Things That Make Me Happy

• The smell of bread/cinnamon rolls baking
• When my dog wants to sit on my lap
• Hearing a new song with a sick beat
• Unexpected compliments
• Unexpected text messages
• Big hugs from great friends
• Anything Will Ferrell does/says/thinks about
• New friends
• Running into old friends
• 15+ likes on a facebook status... ;)
• Having someone say, "I love you".
• Eating cheesecake 
• Eating pumpkin pie
• When my brother says something clever and funny. And I take credit for all he knows.
• Taking the perfect picture without even meaning to.
• Catching a beautiful skyline
• When a radio station plays a song I love, so I crank it with the windows down
• My favorite comfy sweatshirt
• Wrapping up in a gecko blanket
• When my favorite movie is on TV, and I see it in the guide right as it's starting
• Going out to dinner with my family
• Diet Coke from McDonald's--seriously. It's better there.
• Seeing people I know while in the temple
• FREE SINGLES ON ITUNES THAT ARE ACTUALLY GOOD
• Bridezillas
• Painting my bedroom. Knowing I have a blank canvas to do whatever I please
• Being artistic
• Hot tubbin'
• Sarcastic, snide or witty comments
• LDS hymn arrangements
• A boy who can sing and play the guitar (well...?)
• STARBUCKS HOT CHOCOLATE. No joke...the sell the mix at Costco
• Whipped cream made from actually heavy cream and sugar..on grandma's waffles
• Waking up and realizing I still have an hour to sleep
• Ordering fajitas at a restaurant and having it come to my table still sizzling
• Using the snow in my front yard to chill my beverage of choice. Or as ice in my water bottle
• Whispering to my friend about whether or not I'll see a movie while watching previews in a movie theater
• Music with such great bass that you can feel it in your heart--literally
• High-fiving a stranger
• People that make me laugh when I don't want to
• When someone unexpectedly remembers something I told them forever ago
• That moment of silence and anticipation between lightning and thunder
• Helping an insect that's struggling to do something
• When someone snorts laughing...because I'm just that funny
• Drinking milk straight out of the carton. Especially after eating cake.
• Getting to be the person that lays down in the front for a group picture
• Working with/meeting/talking to special needs kids
• Airborne hugs
• Rainbows
• Drinking from a hose
• 3:00 a.m. conversations with my best friend
• Laying in cold, shaded grass in the summer
• Sunglasses
• That point in the book where I can't stop reading
• Free. Samples.
• Having an awkward ringtone
• The sound of a golf ball falling into the cup
• When shuffle reads my mind
• The sound of Bono's voice
• Eating frozen orange juice mix out of the can with a wooden spoon
• Daydreaming perfect situations before falling asleep
• Being able to give someone intelligent driving directions
• Staring into a bonfire
• Wearing pajama pants to wal mart
• When the song playing on my radio when I'm waking up in the morning finds its way into my dream
• When someone plays with my hair
• When I can hear it snowing
• Holding a blanket up to the fireplace until it gets warm
• Running through sprinklers
• The smell of a new book
• Getting a "look" from someone I know so well that I know exactly what they're trying to say
• When the Christmas tree is the only light in the room
• Wearing a boys sweatshirt, because it still smells like them
• Getting dressed out of the dryer
• Stargazing
• The first signs of SLC when I'm coming home from a long trip
• Seeing old people holding hands
• Realizing I still remember the words to a song I haven't heard in 8 years
• Hearing someone's heart beat
• The moon. Always
• Typing an essay that was assigned in double space in single space, and then double spacing it at the end to feel like you did a whole lot more
• When a stranger laughs at something funny I say
• Stupid Youtube videos
• Going to a movie theater by yourself
• When someone knows me well enough to finally spell my name right
• Sleeping in my bed
• Getting someone else to scratch the spot on your back that you can't reach
• Singing a guitar solo
• Eating ridiculous things for breakfast
• Being able to check someone out without getting caught cause I have sunglasses on
• Driving over a small hill in my car that gives me that "roller coaster" feeling in my stomach
• Staying up so late that everything is hilarious
• Horrible fake accents
• Really good fake accents
• Real accents
• Making a hole in mashed potatoes for gravy
• When a work friend becomes an outside of work friend
• When a song reminds you of someone you love
• When someone saves me a seat
• Grilled cheese and ketchup

....to be continued.

Swedish Fish

Today, I would like to share with you the miracle of the Swedish Fish.

I was running a little late to class this morning, so I didn't have time to grab anything to eat. I was tired and knew I would have a hard time keeping my eyes open. So I stopped at the vending machine at the end of my dorm hall. I had four quarters in my wallet--just enough for Swedish Fish! So, I put my money in, and noticed that the machine told me I had $2 in credit! Someone must have left money in the machine. So I pushed the number/letter combination for my $1 Swedish Fish. As the machine began to unravel the large metal coil located at C7 to release my candy, it caught on the corner. Everyone's worst nightmare. Right as I wanted to throw my hands up in frustration, I noticed that the machine said, "selection sold out. make another selection". I still had $2 credit! So I pushed good ol' C7 again, and received not just one, but TWO bags of Swedish Fish, as well as my original four quarters back. Talk about luck, and a good start to a very long day!

I knew this guy, who knew this guy...who knew this guy..who knew this guy's COUSIN..

What's been on my mind lately? Acquaintances!

...how completely stupid does that sound?

At least give me a chance to explain myself.

I went to an end of summer party last night with a lot of kids who will be seniors at VHS and DHS. I know, I know. How in the world did I end up there? Exactly my point! I have met so many people through...other people. It's kind of crazy how that happens, I think. I've even made a few great friends out of the situation. People that I will miss when I leave, because I know I probably won't see them again.

Maybe that's what's getting to me the most. Knowing I won't see people again. And also knowing that it is completely inevitable--there is nothing I can do about it. Everything is changing, and I have to learn to sit back, relax, and let it happen. 

So...who gets a blog post shout out this time?! A few people.

Emi--you are great. You crack me up, and I think we would be best friends if we had met earlier. I'm pretty sure we should still be best friends anyway. AND married on Facebook..

Ashley--my cancer-hater-partner! In all seriousness, though. Although I hardly know you as well as I wish that I could have, it was awesome to have someone to be angry with. I admire you for a million and ten reasons.

Maddy--you don't have a personal bubble, I don't have a personal bubble...therefore, we became friends. You always made me feel welcome anytime I was around, and that meant the world to me. You are a super sweet girl, and I've loved getting to know you.

Spenser--you are one of the coolest girls I have ever met in my entire life. I remember seeing you in passing occasionally at South Davis, but we never seemed to cross paths. I loved getting to know you better over the last couple years. You're a strong girl with a million great things ahead of you! Lunch soon. Promise. 

Angela--Over the last few years, you have become one of my very closest friends and confidants. I have absolutely no idea where I would be without you. I am so glad that, by some miracle, we met through Katie. :) You strengthened me, my testimony, and made me a better person. Thanks for always being around to pick me back up off the ground. I love you!

EMILY--Seminary buddy! Bro. Z was the worst...but you were the best of friends! I can't believe you are engaged?! But I am SO happy for you. You will make a beautiful bride. Thank you for keeping me SANE and GOING to seminary. Even that one time that we ditched, felt bad, and went back to class. I'm so glad I had good friends that said, "Emily is in your class!? Be her friend, she is the greatest!"

Natalie--Best friend, car buddy, dirty joke partner. I love you too much for words. I am so glad that the girls in our ward brought us together. You are one of the most incredible individuals that I have ever come across. You were always so strong, and held me up most days. You are the most loyal friend and genuine person I have ever seen. Thank you for changing me.

If you read this and weren't mentioned...don't fret! It's probably because I met you myself, not through someone else. Your time for a post will come.. :)