsten is pregnant, (yay friend!!), I got accepted to BYU- Idaho AND BYU (yay Kirsten's baby can have a babysitter!), I've made the Arizona Southwest Regional Choir for the 3rd year in a row, and I am almost a 3rd quarter senior. 10 more lonnnng weeks of school. And then I'm done. And then Europe. And then COLLEGE. Hallelujah.

Can I just explain to you how awful the past few weeks have been, knowing I'm accepted to college and yet, sitting in high school. Can anyone say senioritis?!? It's awful. Really. Ok no more complaining, because my life is AWESOME. I could not ask for better friends or family. They have been so amazing to me lately. As soon as I can figure out how to be smart, I'm going to post my senior project on here....with the actual Wicked music. Which, by the way, my mom just bought tickets to. WICKED. TWICE THIS SUMMER. Happy happy, joy joy. I'm thrilled.

It's hard growing up. Don't laugh at me ok! Applying for jobs and scholarships is really not fun at all. AT ALL. Good "learning experience I suppose. "It'll make ya tough"...thats what Dad would say anyways. I'm so close to being ready to say BYE BYE to my senior year. YESSSSSS. I'm really just done. It's been a great learning year, but i am sooo done. Good to chat with you all again! I'm trying..ok!?!