Random Thoughts, Compliments of Jill

I have to copy Brooke just a little and share some random thoughts. They are all too short to justify a whole blog so they are now presented in this random compilation:

* I prefer wearing undershirts, I didn't today and it bothered me so much I unpacked my bag, while at work, to find one.
* I wish I could make it a rule that people who read my blog have to leave a comment. I love comments, so thanks to all of you who leave them!
* I could take up traveling as my full time job, I just need to learn how to travel like my mom, she is the best travel partner!
* Packing is one of the hardest things of traveling, it took me a long time last night
* I LOVE football, I didn't realize how much I liked it until I got so excited for this season to start, Utah vs Michigan in the Big House, HERE I COME!
* Liking someone and doing things on their terms is a lot harder and more painful than I thought.
* I will never be a working mom, maybe under dire circumstances, but it just isn't fair to the family or the workplace.
* Facebook and Blogging suck up all my spare time, I stay up way too late most nights.
* My newest goal is to be "Happily Single" so if I ever seem down, remind me of that and tell me to get over it!
* I over analyze EVERYTHING! Especially when it comes to my feelings and relationships with others.
* I spend way too much money on clothes and things I don't need, but I love it!
* It's kind of creepy to get a facebook message from your boss telling you she is stalking you...
* Google Reader is the greatest invention since bread and butter!
* Walks on the boulevard are one of my favorite things, I love the conversation and memories that come with it.
* I'm a sucker for guys who dress well, I'm all about the fashion.
* Graduating and not being married has it's perks, when the time comes, I can either support my husband or we both won't have school expenses.
* Shannon is the greatest! Seriously, Someone must love me and know what I need to put her in my life!
* Getting to know people through their blog shows you a whole other side of them. I enjoy when they expose their more serious side and what they are thinking.
* I get a lot of work done while at work... clearly!
* T Minus 7 hours and 39 minutes until take off to St. Louis.

They Came!

This past weekend in Park City I found the cutest shoes! They didn't have my size out on the display and was hoping they would have them in the back. I asked a sales associate and they said they didn't have any in the store but they could ship them to my house, FOR FREE! I was so excited. I got to the register to pay and asked how long it would take. The gentleman said "About 7-10 business days." My heart sank just a little, but was not long deterred from my excitement. I check out, and with the coupons I had, the shoes came out to be about $17.00, I was so excited!

I hadn't thought much about my shoes since then but when I got home from work today, I had a pleasant surprise on my bed...

And inside were these...

I just love them! It's a good thing I found them because I was in desperate need of a new pair of shoes!

The Last First Day

Today was my last, first day of school. It was the typical first day of school that I have had dozens of times, but it had a slightly different feeling in the fact that it will be my last first day of school. Fall has always been emblazoned with "back-to-school" sentiments and I will forever associate fall with new clothes, new school supplies, and new experiences. As I was milling about campus before my class, I was taking note of my surroundings. I will only be on campus as a student for 12 more weeks and it made me look at things a little differently. I was noticing the awe-struck freshman on their first day of college, looking half afraid and yet still excited for the monumental occasion taking place in their life. I noticed the blaring school insignia all over campus and felt the pride that comes with the red letter U.

College has been a time in my life full of change, challenges, experiences, upsets, heartache, excitement, love, passion, procrastination, regrets, fulfillment, enjoyment, loneliness, friendship, nervousness, success, stretching, etc. The list could go on and many of these could be said for many times in life, but I feel that these past four years have been the best and worst in so many ways. I would change somethings, but overall I am so grateful for the things I have learned and the road I have traveled. I am who I am today because of my experiences and people I have encountered.

The start of school also signaled the end of summer. Since I had a lengthy three week summer, I would say I made the most of it. I stayed out late, met new people, went on some dates, had a summer romance come and go, a couple get-a-ways to the cabin, spent time with my family, and enjoyed the freedom that is innately tied to summertime. Granted my summer was technically longer than three weeks, I still feel like the past three weeks was one of the best summer's ever! I'm glad I got to share it with so many people, and especially the new people in my life. I am so blessed!

Makes Me Happy

This morning at the cabin I read the talk "A Matter of a Few Degrees" given by Pres. Uchtdorf and this quote stuck out to me: "I have learned that the difference between happiness and misery in individuals, in marriages, and families often comes down to an error of only a few degrees." It made me think that I can fix those few degrees that I have let effect me lately and look for the good in things. There are so many things in the last couple of days that have helped in my happiness...

I got the cutest card from my dear, sweet friend Shannon...
I got a thoughtful note from my Aunt Lori in the mail, she knows I love getting things in the mail and just sent me a quick note. I LOVED it! How thoughtful is she?...
While running some errands at Smith's the school supplies (that were on sale) caught my attention and I just couldn't pass them up. Many of you know my weird obsession with school supplies...

I got to enjoy my favorite part of the breakfast burrito at Molcasalsa, the end is the best...

I got to watch one of the best movies twice this weekend, who can beat oldies music, dancing, summer love, and a little trouble all taking place in the 60's?...
While shopping on Friday in Park City we stopped by TJMaxx and I found this killer purchase, it is a full on winter, bomber jacket and I got it for $16.99! Can you believe that?!?! I was so excited I wore it around the cabin for a while...
Today as we were leaving it started to rain, I love when it rains at the cabin. Something about being in nature and the smell, AHH!! It was so nice!...

To further add to my happiness, when I got home Trent had cleaned my room. Full on maid service really. The floors were vacuumed, everything dusted, and the windows washed. How lucky am I?

I love that these little things have made me happy lately and thanks to everyone who has aided in my happiness! It all couldn't have come at a better time! I am so blessed and so grateful for the wonderful things in this life!

Girl's Weekend

Tomorrow is the official kick-off of Girl's Weekend. We are headed up to Park City for some shopping and then a nice relaxing weekend at the cabin, kids and boys free! This weekend is always so fun and I am excited to get away from life right now. It will be nice to sit around and enjoy being with my family, watch some movies, eat lots of food, catch up on scrapbooking, escape the daily grind, read a book and just relax. The timing couldn't be more perfect (for several reasons) for a weekend away but mostly because school starts on Monday and this is the perfect way to end the summer!

Cabin Get-A-Way

Saturday afternoon a group of my friends headed up to our cabin. I was so excited to get away and be among such fun people. After getting to the gate we crammed 12 people in the suburban to make our way up the dirt road. I doubt anyone was comfortable besides me, but they were all good sports!

We got up there and started making dinner. I tried a new Alfredo recipe and I don't think it turned out very well. It was about the consistency and color of mayonnaise and didn't look very appetizing. Again, people were good sports and still ate it. Ann brought some delicious homemade bread sticks that added some goodness to dinner.

We sat up for dinner and there were exactly 12 of us, and we all fit at the table...
After dinner, we decided to go on a walk to the crater. Not an actual crater, but what we call the large clearing a short distance from the cabin,

Steve and I getting ready for the walk...
When we got to the crater I saw two large dark animals. At first I was so scared that it was two moose. I have always been so scared of moose and seeing that we had walked there we lacked protection or a speedy get away, I was a little worried. As I got closer though, I realized they were cows. I have NEVER seen cows up there in my life. I was so surprised, I just had to get a picture with them...
This was the whole group that braved the long drive, bumpy cramped ride, and experience of the cabin (serious group huh?)...It was so pretty up there, and the sun was starting to get low in the sky while we were in the crater. It cast just a pretty light and shadow on everything...
When we got back to the cabin we decided to play games, we were just excited for a photo opp...
After games we watched the "Making Of" and "Blooper Reel" of Jon's Star Wars movie. It was so funny! I personal favorite was Jon bearing his testimony of Star Wars, including the part in his learned Star Wars language, classic!

We packed up and braved the cramped ride back down to the other car. The day was so fun and full of funny things and good laughs. Thanks for everyone for coming and bringing so much fun!

A Little Pick Me Up

Friday was one of those days, you know the one's where your hair goes just how you want it, your outfit comes together nicely, and you just feel cute? These don't happen all that often, but I LOVE the feeling when they do. I was e-mailing Jamie and told her how much I missed her not being at work to share those days with me. She told me to take pictures and send them to her. I thought she was crazy, but felt cute enough that I did it.

I tried something new with my hair and loved it...
Jamie hasn't seen my hair since I got it re-cut, and new she would appreciate the back of my hair (not many people get hair like the two of us)...
I got the cutest new shoes and had to show her! You can't see here, but they looked so cute with my jeans...
This maybe a totally self-absorbed post, but I needed the pick me up today!

#81

Recently a fellow blog stalker asked me why I wanted to be like everyone in my family (#81 about myself). It made me think and write out why I do. I thought I would share that with the world of how great my family is!

Dad: He is SUCH a hard worker! Nothing is too hard for him and nothing really intimidates him, he is a problem solver and just makes things go his way. I like how confident he is.

Mom: If I could be like anyone in the world I would be just like her for every reason, but she is so selfless and just a very caring person, she doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. She has been there for me every time I need her, that stability and reliability in our relationship means a lot to me.

Trent: This guy is incredible! He gets more done in a day than I do in a week. I like how he is a do-it-himself and researches everything he wants to do and does it perfectly. He remodels his house himself and I am amazed at how well he does EVERYTHING!

Heidi: She is the type of person that is always doing something for someone else. She remembers everyone’s favorite treats and usually does something nice when you need it: bad day, hard times, celebrations, or just because. You know all those things you think “That would be nice if I did that…” well she does it. I want to be more like that.

Jamie: Jamie is really good at being the peacemaker and improving herself. My family is very critical and she has been able to remove herself from that and become better at that. I admire that she was able to take something that she didn’t like and do something about it.

Jake: That kid is a genius! He is so smart! He is also really deep, he is able to see meaning and goodness in everything and is very methodical, in a good way. He is calm and easy going and ready to try anything. Him moving away has shown me that you can do things by yourself and he explores a lot. I am always scared of doing things by myself.

Brooke: She has so much confidence, since I struggle with that so much I really admire that about her. She can laugh at herself and make everyone else laugh, even in a bad situation. She loves life and everything that comes with it!

Jenny: She is my youngest and craziest sister, we have our rough patches and don’t always get along, but she is so daring. She is very fashion forward and always so cute (it sounds shallow, but I think it speaks to her being able to do what she wants and like what she likes regardless of what others think).

I really am so grateful for so many amazing role models and people in my life. I love you all so much!

It's Coming

On my way to work, I passed this billboard and I got so excited! I have made it a tradition of going to the State Fair the past several years and I have loved it! Many visit the fair for the animals, the rides, or even the home grown produce, but not me. My love for the fair is strictly from my love of food. The fair has the best food around, who can pass up on my all time favorite Funnel Cake? Among the other good things: fresh dipped corn dogs, cinnamon buns, frozen lemonade, cotton candy... The list goes on! I really can not wait to go! If anyone is interested and needs someone to go with, I am always game!

If any one wants more information, just click here.

101 Things That Make Me Jill

Over the past little while I have realized that there are quite a few things that make me unique and Jill. I thought I would share with you a little of who I am (probably more than you ever cared to know):

1. I am an extreme hopeless romantic
2. I love musicals, I often wish my life was filled with musical conversations and choreographed dancing
3. When changing the volume in my car, the number always has to be an even number
4. I don't like odd numbers, unless they are multiples (5, 10, 15 or 3, 6, 9)
5. My closet is color coordinated, I even have the clothes blend from one color to the next
6. I have a strange obsession with school supplies, think birthday shopping at Staples
7. I feel a small sense of satisfaction after I have written a post and click the spell check and it said "No Misspellings Found"
8. Singing in the car at the top of my lungs is one of my favorite things to do, even when the neighboring car is staring at me
9. When eating Frosted Mini-Wheats, I save the most frosted ones to the end. I usually rank them and eat them from least to most frosted
10. I have a fetish with being on time. I usually know how long it takes me to get somewhere and leave a minute or two before that to get there
11. I usually hold people to this same expectation, which isn't usually met, or fair of me to expect it
12. I love kissing.... A LOT
13. My first crush was Mitch Reid, I think it started in pre-school and I liked him all the way through middle school
14. My biggest fear is ending up single
15. I have the world's best family, they also happen to be my best friends
16. My eyes are my favorite feature
17. I am very particular, this goes for many things: how my food is prepared, what food I will eat, the way my work computer screen is organized, how papers are stacked
18. My first job was at Sno Shack, and I hated every minute of it
19. Nice teeth, good smile, and eyes are my favorite things about guys
20. I have a huge countdown to my birthday every year, usually starting about a month in advance. It is a big deal to me, and my dad loves it
21. My only birth mark is a port-wine stain on my scalp
22. I am very competitive and stubborn, and I like being right (not a good combination)
23. I don't make friends very easily, and it takes me a while to be myself around people
24. I have to lie on my back, both sides, and then my stomach every night before I can fall asleep
25. Football is my favorite sport, I love going to games and watching them as much as possible
26. I tried to fail an eye exam in elementary school so I could get glasses
27. I have low self-esteem and sadly base my worth on other's ability to recognize it (or not recognize it)
28. Being a mom is my ultimate goal in life
29. I have lost 40 pounds since last January, I still have more to go, but am convinced I will always think I am too fat
30. I have an immense love of traveling, I hope to be able to see the world at some point in my life
31. Bags and shoes are my biggest weakness when shopping
32. Bought my first new car when I was 19, and I have loved it every day since
33. I had more absences than days attended my senior year (by almost twice as much)
34. I had the same schedule as my best friend my senior year (every single class!)
35. I got a scholarship to Utah State but lost it after my first year of college
36. Winking is one of my favorite ways guys flirt
37. The worst break-up I ever went through was with my best friend Jessica
38. I have a good ability to find the good in things, but usually ignore it and find the bad
39. The two years I was at Utah State were the hardest of my life, but I learned more about life and myself that I have ever learned
40. Chivalry and Romance is the way to my heart
41. I love surprises, knowing someone put thought and effort into it makes it that much better
42. I hate gum, I haven't chewed gum since 7th grade
43. I love the smell of laundry
44. As of December 19, I will be a college graduate
45. I love crawling into bed after I get out of the shower and I just shaved my legs
46. I ran for student body officer my sophomore year and lost, I thought it was the end of the world
47. There are only 2 stalls of 5 that I am willing to use in the women's bathroom at work
48. Crying always makes me feel better, no matter what my mood is
49. I learned my right from my left by figuring out that it is easier for me to wink my left eye, I still wink to this day to figure out my left/right
50. Getting things in the mail is one of the little pleasures of life
51. My associated degree is in General Studies, who knew you could get a degree in that?
52. I am slightly addicted to Diet Coke
53. Having my mom always home when I got home from school was my favorite, it is what makes me want to be a stay-at-home mom
54. I have a secret love for tech-y things, I just wish I knew more
55. I'm a hard worker, it's the best thing my dad could have ever taught me
56. A little appreciation for my efforts goes a long way
57. My mom made my lunch almost every day in high school
58. I am nosy and I like gossip, it's not a good thing
59. I make sure my work e-mail inbox is always empty
60. I love to read, laying in bed all day reading is my idea of a perfect day
61. I live with my brother and his wife and 5 kids, I love it, but am secretly afraid they are going to kick me out soon
62. I am in love with love; love songs, romance novels, romance films, weddings, happily ever after
63. I really like cars, if I could drive any car it would be a Range Rover
64. I have a weakness for boys with accents
65. I think cowboys are sexy
66. Funnel cake is my favorite treat, but can usually only be found at special events
67. I compare myself to other’s in almost every way
68. Utah Man Am I! I am a very big Utah fan
69. I am the type of person that only needs one good friend as opposed to lots of friends
70. My first kiss was when I was 16 with Jeremy Memmott
71. The toilet paper must always go over the top
72. My first concert was Backstreet Boys
73. At times I am frugal like my mom, but have times of spending indulgences like my dad
74. I am addicted to the Internet, I might not always have something to do on it, but I feel better if I am
75. I have my own testimony and have been shown in so many ways that Heavenly Father loves me and knows just what I need
76. I over analyze just about everything
77. Laughing is the cure for everything
78. I have the gift (and patience) for shopping at Ross and TJMaxx
79. I have severe road rage
80. Looking for the blessings in my life makes me happy and I should do it more often
81. I want to be just like everyone in my family for one reason or another
82. I am a very passionate person, I get discouraged easily and overjoyed just as fast
83. I am smart, I am very blessed to be able to just get things
84. I always go to the bathroom while brushing my teeth, if I ever just brush my teeth it makes me have to go to the bathroom
85. Eavesdropping is a guilty pleasure of mine
86. I love something about every season: fall fashion, winter holidays and snow, spring growth and warmth, summer fun, love, and sense of freedom
87. I have great potential, but fear I will never reach if fully
88. My favorite kissing (and love) scene is in The Notebook, it makes me jealous every time I watch it
89. When I have a favorite song, I listen to it over and over and over again
90. While eating different flavored candy (orange/lemon starburst, lemon/lime/orange skittles, etc.) I get all the flavors even in number and then eat them in an order
91. I have my whole wedding planned out: the dress, invitations, cake, flowers, photographer, location, color, etc (now I just need a reason to have it planned)
92. I still can't fall asleep the night before Christmas and am usually the first one up
93. I like being the center of attention and I can be very loud when I am excited
94. My favorite thing when getting home from work is the excitement of Aiden, Andrew, and Oakley when they yell "Jwill!!!" and run to see me
95. I say I don't want kids, but can't imagine ever feeling fulfilled without them
96. I am beautiful in my own way, but don't allow my self to see it
97. I am still a kid in so many ways, but feel like I have matured so much lately
98. Learning new things is exciting to me
99. I like when people are proud of me or I impress them
100. I live an extremely blessed life and need to take the time to realize it more often
101. My life gets better with each passing day, even with it's up's and down's

I Heart P&P!

A couple of days ago, while with Shannon, we discussed wanting to watch Pride and Prejudice. We decide that we would set a movie night (make dinner, pop popcorn, watch the movie, the whole works). We had it planned and opened it up for people to come. Surprisingly, several people were interested and more surprisingly several guys were interested. Our P&P night occurred last night and everything had to start with a P: Pizza, pepperoni, popcorn, pop, party, pajama's, Pride and Prejudice, etc. We made our own pizza's (which turned out really good!), jumped on the tramp (which turned into me being retarded and falling off rather dramatically and painfully), and started the show.

Watching the show with a bunch of guys is a very different experience than watching it with your girlfriends. They laugh at parts you didn't realize were funny, don't appreciate the truly good parts in the show (best scene ever, round 1 and round 2), and enjoy watching the girls react more than the show. I was pleasantly surprised that the guys gave it a fair chance and liked it (for the most part).

As I was watching the show there were so many good scenes and I just realize how much I like that show! As Trent would said it is a "Jill Show," which means basically any movie with any hint of a love story and takes place before 1950. I don't mind that these are classified as "Jill Shows" because I do have an odd attraction to time piece movies and I truly can not ever resist a love story. Pride and Prejudice always takes the cake with my favorite movie being the perfect love story and the time piece element. I was so happy to get to watch it last night!

Shannon and I went old school and had a full blown slumber party after people left, full of girl talk, boy drama, and staying up late! Good friends are the best and I am so lucky to be Shannon's friend, as well as everyone else who came over last night! It's so nice to see P&P bring people together :)

The Hopeless Romantic: Good or Bad?

As I finished Breaking Dawn last night (which was so good), it made me realize the down side of being a hopeless romantic. Filling my mind with the made up love stories, too-good-to-be-true men, more romantic that possible get-a-ways, gestures, and gifts, etc. only sets the bar higher than it should be. Wishing and hoping that my life will turn out with my knight in shining armor riding up on his white horse, reaching and exceeding my impossibly high romantic expectations, and having life really turn out happily ever after, will only leave me wanting. This is the down side of being a hopeless romantic. At times the ideology is beneficial in keeping the faith that Love really is just around the corner and Love still exists in the world, but has it's weakness in setting expectations to never be reached.

I've always wanted my life to be like the perfect love story, with the uber romantic husband and everything. I have realized, however, that this is a severely flawed sense of love. Love can only grow and strengthen through the downfalls and hard times. Of course I will want the romance, but I don't want my life to be perfect. I gain too much and appreciate so much when the road gets rough and the incline steepens. Getting through the bumps and the uphill battle is never fun, but once the road smooths and evens out, you take the time to appreciate the gentle ride and all that comes with it.

I did it!

Today was the day! I have had it planned for just over a week and now it is done! I think I lost a lot of sleep (quite literally) over this.

I started out the day like this (Ok, so this was a couple of days ago)...
Long hair and all...
And then this happened...

I went to my hair girl and told her to cut it all off! I was so excited to go short! I really have had to think about it for so long! After looking at countless pictures of how I might cut my hair I finally decided the overall look and she went for it! She cut off the pony tail so I can donate it, and then cut away! The hair on the ground isn't the length at all, it was everything she cut out to thin out my hair, apparently I have a lot of hair...

And this is how I walked out...

From the side...
And the back...

This is a HUGE change for me, but I already love it! No regrets so far! I loved keeping it a secret and now you can all be shocked with me!

On Cloud 9 and Loving it!

Today could not get any better! I haven't been this overjoyed and elated in so long, and I am loving it! Let me share with you why my day is so good:

* I finished my Stat's final and I think I did pretty well on it.
* Finishing this test finished up my summer semester!
* I picked up my term paper (which was a full credit alone) and this is what I saw...

I got an A! I am so happy!
* Getting this A means I pulled of a 17 credit semester and got all A's!
* Took my 3 books to the buy back, and they bought every single one! I am $71 richer! - it has been many semesters since they actually bought back a book of mine.
* I called my mom to share in my good news and she was just about as excited as I was, as well as so proud of me! That made me feel so good!
* Summer Vacation officially starts today for three weeks!
* Breaking Dawn comes out tonight at Midnight, but due to the following, I won't get able to get it until tomorrow, but I'm still pretty darn excited!
* To top everything off, I have a date tonight. That hasn't happened in ages and I am pretty excited.

Basically I am in love with life today! I also think some big changes are coming and I am excited! So stay tuned...