no more fear

let's just say that I have a few REALLY hard classes this semester.

two words: Physical Chemistry.

I started the semester out so worried that I would not pass the class.

It was stressing me out so much that I needed to do something. so, I thought about what would happen if I failed the class. would it be a little hard? yes. Is it the end of the world? no. Even if I fail the class, it's not the end. I'm still a worthwhile person. There are still other options. and there is always help to ensure that I pass the class.

Today in one of my classes, we went over the concept of wholeness versus perfection. we talked about how we need to stop comparing ourselves to others, and try to change ourselves slowly. how we need to work our hardest, but not give up if we think we will fail. and so much more amazing things that made my day so much better. it only cemented my desire to give up my fear of failure. I already feel so much happier.

so, take a walk today. relax a little. If you don't control your stress now, then it will control you. once you are overwhelmed, life just seems so much harder.

life's going to be a little crazy for the next little while....

I definitely been thrown in to a semester of chaos.

we don't have an ironing board, so all my clothes are wrinkly and I have nothing to wear.
I'm still not unpacked all the way and sometimes can't find the stuff I need.
I am already lost in my P-chem class.
I spent the first 3 days eating sandwiches and fruit. oh how I miss Aspen Grove.
and I am already spending all of my days and nights doing homework. on the second day!
and I have not even started work yet.

It's gonna be great once I get into a routine. but right now I just don't have a good schedule and everything is super chaotic. and I'm annoyed at the girls upstairs that put on super loud concerts every night. what are they doing with their lives? 

haha really though life is quite good. I have super good roommates and I am doing so well at being productive in many parts of my life and that just feels amazing!

General Conference

I'm not perfect about rereading my notes and talks and trying to apply them to my life. but I am trying to get a little better.

In the last few months, I have had a few specific places in my life where I have felt the need for extra guidance and revelation. Both of these times, I was able to find conference talks from the most recent conference that said exactly what I needed to hear. If that is not a testimony building fact, I don't know what is. I think it also goes to show that sometimes answers to our prayers come later. I certainly wasn't needing answers to these questions in April, when conference was on. But now, they are exactly what I needed to hear.

"Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord's assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction."
-Quentin L. Cook

endings and beginnings

school starts in three days.
Aspen grove ends tomorrow

I am quite unprepared for school.
half of my things are still in boxes.
I don't even know half the math I will need for my p-chem class.
I don't like the idea of having homework again.
it's my last year of classes. I am not prepared to think about graduation. at all. sadly... this year is forcing me to do that, with only three or four semesters left.

speaking of which... we have a reading assignment due before my first Political Science class. that is just evil.

but I am excited to meet my new ward.
and I love to learn.
and I can't wait for my sister's reception.
and I love seeing all my old friends.
and Arianne is my roommate!!!
and BYU is pretty much my favorite. It will be nice to be back.

most of all... I am mourning summer's loss. It was too short, though it was a blast! here's to fall semester 2012... it's going to be great!

my sister got married this weekend. it was so fun and she made a beautiful bride! 

 playing at the beach in San Diego

just married :)

 prettiest temple ever!

love it.

the girls.

hungry and a little too excited?

ring and vow exchange. so cute!

wedding ring boxes make fantastic earrings.

sweet car decorations by the sisters.

 and a few lovely jokes from the trip: 

plus:

YOMO (you only marry once.... hopefully.)

respect the elderly. 

singing Starships too many times whenever anyone said 

"let's go to the beach"

summer should be neverending

time is just flying by and I am left wondering where my summer went. The last few weeks have just been so amazing. so much is going to happen in the next couple weeks. I'm excited and freaking out at the same time! 

happenings from the last couple weeks:

obsessively playing Robo Rally... we're addicted

the usual bedding standby shenanigans + pranks on maintenance

learning how to fix a vacuum (could be useful someday)

Olympic watching parties 

looking forward to cleaning days so we can eat wild raspberries

Hunger Games in the dollar theatre

random Thai food outing

cubs that just loved to do my hair. and paint my face. best thing ever. 

an angry parent because her son got lost at the pool. I felt bad.

Fiddler on the Roof...and leaving early because Arianne and I couldn't sit on the grass any longer. 

and the oh so common drives back to AG with Arianne where we obsess about boys. 

life couldn't be any better.

except that I see my family in less than a week.

and I get to go to California.

and I move in to my new apartment soon. 

and I get to see tons of old friends and hopefully make some new ones.

and all the new TV show seasons start. 

and school starts. which I am dreading. 

bucket list for my life!

I know I just published a BYU bucket list recently, but it got me thinking about all the other cool things I wanted to do.

so, without further ado... I present the beginnings of my bucket list!

1. visit the following places: the Netherlands (Summer 2015), Norway, Belgium, Austria (Summer 2015), Italy (Summer 2015) , Spain, France, Switzerland (Summer 2015), London (done-summer 2013), China, Russia, India, New Zealand, Japan, Scotland (done-summer 2013), Bali, and Thailand.

2. take a trip to New York/Boston/DC.

3. grill a pizza

4. go to Harry Potter world

5. pull an all-nighter doing crazy fun things and actually enjoy it

6. eat at the Blue Bayou at Disneyland (done-March 2013)

7. swim with dolphins (yes I have done this once, but I want to again!)

8. camp out during a meteor shower

9. go on a cruise (done-January 2014)

10. own a dog

11. meet a movie star (I saw one in London in June 2015! - Channing Tatum and Matt Bomer)

12. have a garden

13. do a mini triathlon

14. catch a fish (done-May 2014)

15. run Disney princess enchanted 10k

16. Watch a space shuttle launch.