the time has come...

to end my adventures here.

See....this blog has finished it's purpose. (at least, in my eyes it has....)  I started this blog as a way to document my adventures through college, my adventures in dating, my frustrations and joys with ballet at BYU and really....all the cool kids (read: the writers/readers of the 100 Hour Board at BYU) were doing it, so I decided to jump on that bandwagon.

And you know what? I've moved on from all of those worlds. I'm not in school anymore (thank goodness!), I'm engaged and don't have crazy dating stories anymore (hurrah!), I'm not dancing as much these days and I no longer read the 100 Hour Board. Like ever. So...this is the end of love and war...at least it's the end of a battle. On to better and brighter things!

I will always be grateful to the 100 Hour Board and many of their writers for influencing me to start this here blog. It has brought about many GREAT friendships, killed at least one relationship, and in the end helped me to find a voice in writing.

I don't want to completely give up blogging, and while my new blog is NOT private, I'm not going to post a link to it here. If you want to keep following just shoot me an email, leave a comment, or look for the links that happen to show up on my Facebook account.

I really hope you'll want to keep following me, but if you're trying to weed out people from your Google Reader (is anybody else's as ridiculous as mine?! sheesh!) then now would be the time and I won't even notice.

Thanks again for a great 7+ years guys. You're awesome!

Tender Mercy Tuesday: 62nd Edition

Hello my friends! It's been a little while since I've done a Tender Mercy Tuesday huh? Sorry about that - not that there haven't been blessings in my life....it's just I haven't taken the time to sit down and tell you about them.

Last night I received a wonderful tender mercy during my run. Now this might not make sense at first, but stay with me and it might make sense in the end. (I hope)

As you may recall, I have been doing ballet basically my entire life. So excuse me while I talk about dance for just a moment (this relates, I promise!) When you turn (pirouettes, chaines, fouettes, etc) there is a technique dancers use to not get dizzy: spotting. So, when you spot when turning and traveling across the floor/stage you pick a spot in the place you want to end up and you want this spot to be just above eye level so that your chin doesn't drop and the audience can't see your pretty face. BUT as you get closer to your destination, your spot has to change otherwise your chin is going to end up too high in the air, your focus too high and you'll defeat the purpose of spotting and end up a dizzy mess.

You're probably wondering right now what this has to do with running, well let me tell you!

See, when I run I like to pick an object to run to, often a lampost or a bush, or a tree. Something easily identifiable. Often, I pick this object with the thought that "if I just get to that tree then I can walk for just a second." Usually I then a pick another object to walk to...this process usually happens as I'm getting very tired and drained and am trying to push myself. Last week as I started running again (after too long of a hiatus) I found myself using this "trick" of pushing myself (or so I thought) quite often. Well last night, things went differently.

Soldier Boy and I decided to pick a new place to run besides the block around my house and jumped on his motorcycle to go to the City Park which I kid you not is less than a mile from my house. This City Park is HUGE. We had found a runner's map that ran a route around the park that was about 2 miles. We didn't end up going the 2 miles (we skipped one of the loops and took a shortcut. ;) ) but the great thing about this run is that I had a new realization. See, if I apply the theories of spotting to my run, then I go longer and keep up a very regular pace (especially if I'm listening to some good music, which I was!). See, instead of picking an object to run/jog to and then walking, as I got closer to my object of choice I would pick a new object to run to - BEFORE I reached the original object. Make sense? All I know is that it made my run so much easier last night - Saturday I had gotten really sick while running and was worried that last night would be the same. I am happy to report that for me, I have a new way to run and get through the hard parts (I even ran up TWO small hills WITHOUT STOPPING! This is huge for me as I hate hills) and a way to push through my runs. I am very excited to try this theory out again in the near future and hopefully use it in longer distance runs as I get more in shape.

Also - just a random fact about last night's run. After it was finished, Soldier Boy and I were stretching in the parking lot and all of a sudden fireworks started going off. It was a great way to celebrate the end of a great run for us and we chilled out on the grass for a bit before heading back to my place. :o) Good times.

Thursday Things

hi guys. :o)

• I bought a new swimsuit last weekend. I love it. It's the "sexiest" swimsuit I own...and Soldier Boy loves it. No surprises there.

• This weekend is show weekend. It's also my LAST show weekend. It's not really bittersweet for me...in fact, I'm really excited and have been counting down for weeks now.

• Since normal classes are no longer happening (YAY for them being done!) I get to spend time with Solider Boy and his daughter on his one night a week with her! That happens tonight, and I'm excited to spend more time with the both of them.

• In talking to Soldier Boy the other day, I found out that due to some interesting circumstances that nothing special is happening on Father's Day for him. I am not okay with this. I told him that I'm coming and making him and his daughter dinner. 

• This is extra nice because the gift I'm planning on giving him (a variation on this tutorial - I'm adding a picture of Soldier Boy w/his daughter) can be given to him BY his daughter....even if she only helped a little bit. (let me tracer her hands a couple of weeks ago...)

•  let's see what else is happening...oh! dancing tonight. I'm going for a bit, and I'm excited. like always. :o)

• tomorrow is my day off and I have a little bit of pampering happening, a lunch date and then a to-do list that seems like it's a mile long....

• I've started looking for somewhere to move, but there are still a few variables to figure out with that and so I haven't really put forth a TON

i think that's about it.  Have a great weekend all y'all!

Tender Mercy Tuesday: 60th Edition

Hello dearest internet friends.

I know some of you probably remember my post from last week. Today I want to explain some of the statements - because now I can.

from last week's post:

I need... to stay calm
I hate... having to keep secrets from certain people in my life. But some people can't know what's going on yet.
I hurt... knowing that I'm going to break some people's hearts this week.
I hope... that everyone can be understanding when certain things come to light...

These four statements brought some concern from some of my friends. I know this, because they reached out to me about it. I am SO GRATEFUL to have so many great people in my life that are concerned for my well-being when I post passive-aggressively. :o)

rest assured that everything is okay. I announced on Saturday that this year is my last year at AofB - the studio I trained at and have been teaching at for years. This studio gave me my first teaching job and my first opportunity to work with a company - BU2. I have loved teaching and I have loved my girls. However, do to certain circumstances both in my personal life and with things that have happened the past couple of years at the studio I have come to terms that it is time for me to move on. I won't be teaching at AofB next year, and while it's hard - it is the BEST thing for me hands down.

Now for my Tender Mercy Tuesday thought that directly relates to the things above. A whole lot of dramatic crap happened yesterday at dress rehearsal. So much so that I was extremely frustrated with certain people (still am actually) and very emotional that by the time I got to Soldier Boy's place I had been crying for a good 15 minutes. This is where my tender mercy comes in - I have been blessed with a man who is so extremely understanding. Soldier Boy held me while I cried and then helped me take out my frustrations on a soda pop can with a revolver. (granted, we had planned on going shooting before all this went down, but still) I am so glad that I have been given someone who understands what I am going through and stands up for me and my feelings. Seriously, my boyfriend is a rockstar.

And that my friends, is all. I hope your Tuesday evening is fantastic, as for me and my evening - I get to spend it with my boyfriend - halleluiah. 

Friday Giggles and Awesomeness

So....I sort of had two Mondays this week. The real Monday and then yesterday....after having Wednesday off and getting to play all day with Soldier Boy and his daughter coming back to work yesterday was just horrid.

ANYWAYS. It's finally Friday and I'm looking forward to it being tomorrow night when I can go on a date with my handsome boyfriend. :o) In the meantime here are two awesome videos that I found while perusing the interwebs this morning.

This first one is a clip of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, the company of men that parodies classical ballet while dressed as females dancing a part of Swan Lake. It's hilarious - at least - to me it is. I understand that not everyone out there is going to understand WHY this is so funny...but trust me. It's hilarious.

Hilarious, no? :o)

The second video that I found is a flash mob in the Copenhagen Metro. I think it would be THE COOLEST thing to experience a flash mob like this. Pure awesome.

Happy Friday everyone! I hope it is a great day for you and leads to the best weekend. :o)

half way

hey there. it's been a long week so far, and it's only Wednesday.

Yesterday was rough. I'm sorry I didn't get to a tender mercies post - I haven't done one in a while and I think I need to remember to take time to pause and reflect on the blessings I have been given as of late. So hopefully you'll see something next Tuesday. :o)

Last night my classes were missing over half the students. In both of them. With only seven weeks until the show and the year-end dances no where near being done...I'm starting to get a little stressed out. gah. That's the one thing about teaching advanced classes - the girls are all older and in high school and trying to do everything under the sun because they CAN and because they want to have the best possible resumes to get into colleges. bah. This is when I am grateful my mom made me choose just ONE thing to focus on. :o) Hopefully I have all the girls in class in the coming weeks. :P

I bought some bright pink sparkly TOM knockoffs....they are uber adorable. :o)

I get to go spend the evening with Soldier Boy tonight. I always look forward to my evenings with him - they rock my world. :o)

My coworker and I are sitting on exercise balls at work today. :o) It's fun. For now. Hopefully this bodes well for my figure. ;)

Finally, I'm going to go see my orthopedic surgeoun tomorrow. Remember him? He gave me bad news....he gave me good news. I'm hoping for good news tomorrow. See...my knee has been doing this weird popping thing as of late.

Friday Things....

Hey dearest friends! It's been quite the week over here in Alishka land. I've been so busy and trying to get  things done - it's been crazy! I'm very much looking forward to my weekend and the weeks to come...but for now let me express some of my thoughts that are in my head....

• It's Friday the 13th. EVERY time a Friday the 13th rolls around I can't help but think of that one Friday the 13th in which I tore my MCL.

• being able to call Soldier Boy my boyfriend is the best thing ever.

• I burned my finger curling my hair yesterday. My finger still hurts.

• I love chapstick. It's amazing stuff. I wonder who invented chapstick?

• Thank you Google.... the inventory of chaptstick

• I get to go see Ballet West's performance of Emeralds (and Petit Mort and Paquita) this weekend. I'm ridiculously excited!

• I'm getting very excited for summertime. Soldier Boy and I have lots of fun plans of things we want to do together and with his daughter (hmmm...I might need to give her a 'nym!)

• I don't think I've told you this yet....but my sister is making me an Aunt at the end of September! I'm really excited to be an aunt and have a cute little niece or nephew to spoil. :o) It will be fun times.

• There's a family reunion coming up...in July! I'm excited for that fun times. My family is pretty cool and I'm excited to introduce Soldier Boy to them all.

• I'm trying to decide what to wear to the ballet on Saturday...I'm thinking of a little black dress I have...or my brown skirt w/teal top. We'll see how I feel on Saturday. ;)

• I'm wishing I could go to Disneyland again. Right now. That would be awesome sauce.

• I hate taxes - they are retarded.

• Life is an amazing gift and I feel SO BLESSED right now.

ANYWAYS. I hope all y'all have a great weekend - hopefully this Friday the 13th isn't too crazy for you. ;) 

Thursday Things + new things

Hey all y'all. Having a good week? I had one awfully, terrible day wedged between two amazingly wonderful days. I just love life and the roller coaster it sends me on on a weekly, er daily basis. :o)

Anywho, I have some Thursday Things for ya, followed by something new at the VERY end of this post. So...stick it out. ;) (or, ya know, just scroll to the bottom if you're just too excited to see this something new.)

• we've gotten some snow in the past couple of days. I really hope we don't have a crazy late winter that affects my spring. I love spring.

• dancing. LOVE it. I took a ballet class this week to help me release some emotional angst that I had and it was the best thing ever. I'm thinking I might need to go take class at Ballet West sometime soon.

• Soldier Boy is pretty much a rock star and I like him. the end.

• I get to go dancing at Blue Tango tonight - I'm excited for it, but I'm more excited for it next week because then I get my birthday jam. :o) SO STOKED.

• Speaking of my birthday, it is in SIX days. You should work on finding me a present.

• Disneyland is in TWO WEEKS. oh my goodness. I can't believe this is ACTUALLY HAPPENING guys. I've dreamed of this for ages. 

• Finally, I've decided to participate in the ever popular Photo A Day meme through Instagram. So...today's prompt was UP. Stay tuned for many a more Photos-A-Day to come your way! :-)

this is the view looking up in my kitchen. :o) Love my kitchen.

Hope you all have a great weekend! I'm looking forward to mine...mostly because once it's over it means I'll be closer to my birthday!!!! :o)

surprises, Don Quixote, flowers, and fun, flirty times

I am sure that you are all waiting with baited breath to hear about my reunion with Solider Boy and the fantastic weekend that followed.

Well, if you are that person then you are in luck because I am here to tell you all about my most amazing weekend.

Thursday night was GREAT. I got to see Solider Boy, exchange valentines, and dance the night away. It was SO NICE to see him again. I was reminded of how much I really do like this boy that is in my life. He is amazing and so very kind to me. He gave me a book with the sweetest of inscriptions written inside. I felt loved. :o)

Friday I had a few surprises. #1 - Soldier Boy visited me during lunch because he hadn't gone home yet. #2 - He ended up being around for the afternoon as well so after I got off of work I got to see him some more. #3 - He actually didn't go home until LATE Friday night/early Saturday morning because he was around with a friend of his and then he came and saw me. :o) It was most wonderful.

Then there was Saturday. I took my own sweet time getting ready, and was glad for it. I looked gorgeous. I felt like a pretty princess in my dress (pictures coming, promise!) and my hair turned out quite perfectly. Soldier Boy loved my hair. Also, Roommate A did my makeup and she did a stunning job. I loved the look she gave me. Soldier Boy and I met in SLC and then went to dinner at the Blue Iguana. I LOVED my dish! I got the beef tacos and that beef was absolutely amazing. Soldier Boy got the Chocolate Mole and he also enjoyed his dish. Mmmmm...my mouth is watering thinking about that beef. It was delicious. I think my favorite part about dinner was the cute couple that owned the restaurant that came around serenading everyone. They were amazing and it was so nice to have someone sing to us while we ate.

THEN there was the ballet: Don Quixote. IT WAS FREAKING AMAZING. Ballet West did the most amazing job Saturday night. They dancing was incredible, the dancers played their characters PERFECTLY and thoroughly and THEN there was the flamenco at the beginning of Act 3. Oh my goodness. It was INCREDIBLE! I loved it! They only used the sound of a stick keeping time back stage and the stomping of their feet/clapping of their hands. There wasn't a single misstep or moment where they weren't together. I was much impressed. Kitri was incredible and did stunning things with her extensions and turns. Sigh. It was wonderful.

One of my favorite things was that not only did I have a surprise for Solider Boy that night (his boutonniere) but he had a surprise for me! He got me a corsage! Ha. It was so funny that we had the same thought for that night. My corsage was beautiful and featured a main  white rose with three small roses with it. It also had a silvery sparkly ribbon. I loved it and felt so fancy with a wrist corsage to go with my dress. Soldier Boy knows me SO WELL and it was great that we matched being all fancy and dressed up and what not. :-)

After the ballet we ended up sitting in his car just talking. We had the BEST conversation. It was exactly what we both needed and several things were mentioned that we both needed to hear. It was good times. Then, because we hadn't had enough of each other at this point in the weekend, we talked on the phone while we drove home - it was great.

Then there was yesterday. (whew, this is getting long. Good thing you all want to know all the details huh? lol) Yesterday Soldier Boy came down for Sunday dinner with Sister B + Husband. We had a really fantastic roast w/potatoes, green salad and homemade rolls with Hot Fudge Sundae cake for dessert. mmmm....It was SO GOOD. We played a long round of Killer Bunnies (sometimes that game is short and sometimes not, but it was GREAT fun.) There was much laughter, tons of flirting and cards that made my night 100% worth it. After Sister B + Husband left, Solider Boy and I enjoyed reading on the couch together, watching videos of me drugged from my knee surgery, and just talking. I stayed up too late and seeing as how I don't have today off - I'm feeling a little tired, but it was such a great weekend that I'm totally fine with it. The great news is that Soldier Boy is going to be in SLC basically all weekend so I get to spend some extra time with him and that is going to make me one happy camper. :-D

I hope your weekend was FANTASTIC!

Just a few....Thursday Things!

Hi dearest friends! It's been a crazy few days and my brain is fried and I still have to work tomorrow. :P However! Exciting things ARE happening this weekend and I'm rather excited about everything, so let's get to it shall we?!

• It's been a VERY long TWELVE days, but tonight I finally get to see Soldier Boy again. I'm so giddy with excitement, it's ridiculous. Here's hoping I can hold it together through my ballet class tonight....

• We're exchanging valentines tonight....:o) Here's a peak at what Soldier Boy's looks like:

• cute, right? (His valentine is glued to a box of cereal, in case you didn't figure that out by the cheesy saying. ;) )

• Tomorrow night is going to include me and Roommate A going to a stake activity. I'm going to be her wing woman while we go "speed dating: bingo style." ha ha ha. should be entertaining to say the least.

• I think I am MOST excited for Saturday.

• See Saturday....Saturday I'm going to see Ballet West's Don Quixote. It's supposedly FANTASTIC. (at least, that's what EVERYONE keeps telling me)

• Also, I'm going to the Blue Iguana with Soldier Boy prior to the ballet. I've heard mixed reviews of the place, and I'm intrigued to try it.

• I'm going to look AMAZING in my dress. I promise to post a picture later. :o)

• I have left all my shows in my hulu que to watch while I get ready for the ballet. It's going to be fun times.

• Next week is looking fantastic. :o) 

• Basically, life is really, REALLY good.

"it's busy season!"

that is our  go-to phrase here at work these days. My coworker is super cute when she says it to justify our three-week lead time on our product. The months of November/December are always crazy in the office, but this year it seems to be amplified 100x or so. Life is INSANE around the office.

Anyways. Seeing as how it's been almost a week since I last posted I figured a bullet-point list would be the best way to catch you up on my awesome life. (seriously, life is uber awesome.)

• Monkey Man is the sweetest guy in the whole wide world and I'm the luckiest girl ever. Seriously. I catch myself staring at him all the time and thinking to myself, "how did I get so lucky?" things are good.

• Went to Temple Square on Saturday night w/Monkey Man and another couple to see the lights, go to dinner (Z'Tejas @ Gateway. okay food. not my favorite restaurant) and then party it up at the Clark Planetarium. We took fun pictures on the moon and mars. It was a blast (although VERY cold).

• Had the annual Christmas tour day for my ballet company. that was a day full of driving and stuff. Nothing bad happened and it was a pretty good day overall. 

• Made Aebelskivers last night w/Sister B and her husband and Monkey Man. Also, we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and played games. It was fun times. 

• during the course of this week, Monkey Man and I have something together to do/attend 5/7 days. :o) I'm very excited about this.

• I'm finding it hard to believe that it's been a year. Part of me is shocked it has only been a year. At times it feels longer. 

• I'm addicted to cherry coridal kisses and m&ms. :o) yummy.

• I haven't been very good about going to the gym the past week or so. My trainer is going to kill me.

• I get to party it up with my ballet girls tonight. I'm rather excited to see all my friends. It's been awhile.

• I leave for VA in 16 days. EEK! Christmas is going to be here before I know it. :P

• I need an idea for a mass gift for my RS sisters. Any and all ideas are welcome. a DIY project is not really feasible at this point, but I need to keep cost down as well....so yeah. Please suggest something. ;)

• My office was a brisk 56 degrees Fahrenheit this morning. SO COLD. Stupid next door office that controls the thermostat and doesn't leave it on during the weekends. :P

• The world is very, very small. Roommate R (one of my favorite persons EVER) is friends with someone that Monkey Man knows as well. Insane how small the world is. ESPECIALLY in Utah.

Basically, I'm really  busy with life in general but I'm super happy, twitterpated, and joyful as an elf.  :o) Have a wonderful day!

Thursday Things - Thanksgiving Edition

I have so many wonderful things to be thankful for this beautiful Thanksgiving Day. Here are just a few things that I am grateful for today:

• My family - they are have always been supportive of me and my dreams and for that I will be eternally grateful.

• The restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I seriously don't know where I'd be in my life without it.

• My sweet boyfriend. I was not feeling well last night, at all, and he took time from his busy schedule to bring me chicken noodle soup and sit and just hold me. After he left I felt tons better. He's amazing and I am the luckiest girl in the world to call Monkey Man mine.

• My jobs. I work for the best company by day and do what I love by night. Not very many people are as lucky as I am in that regard and I feel so blessed to be able to do it all.

• My church calling. As hard as it can be sometimes to be over so many people and have so many responsibilities, I love it. I love the joy that comes from being able to serve those around me.

• My apartment and roommates. I live with the best girls in a great apartment. I am so glad that I found this place 2.5 years ago. 

• Technology and other comforts that come from living in the 21st century. I am very blessed to live in this day and age. 

I really am so very blessed in so many different ways. I hope each of you will take some time today to be thankful for everything you have been given. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thursday Things

Hello my dears! Yesterday was quit the craptastic kind of day and I am soooo glad that it is finally Thursday! Thursdays are usually really good days in the office - plus they always consist of fun things for me in my personal life. :o) Even though I have to work tomorrow (ick) it will be all good because it is finally the weekend! So let's get to this shall we? I have lots of fun things to tell you!

• Like I mentioned earlier yesterday was a really awful day. I came home from work and instead of getting myself to the gym like I should have - I took a 1.5 hour nap. That was WONDERFUL. 

• My Halloween costume consists of me using my superhero costume from my birthday. However, since going to the temple it's a little short for every day wear and seeing as how I want to wear out in public....yeah I added a purple ruffle to the bottom. It's 90% done and looks AWESOME.

• Speaking of Halloween....I have SO MANY different things going on TOMORROW alone! I have to choose and decide what I am going to go to, but I just feel cool that I have so many options.

• Tonight I'm dressing up for ballet class AND for Blue Tango's Halloween Bash. :o) I'm excited to dance in my costume. It's going to be GRAND!

• Last night I played volleyball and Monkey Man did show up. I got teased endlessly by several ward members but it was all good. We left at the same time and were able to talk for a little bit in the parking lot. He's a sweetheart and while nothing is "official" we did talk about how fast we want this relationship to go - and we're both on the same page with wanting it to not fly out of control. I feel good about things and I don't think I'll be going out with anyone else for a little bit... :o) I did get a couple of kisses goodnight. I forgot how nice it is to kiss someone goodnight. 

• Seriously, I slept VERY well last night and I am attributing about 50% of that nice sleepingness to the good night kisses I received before going to bed. ;)

• We don't have any set plans for the weekend....but I know he's not about to back down, I'm just not going to see him every day at this point. And like I mentioned to him - that's what I am trying to work on. See....when SwingKid and I broke up we had been dating for 2.5 years. We were at the point where I did see him every day, talked to him throughout the day and went through withdrawals when those things didn't happen. So I have forgotten how to gradually get to that point. I told that to Monkey Man last night and to be patient with me. I'm trying really hard not to get too crazy and to keep doing all the fun things I've been doing without a boyfriend and once we decide to get a little more serious then I'll see him more often and we'll incorporate each other more into our lives. Until then though....I'm NOT going to freak out and I'm going to continue to enjoy my life with a little added bonus of someone that I'm dating. ;)

• We have Stake Conference this weekend and I just love Stake Conference. It is always SO GOOD. I'm looking forward to not having any extra meetings as well. :o) 

• I am feeling really good about today. It is going to rock. Hard Core.

• I'm running in this 5k on Saturday with SwingKid. I'm hoping my time is better than the last 5k I ran unknowingly on a torn ACL. :o)

• The work day started with me finishing putting out a fire that was discovered yesterday while listening to Journey's Don't Stop Believin'. Nothing can go wrong when that is the first song on your Pandora station.

• My hair looks cute today. The end.

• I'm wearing a comfy sweater today - see....nothing is going to be awful about today! I KNOW IT!

• Pretty much, life is much better today compared to yesterday and I'm a happier camper for it. here's hoping everything continues to go swimmingly.

Have a great day everyone!  :o) I know I will!!!

Tender Mercy Tuesday - 44th Edition

I have the best Tender Mercy to share with you today!

Back when I was learning to drive (many, many years ago), my dad would take me on back roads from Spanish Fork to Payson to help me get used to going faster without any cars around me. I remember that being so scary! (going fast - not the back roads. ;) ) Well, yesterday that knowledge of back roads that my dad shared with me finally paid off! I missed my exit (well...more like it was closed and I didn't realize it) on my way to Spanish Fork to teach my Monday night ballet class. The next option was to take an exit that put right in the middle of the back roads my dad used to take me on. I was surprised at how quickly the knowledge of these back roads came back to me - it was seriously like riding a bike again. I was pretty sure where to turn and once I made that first turn everything was surprisingly clear to me. I am so grateful that I have a father who would teach me things that I don't think are necessarily important or useful, but then they end up being for my good.

Our Heavenly Father is like that too. He teaches us lessons and skills that we don't think we need, or that are there just to spite us and make us sad; when really, all of these lessons truly are for our good. Heavenly Father doesn't just randomly decide to teach us something. He has a plan for us and He knows what we need to know and when we need to learn it so that we can use it later for ourselves and for the betterment of others. How cool is that?!

Anyways, that's what I am so grateful for today. I definitely have some amazing men in my life. The End.

Thursday Things

Good Thursday Morning lovelies. I hope you're having a FANTASTIC day in the neighborhood. I know I am! :o) I'm rather excited that it is finally Thursday. Around here it's Friday because I don't work tomorrow. Halleluiah. :o) Let's get to the good stuff shall we?

• My date with Monkey Man was a BLAST. Seriously. So much win. My pumpkin carving skills are awesome AND Xbox Kinnect? TOTALLY WICKED!!! Seriously. SO MUCH FUN!

• I'm really excited for my weekend. It starts tonight after my ballet class with a hair appointment. super stoked for THAT tonight. THEN I'm going dancing. Will get my flirt on...etc etc.

• Tomorrow I'm sleeping in, going to the gym, helping my sister changer her name on her driver's license, going to the temple, rehearsing my ballet company and going to movie night. (Star Trek anyone?)

• Saturday includes sleeping in, going to the gym, being crafty, watching BYU Football and THEN going to see Ballet West's Dracula.

• My date for the ballet? Monkey Man. yup, I asked him last night after our date got over. He wasn't sure he could go because of previous plans...but then his friends canceled said plans. So our ballet date is a go!

• Monkey Man was really cute last night...he held my hand again - but it was cute how anxious and unsure we both were and trying to read the other person on their thoughts of holding hands...yeah. He's cute.

• Here's an interesting fact and something I discussed with my coworkers this morning - I have a crush on Monkey Man, but it's not the same as other crushes (i.e. Fryman, Surfer Boy, Grizzly Bear, etc); with past crushes I have imagined how everything would play out (dating, to kissing, to getting engaged, to getting married, etc) because I am a girl and I fantasize about EVERYTHING. I haven't done that with Monkey Man at all. My one coworker thinks it's because I'm not having to do all the work (not that I always do all the asking with other guys...but I do do a lot of encouraging/inviting etc). I think she's right. She also told me that's how it worked for her and her husband and another former coworker of ours and her husband. They never really thought of their husbands as potentials until after they started dating. So...I'm not forecasting anything, I'm just making an observation. ;)

• In other non-boy related news, Katria sent me this link to an AMAZING dance performance. YOU NEED TO WATCH IT. Even if you don't really like dance, WATCH IT. It's INCREDIBLE.

• Also incredible? This non-traditional version of Swan Lake. SWEET CRAZINESS. I thought my jaw was going to fall off. So amazing.

• This article about BYU and the Big-12 was very interesting. I learned new things.

• My little bro turned 19 yesterday. He's getting to be SO grown up! I just can't stand it. :o)

• Finally, let me leave you with this awesome print I found on pinterest. :o)

Have a great weekend folks! :o)

Thursday Things

in order to keep myself sane I just had to post a Thursday Things. Yesterday was absolutely nuts at work. The one CS rep is still out of the office (down to 2 people running CS) and then the front desk receptionist person was out...and CS is responsible for covering the front desk...so there were two people covering 4 peoples worth of work. NUTSO. Seriously, I thought I was going to go crazy. :P

sigh. moving on....

• I'm on the hunt for a date to go see Ballet West's Dracula next weekend. So...yeah. Need a date.

• My contemporary piece for BU2 is going to be really cool. I'm rather excited about it. Now if only I could figure out more choreography for it....

• I get to see all of my AIDA friends tomorrow night. I'm rather excited about this. I love them!

• I think I'm going to dinner with Grizzly Bear on Saturday...perhaps....

• Even though I'm uber exhausted, Blue Tango WILL happen tonight. I need the emotional release dancing gives me. 

• I love vegetables.

• I got invited to a Halloween party yesterday. I can't remember the last time I was invited to a Halloween party. I'm rather excited. :o)

• I'm wearing green today. I love green.

• I have a lot going on on Sunday. It will be a busy, busy day.

• I am having an In-n-Out burger for lunch today. I'm sort of excited about it.

That's it folks. Life is crazy. Does anyone want to be me for a day so I can just sleep for 24 hours straight? :o)

mish-mash of my brain

so. my brain hurts. I have so many thoughts. I just don't even know where to begin. This is where pinterest comes to my rescue. Here's a little taste of my thought process today:

i want this print in my house: 

i want to live IN this house:

i love Lucy:

I am pretty sure I need this outfit:

I sort of want to be doing this right now:

so there you go. that's not everything going on in my brain right now, but it is a very good chunk of what is happening in my brain right now.

poof!

It was just like that - POOF! Suddenly, summer was gone and all the was left in it's wake was a horrible tan line that never went away and the wishes of more sunshine. This weekend was filled with loads of cold temperatures, cloudy skies, rainy (and a little snow!) days and lots of indoor adventures.

I'm sorry I sort of disappeared the end of last week. Thursday was just insanely busy and I never got around to posting and then I had Friday off, which ended up being so very busy and Saturday was much the same. I did finally choose and begin the contemporary piece for BU2 (thank goodness!) and now I get to start the process of finding music for my ballet class in Spanish Fork. I start that class in one week and I want to start choreography (or at least learn some sections of the choreography and teach them so the students aren't shocked by said choreography) in a month...and then I'll actually teach the dance w/formations to them in the beginning of the year. We are to do a dance on discouragement. Any music ideas you might have would be greatly appreciated.

I finally got my new computer at work. It is sooooo pretty. I have a HUGE monitor that I love, Windows 7 operating system that I'm still getting used to and Microsoft Office 10 that is making me think very hard. ;)

In other news I need to ask a boy to go see Ballet West's Dracula with me in less than 2 weeks. I have been thinking about asking Blindman2 OR I might ask this one guy in my ward. sigh. I just don't know who to take.

In other news, life is busy. Actually, that's not really news, especially if you know me in real life. I'm just always doing things. This week is no exception.

Anywho, this is a very boring, mundane post. I'll try to be funnier in the future, but I make no promises. ;)

My Favorite Kind of Thursday

• Today is my favorite kind of Thursday: the kind where I don't have to work tomorrow. AKA it's my FRIDAY!!!! 

• HUZZAH!!!!

• Can you tell I'm really excited about having the day off tomorrow?

• I have a very long list of things to do in the next three days, but I'm so excited!

• Not one of those things has anything to do with any boy....but I'm okay with that!

• Are you ready?

• I'm going to the temple, the gym, and Color Me Mine.

• I also am going to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, rehearse 2 ballet companies and watch BYU Football.

• I'm going to clean my room, the bathroom and organize my kitchen.

• I'm also going to do some dinner prep, make cookies, and eat something from a crockpot.

• Tonight I'm going to teach ballet, go dancing, and flirt with cute boys.

• I plan on sleeping in tomorrow morning, eating some good food, and enjoying some "me" time.

• I REALLY hope I can get my to-do list done. I have high hopes and a time schedule for said list. Hopefully it works out a-okay. ;)

• I went to the dentist yesterday. Hate the dentist. I have cavities. grrr. This means I have to go back. sigh. One of these days I'll actually make it through a 6-month check-up without having to go back again for another 6-months. 

• Yesterday was my half-birthday. Nothing of note happened.

• I want cupcakes.

What are YOU doing this weekend?

Dating Battle Stories: A girly story about Surfer Boy

 

The title is not meant to meant that Surfer Boy is girly. No, what it means is that I am very girly and what I am about to post is full of me being a girly girl and reading into every little thing that happened this weekend with Surfer Boy. Okay, maybe not EVERY little thing, but close. :o)

Okay. Starting at the beginning - Friday. Movie night. Hosted by Home Teacher (a boy who is my home teacher and will be referenced as such) he invited several people to his house to watch a movie that we would vote on. Movie night was slated to start at 7 pm. I texted Home Teacher to let him know that I would be late...I don't get done teaching until 5:45, and I had run earlier and so I needed to shower and such. I get to his house at 7:30p. This is who was there: Home Teacher (sitting on a 2-person couch on the left side of the living room) Mr. Toad (a guy in the ward, he's a nice guy, but just a friend and he was sitting in a lazy boy chair) and then Surfer Boy (sitting on a 2-person couch on the right side of the living room). So yeah, me and 3 guys. Awesome. I was still a little sore from my workout and so I sat in the middle of the floor and stretched and such. Shortly into our movie (The Incredibles) I scooched towards Surfer Boy's couch and put my back up against it. About 20 minutes after that, I jumped up into the couch. Next to Surfer Boy. and more next to Surfer Boy then not next to Surfer Boy if you get my drift. ;)

the movie continues. Surfer Boy leans into me and whispers "touch my shirt" okay, then. Don’t have to ask ME twice! I touch it. SOFTEST SHIRT EVER. Surfer Boy tells me it's Egyptian cotton. I swoon. I touch him again. Several times. (Throughout the movie of course. he laughs at me) Surfer Boy and I both get up at different times during the movie to grab a drink, or use the bathroom, or get a treat or whatever. Every time we come back, we sit next to each other. Like our whole sides were touching, but we weren't holding hands or anything. I was trying to mirror him. At one point he had his hand on his knee, very much open for hand holding. HOWEVER, I wasn't going to make that first move. But, I sat very similarly to him. ;) (I like to think that if it had been just the two of us and there hadn't been two other boys in the room he might have held my hand.)Also, he put his hand on my knee at one point to just pat it in regards to something I said. I’m pretty sure I swooned in that moment too. ANYWAYS, it was good times. I liked it. We got to talking about weekend plans, and I mentioned how much I wanted to go to the zoo...and so it was decided we would go to the zoo on Monday. Probably followed by a shooting expedition (since I’d never been. plus they claimed it to be fun.)

So that was Friday. Moving on to Sunday.

After Ward Prayer a bunch of us always gets together for a game night. I sat by Surfer Boy and played with him. This is when I discovered that Surfer Boy is VERY ticklish. Like, just as ticklish as me. So, I had fun with that and he promised to get me back on Monday at the zoo.

Monday - the zoo. With Grizzly Bear and Surfer Boy (and others). Not going to lie, I probably ignored Grizzly Bear a little bit more than I should have. He tried to pay for my ticket to get into the zoo, but I wasn't about to let him make it into a date. It would have been just awkward to have him pay for me. So I told him no. Probably hurt his feelings, especially when I didn't really hang out by him so much at the zoo. The zoo was me, Surfer Boy, Home Teacher, Mr. Toad S and Grizzly Bear. so...yeah. Definitely walked more by Surfer Boy than anybody, but overall just had a blast. We went to lunch and then Cabela's and THEN the boys took me shooting. Well, first we had to go get Surfer Boy's truck and guns and so he asked if anyone wanted to ride with him and I said, (after waiting a few seconds) "I will!" so...I did. LOVED that I got that little bit of alone time with Surfer Boy. We drove down to Springville and went up the canyon and I learned how to shoot a pistol and a shotgun (2 different kinds) I have a bruise on my shoulder forming from the shotguns, but it was SO FUN. Also, Surfer Boy kind of did the whole, hold my arms and help me thing. It was cute. I sat by Surfer Boy at FHE, but that was it. My plan: to not worry about him. I will flirt with him on Sunday, but I know he has some family coming into town this weekend and his roommate is getting married. So basically I'm just going to chill and hopefully he'll ask me out sometime in the future. I know we'll have some more movie nights (there are so many movies I haven't seen that he wants me to see). I'm just hoping we get to watch a movie again but just with the two of us. Heaven knows I need to not ask him out again for a while though. I really hope things sort of go somewhere so I can feel okay about asking him to go to the ballet with me at the end of October. :o)

so there you go....my weekend of adventures. I REALLY like Surfer Boy. LIKE A LOT. I just hope he has taken note of my flirty nature with him (cause it's mostly different compared to my flirty nature with other boys.)