yet another sappy post.

"there are no shades of gray here" said my friend who is currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Jakarta, Indonesia. That phrase really stuck out to me. Why? Oh because although she is in the city of COLOR and exciting adventures, that statement can apply to any place in the world. I often pinpoint Provo as being the epitome of drab, a bubble, sheltered, small, same ol' same ol' etc.
It is not Provo that is drab, it is I that is a drab, a bubble, sheltered, small, same ol' same ol' etc. I choose to make Provo this way. To make my life this way. Sister Rhondeau-- you have inspired me to live with the mindset of "there are no shades of gray here".
I choose to make my life exciting. I choose to make it colorful, and I can make it good. Good as in Great. Great as in Fantastic. Fantastic as in Life changing. I am approaching my senior year at Univerisity. What have I become in the 3 (coming on 4) years I have been here? Am I leaving BYU with the mind of a scholar? A better writer, thinker, and person?

BYU's motto: Enter to Learn; Go forth to serve.

What do I have to offer after I leave my haven of scholarly teachings?

Notewriter: 30x you made my day.

Relapse. Replay. Regress. Reverse. Remember.

I just found about 30 notes written on small squares of paper. They were written by someone I really cared about--someone I was falling for-- not too long ago. I was cleaning my room and opened up a small drawer where they all resided. I had completely forgotten about these notes which had once made my day. Each week I got one of these notes delivered to me and I would laugh, smile and secretly cherish the words written. Some were inside jokes. Some had words of affirmation. Some were simply a joke. And some were words of admiration. I just sat in my room reading the notes smiling but found myself sadly reminiscent of the memories each note entailed.

To the note writer (and you know who you are): I miss you.

Summer Sounds

Alright, my long awaited Summer play list is ready. I had 200 songs which I narrowed down to 57. I do have about 10 songs that I am anxiously awaiting to buy, but haven't been able to because the album is not out yet. But when they do I will let you know! This playlist is a little different sound than I usually go for. However, I love all these songs and I think they are a good combination for the perfect summer pool party sound. I will be putting together a couple other playlists that will be for a summer afternoon picnic, and other relaxing summer sounds. If you click on the song name it will take you to youtube so you can hear what each song sounds like!! Enjoy!
Ready... here we go...
1. "Almost Everything" - Wakey!Wakey!
2. "On Time" (feat. TuPhace) - The Disco Buiscuits
3. "California Gurls" (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Katy Perry
4. "Sans Soleil" - Miike Snow
5. "When the night feels my song" - Bedouin Soundclash
6. "Under Control" - Parachute
7. "Slow Down" - Dry Spells
8. "Scattered Diamonds" - Hungry Kids of Hungary
9. "There is a way" - NewWorldSon
10. "Summer Sun" - Matt Wertz
11. "Something Good can Work" - Two Door Cinema Club
12. "You and your Heart" - Jack Johnson
13. "Que Reste t'il de nos amours" - Claire Chevalier & Rosinha de Valenca
14. "Animal" - Neon Trees
15. "Without a Clue" - Matthew Perryman Jones
16. "Duerme" - Josh Rouse
17. "Everybody knows" - John Legend
18. "Animal" - Miike Snow
19. "You take my troubles away" - Rachael Yamagata and Dan Wilson
20. "Feels like the first time" - Corinne Bailey Rae
21. "Take a chance" - The magic Numbers
22. "The guy that says Goodbye to you is out of his mind" - griffin house
23. "Perfectly Lonely" - John Mayer
24. "Chasing Pirates" - Norah Jones
25. "Good life" - OneRepublic
26. "Summertime" - Josh Rouse
27. "Junebug" - Robert Francis
28. "Everyday" - Vetiver
29. "Wish I" - Jem
30. "Mas Que Nada (feat. The Black eyed peas) - Sergio Mendes
31. "Deja Vu" - Beyonce
32. "Lost without you" - Robin Thicke
33. "Butterflies" - Michael Jackson
34. "Sweet Disposition" - The temper trap
35. "(There is) no greater love" - Amy Winehouse
36. "They bring me to you" - Joshua Radin
37. "Watcha Say" - Jason Derulo
38. "Sospesa" - Malika Ayane
39. "Jai Ho- Pussycat Dolls remix" - A.R. Rahman
40. Beggin" - Madcon
41. "The next time around" - Little Joy
42. "Pretty Please (love me) (feat. Cee-lo)" - Estelle
43. "Hell No" - Sondre Lerche & Regina Spektor
44. " Paradise" - Ana Laan
45. "Replay" - IYAZ
46. "Let it Rock" - Kevin Rudolf
47. "Right as Rain" - Adele
48. "Save Room" - John Legend
49. "Magic Girl" - Sleepy Rebels
50. "Lamento (no morro)" - Sergio Mendes feat. Maogani Quartet
51. "It's Amazing" - Jem
52. "Lady" - Lenny Kravitz
53. "Love" - Matt White
54. "Don't Lie" - Black eyed peas
55. "Only This moment (Radio Edit)" - Royksopp
56. "Rock & Roll" - Eric hutchinson
57. " Golden Love" - Midnight Youth

As requested, I am finally going to post my half marathon experience that happened last Saturday. The half marathon took place May 1st, 2010 on a COLD and WET early morning. It was not the best day to run 13.1 miles. Miriam and I got up around 6 am and got ready. We ate a nice breakfast of Oatmeal and peanut butter toast with a small glass of orange juice. We stretched and drove over to the area designated for the race. We were both excited but I also felt a bit of fear. I was unsure whether it was going to be a good experience or just really hard. We got in line with the 8 minute miler runners and at 8 am the race began. It was an exciting start but still pretty cold. The first 7 miles Miriam and I went pretty fast. We were up with the first 30 runners (out of 300 or so) until mile 8-9. We were getting tired so we slowed down. Each water station was a great sight so that I could get some energy and have a small excuse to walk for a couple seconds. Then the hail started. And boy did it pour down on us. After the hail the rain started and then the snow. For the last 40 minutes I ran through snow and rain. It was cold and unpleasant. But I was determined to finish! I think I prayed the WHOLE time and mentally talked myself into finishing. It was a hard battle but as I sprinted across the finish line I felt immense gratitude to be done and a large amount of accomplishment. Finally after four months of training, I accomplished my goal! WHOO!!!! I finished with 1:57:30 time which is slower than I wanted but who cares! It was my first race. July 10th is the next one I have planned, so hopefully my time will improve. I included some Photos of the race! Enjoy!

Liebe Mutti

Listen.Strength.Love.
Listen is the word that comes to mind when I think of my Mother. Strength is the emotion I feel after she listens to me. Love is the outcome of our relationship. I love my mother. She is the epitome of the word "Mother". Not only does she take care of six children and a husband but she also takes time to enhance her wisdom and knowledge of the Gospel for herself, her family, and church. I love calling home and talking to her about anything and everything. She listens and gives me good advice. Sometimes I just call to tell her a funny story or a random thing I heard or saw that day. Whatever it is I know she genuinely wants to hear from me and we get good laughs out of my busy life. Oh mom, I love you. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for raising me and being a best friend, example and woman I can look up to. You are wonderful!