Friday, October 29, 2010

Let's just talk about how much I love my life today.
Here's why.

I'm starting to write for the sports section of the Statesman a little bit. Kind of nervous, but it will be fun. I'm starting by covering the soccer game on Sunday and then doing a feature on one of our basketball players. Should be sweet!

One of my really good friends has been making awesome changes and improvements in his life, and it makes me super super happy. He keeps me in the loop of it all, and I think it's brought us a lot closer. He's kind of had to put up with a lot of crap lately, so everything he's doing is so great and I love it! Any time we talk about any of it, it makes my day/week/life!

The first regular season basketball game is tomorrow. We'll be spending the day in Heaven (and by Heaven I of course mean the Spectrum) and it will be wonderful.

After the game, begins the Halloween stuff. Which to Erin and I equals watching Elf. Don't judge.

I'm actually dressing up for Halloween-esque stuff tonight... We're crashing the ward Halloween party of our old awesome ward, and then heading to the Great Gatsby party the SigEps are putting on. Love the 20s.

Last night was the first of a few USU Open Houses that I get to attend/work at. It's nights like that that remind me that I am in fact heading in the right direction. I love talking to students about Utah State and telling them how wonderful it is. If I can get paid to be a part of that, why not? Nice little answers to constant prayers like that are kind of awesome.


And... happy 200th post!!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Monday, October 25, 2010

One Year Older

To most people, October 25 doesn't really mean anything.
But anytime anyone says it or talks about the day, I get really excited.
October 25 is a great day.
Birthdays are great days.
Probably my favorite day of the year, actually.

Today has been fantastic.
I have awesome friends.
Mother Nature gave me snow unfortunately, but oh well.
The (attractive) missionaries stopped by. They sang to me.
With their Australian and Slovenian accents, yes please!

The ward planned my birthday party for me.
Ok, so maybe it just so happened that my birthday is on a Monday and Monday equals FHE.
But we're going to the corn maze.
And then people are coming over for cake.
I love cake!

The whole 21 thing is interesting...
It's not like I'm really going to go out and do the things you can do with the age...
Minus the Fun Bus to Wendover, that is...
But there's just something about it.
I feel like this is the legit adult age, more so than 18.
I feel like I'm expected to actually grow up or something.

I'll tell you one thing though, I have officially accomplished my goal of not being married until after I was 21!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Homecoming 2010

There's something wonderful about Homecoming week.
There's a certain crisp in the air.
It is a week full of traditions.
It is a week to come together as an Aggie family.

I love the excuse to get dressed up for the dance.
I love the excuse to kiss a random stranger I'll probably never see again.
I love being involved in so many aspects of the week.

It's a very emotional week for me.
Especially the Saturday stuff.
Weird, I know.

This morning was the traditional parade.
I was driving a car full of Aggies (the Alumni Association director, his wife, and their grandkids) down Main Street, I got to watch a lot of people.
There's something truly beautiful about hundreds of people all dressed in Aggie Blue, cheering for everyone who comes by.
I saw an adorable family getting their picture taken. It was a three-generation group, and it was a beautiful sight.
I may or may not have teared up a little.
Don't judge.

After the parade I headed to Romey Stadium where they were unveiling the new Merlin Olsen statue.
(I'll do a whole post of that sometime this week.)

I stood through the longest, most miserable football game of my life.
(maybe next to the San Jose game from last year...)
I froze. I was soaking wet.

But I loved every second of this week.

I love this time of year.
I love the leaf crunching and puddle jumping.
I love my birthday.
I love Homecoming.
I love being an Aggie.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Sometimes I really love working at catering.
Ok most the time.

My favorite events we do are the ones at President Albrecht's house.
It is a BEAUTIFUL home and the events are always attended by important people.
Because of the location and the guests, it is all our nicest food and dishes.
We walk around serving wine and sparkling cider and feeling all legit.
President Albrecht is really nice and wonderful to work for.
All the people who usually come to his house are important to the university and have usually donated a lot of money.
It's events like these, along with other ones hosted by the president that make me want to grow up and be like them.
I want to be in the Old Main Society one day.
To become a member of Old Main Society, you have to donate at least $25,000 to the university.
No big deal right?

But really.
I have gotten so much from being here.
Coming to USU was the best thing I ever did.
And I never could have done it if it weren't for the money and experiences I've been given.
The least I can do is give back right?

One day I will be a part of the Old Main Society.
Then I will be attending events at the president's home.
Not just working at them.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Goal: To Change the World

I love documentaries.
I could watch History, Discovery, and National Geographic channels for hours. 
In fact, I do.
Well, did when I had TV. Now I have to watch them on Netflix.

However, there are times that my documentary watching can become a problem. 
Every time I watch one, it makes me want to change the world.
We have it so lucky here, and if there's anything I can do, why am I not?

Last night I watched China's Lost Girls. It is a National Geographic special with Lisa Ling (who I LOVE!)
It talks about the "population control" system in China.
There are so many little girls who are abandoned, placed for adoption, or in the worst case aborted.
If they fight hard enough, and pay enough money, Chinese parents can keep their second child. But because it is so much and so hard, most of them don't do it. They have their first, hope it's a boy, and call it good.

The problem is that once this generation grows up and at the age to get married, the boys are going to have a hard time. In 2005, when this show was made, the current generation had 12 percent more boys than girls growing up. When they're old enough to get married, there aren't going to be enough girls to go around. That will leave men without wives, without children, and therefore won't be carrying on the family name which is one of the main points of the Chinese focusing on having male children.

My save the world goal from watching this?
Adopt a Chinese baby girl.
This documentary featured a lot of families on their way to China to adopt baby girls.
It was so sweet!

I loved this. You should probably watch it. 

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Secret Crush of the Past

Let's just talk about how attractive Robert Redford is.
And by is, I mean was. He's kinda creepy looking now.

But hi, let's just look at this...

The Great Gatsby

All the President's Men

The Way We Were

And that's all I'm gonna say about that. 

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Three Little Words

You've. Got. Mail.

I'm sitting here watching eat for the gazillionth time. Eating leftover Chinese food and doing homework.
I honestly cannot tell you how many times I've seen this movie.

I want to go to New York in the fall.
I would love it if someone sent me a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils, especially if they threw in some Scotch tape.
Even for me, a non-coffee drinker, Starbucks provides not only a drink, but a defining sense of self.

While walking to school the other day, I was listening to the soundtrack. It was on shuffle, but I realized something, something almost ridiculous. As each song would come up, I would instantly know what scene in the movie the song was on. I could quote most of the scene.

My mom loves this movie as much, if not more than I do.
We quote it in everyday life.

Last Thanksgiving I got a text from her.
It simply said "Happy Thanksgiving!"
Now, most people would say something like "Thanks! You too!"
Not I. My reply?
"Happy Thanksgiving... back..."

When I had a question for my mom, her reply was
"The Godfather is the answer to any question."
No, I haven't seen The Godfather, but all the best lines are a part of You've Got Mail.

I am a lot like Kathleen Kelly.
I know that daisies are the friendliest flowers.
Putting up more twinkle lights will make everything better.
When I get frustrated or upset with someone, my mind goes blank and I can't think of anything to say.
I love the Shoe books.
And Betsy, Tacy, & Tib.

I love this movie.
"Don't cry, ShopGirl, don't cry.
I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly."

Friday, October 15, 2010

I wish life was a musical.

Everyone would walk around (hopefully I'd be wearing great petticoats and hoop skirts) happy and loving life.
Then all of a sudden burst out in song.
And dance.
Everyone suddenly knowing all the words and choreography.
The men are great.
Serenading the women all the time.
And you can't really beat an "Oklahoma hello," right?
Life would be so great.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

They say repetition is the best way to learn something.

I don't even know how many times I've watched this video.
It's a lot.
But I love it every single time.
Probably more every time.

We watched just part of it in Institute today.
It totally made my day.
It's not anything I've ever questioned or doubted happening, but it's just nice to get the reassurance every once in awhile.
Enjoy!
(this is the best clip I could find, but the specific part I'm talking about is from 1:30ish-5:37ish. But feel free to watch it all.)



Monday, October 4, 2010

Like Mother, Like Me

Today I look like my mom.

I got dressed this morning, and upon my last glance in the mirror before sprinting off to class, I noticed that I was wearing an outfit very much like she would wear.

Black flats.
Classic, Old Navy jeans.
Black cardigan.
Dangly earrings.

Every day I become more and more like her.
I'll say something or do something and then think to myself
"hmmm... that's totally something Mom would do."

I love it. 

There are people here in Logan who don't know me but know her.
They can tell who I am pretty quick.
I don't even know how many times I've heard 
"Hey, are you Sally Page's daughter?"
Why yes, yes I am. 

I know she doesn't agree, but I'm pretty sure my mom is the greatest mom out there. Hands down. 

Tender Mercies

This is a post I've been working on for a few weeks, and I decided that the end of Conference was a good a time as any to actually finish and post it. 


It's amazing to me how things just work out. 


At the beginning of the summer, I started working for our university catering company.
Around the same time, Erin started dating this boy named Matt. It didn't take long for everyone to realize that it was different for her this time around. I definitely noticed. All of sudden she was with him all the time. I was working a lot, but whenever I wasn't working, she was with him. It's only continued to progress for them. Between that, and the fact that she's leaving to do a study abroad next semester, I was seriously stressing about what I was going to do without her; without my best friend.
Enter Amy Dastrup.
Amy works at catering with me. 

We are the same person.
It's true. 
We think the same, talk the same, act the same. 
We needed each other and didn't even know it.
It wasn't long after we met each other that we realized how impeccable the timing was for us to come into each other's lives. 

****
President Uchtdorf is incredible.
I've never met the man, but he knows me.
For the past couple of years, his talks have consistently been my favorite.
They are exactly what I need. 
Every time.
His talks will come up on my iPod just when I need them most.
Sometimes I don't even know I need them. 
****
When I broke up with the boyfriend, I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. 
I felt terrible.
But the whole week leading up to it, I just kept feeling that it was what I needed to do. 
Since then, I have felt a huge weight off my shoulders.
I still don't know why, but as each day goes on, I know it's what I needed to do. 
Today, Elder L. Tom Perry spoke, specifically to the young men of the church. 
He talked to them about assuming their roles in the Priesthood.
He talked to them about the importance of staying strong, carrying the Priesthood worthily, graduating from seminary, earning their Eagle, serving a full-time mission, and having their own strong and steadfast testimony. He talked about them going on to become teachers and Elders Quorum presidents. 
This was directed at young men, but it definitely hit me pretty hard. 
This was when I realized that that is what I want in my future husband.
My friend
McKay wrote a post last night that put a great picture in my head. 
"I don't know who the lucky guy will be that gets to sweep me off my feet, and ride off into the sunset. But I bet I know right where he is right now, and it makes my heart smile. . . right at this moment he is just sitting there, learning how to make me happy. Maybe playing with his tie, or taking a few notes."
Love it. 
It makes me happy to think about him, whoever/wherever he may be. 
****

Friday, October 1, 2010

Distinctive Memories.

It's amazing how some days of your life stand out
and how clearly you remember them.

Yesterday marked the 10-year anniversary
of when my sweet grandma passed away.

Even though I was only 10, and it was so long ago
I remember that day very clearly.

Kind of like how everyone remembers September 11th.

I remember saying goodbye.
I sat in a chair.
Someone handed me a vanilla shake.
I don't think I had processed it all the way.

I don't remember a whole lot about the funeral.
I wore my black/flowered crushed velvet skirt
with the purple satin shirt.

I know all the grandkids took a turn talking about her.
I remember I changed what I was going to say at the last minute.
I don't remember what I said.

I got to ride in the limo with the pallbearers, my cousins.
My sister and I are the only girls on that side
and she was too young.

I can't believe it's been 10 years.
Things have come so far.