So True...

Happiness

Every now and again, someone will ask me why I'm always so happy. Sometimes I feel like it's hard to answer that question. Not because it's hard to answer, but because they can't seem to grasp the concept. People try to make everything harder than it is. I saw this lovely little chart today, and for any of you who have ever asked me that question, here is your answer! If I'm happy, I go with it. If I'm not happy, I decide if I really want to be miserable. Of course the answer is no, so the only thing to do at that point is figure out what's making me unhappy, and to fix it. There are a lot of things you can fix, then there are other things you have no control over. Here is where one of my very favorite quotes comes into play!

There are a lot of things we have not control over, but why let that get in the way of your happiness!? It doesn't matter what situation you find yourself in, you can always make that choice to be happy. I'm not saying it's easy, I'm just saying its worth it.

Punctuation

     Do you know what really bugs me? When people don't use punctuation. I'm not even talking about the wrong kind of punctuation. I'd be the first to admit I'm absolutely almost always wrong with where I place, and don't place my comas. I like to use periods, question marks, and exclamation points in groups of three. I often even mix question marks and exclamation points. An English teacher would be horrified! What bugs me is when you get a sentence like this that just keeps going on and on I have started the next sentence but you wouldnt know that because there is no punctuation Also some of these words arent even words without their proper apostrophes Do you see my point? Ugg! The worst offenders are boys when they text. I don't care if it takes you an extra ten seconds to change screens in order to find a period to put at the end of your sentence. What I can tell you is it isn't even worth sending the text if I can't quickly understand what you are trying to say. I promise it doesn't all have to be correct, it just has to be existent. Is that really too much to ask?

Joan of Arc

     Do you see the girl on the horse? Of course, how could you miss her, standing so tall and commanding and triumphant? What would you say if I told you I have been portraying her all week? I'm sure you would have a similar reaction as I did. I see a few problems: First of all, there's the battle armor. I have never put on armor, in fact ask me when the last time I have even seen real armor...never. Then there's the face. It looks so hard, so cruel, so old. I am not old. I am not even 16! And then there's all of the men around her, looking up at her with admiring, yet fearing eyes. I can't do that. I am not old, cruel, commanding, or particularly admirable to older, wiser men also in cruel battle armor.

Aha! This is better! This is the Joan I have been playing all week. This Joan, yes, still has battle armor on, but she looks so out of place in it, that it fits her. This Joan shows some tenderness, she cares. She is not hostile, old, and cruel, but young and wise for her years, and you know, she looks like a girl! Did I mention a young one? This is the Joan I imagine came to the king and told him she, with God's help, could fight the English and Win. This is the Joan who was martyred for her beliefs. She has compassion, yet I can see in her eyes that they are capable of hardening towards her enemies and she can become fierce, but that is not who she personally is.

Most people who take on the role of Joan portray her as the first picture does. For some people, that works, but that is not who I am, and that is not who I see her being. My Joan and I have a lot in common. I have no clue who the first one is. That, my friends, is one of the beautiful things about theatre. No one can tell you exactly how to play the part. You get to choose. You get to bring elements of yourself onstage with you to color and bring your character to life.  That, my friends, is a great thing :)



I hope they call me on a mission....

I'm sorry Braiden, you never grew that extra foot or two ;) Elder Braiden R. Shumway has been called to serve in the Villahermosa, Mexico mission. He leaves for the MTC on January 18th. I am so proud of him! He is one of my best examples. He has shown me what it means to accept everyone for who they are. He is one of those people who anyone can talk to about anything. He has also shown me it is possible to keep high standards in high school while still having a complete and total blast. He has shown me what it means to "live like you believe." He has always been one of those people I look at and think, "If I can be half that good, I've done a pretty good job." He has always been "an example of the believers." He has also shown me what it means to be selfless. Over the past few years, we have been best friends. I honestly can't imagine a better friend in this whole world. He listens to me, and lets me pick his brain for advice whenever I would like. He always has time for me, even if he is busy. He has driven me around...a lot, with minimum complaining ;) He is always telling me, "Hey, come help me do this so we can make moms day when she comes home." He finds the good in everything. When I am stressed, he helps me realize it's not as big of a deal as I think it is. He is such a good example to me of what a worthy priesthood holder should be like. Watch out Mexico! You have a seriously great kid coming, ready to change your lives forever!

Where have I been?

      High school! That's where I've been. How would I sum up my experience so far? May I express my feelings through a little song and dance...wait, that won't work, so I guess you're stuck with Shakespeare (Sorry, I know I'm a nerd). "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." Hamlet (Act II, Scene II.) My thoughts exactly. High school has been a crazy adventure so far! Everything is so crazy, and yet, it makes it all worth while!
       What makes the school so crazy you may ask? I guess it's just different. For example, everyone is huge. I have never felt so small in my entire life, but I have decided it's ok...as long as I'm not being stepped on. I have worn a dress once a week, and no one has looked at me like I'm insane. I can sit with different people at lunch everyday and have tons of friends involved in lots of different things, not just one "clique." One of our school sponsored activities included a swimming party at 10 o'clock at night. Dress up days for homecoming week are highly encouraged (pictures to come!). I get to take on a very difficult Shakespeare piece, and I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge! (P.S. if anyone happens to be interested, I would love some help blocking!) The atmosphere is a lot more laid back than Jr. high. Yes, there are teachers who are still very orderly and up tight, but most of the teachers seem to get that we will be more inclined to study and do our work if they include even a glimmer of joy (i.e. singing Disney songs while working on our math homework, taking frequent trips into the sunshine, sitting on the floor, constant "laffy taffy-esque" jokes, you get the idea.) Basically, I'm excited for the next three years!

"Old Fashioned" S'mores Maker

I'm a fan of a good s'more on a summer evening around the campfire. In fact, my family built a fire pit in our backyard so we could have s'mores and family time around the campfire daily if we so desire. (No, we don't have a fire daily, I'm just illustrating a point.) However, there is no need for that anymore! Not when you can have the "Old Fashioned S'mores Maker!"

Yes, it is a real thing my friends. No need to smell like a campfire, find sticks, or even turn the occasion of s'mores into special time spent with friends and family. You can now have s'mores the "old fashioned way!" I'm sure our founding fathers simply plugged this baby into their power outlets and Wahla! They had a perfect s'more every time!

Ok, really? Why? I don't quite get it. Someone explain this one to me. When I saw this, I almost cried laughing at the reviews on "Amazon." This was my personal favorite:

"The claim about this product allowing s'mores to be made "virtually anywhere" in the home got me really excited. The kitchen is only the beginning to the fun:

Want a breakfast of s'mores? Just set up this bad boy with a timer on your nightstand, and you'll be awakened by the smell of delicious marshmallows wafting through your bedroom.

Gotta eat and run? I bought an extra one for the coat closet so I can enjoy a warm s'more on my way out the door on a cold day.

Eat too many tacos last night and can't leave the bathroom? No problem! Just set this baby on the counter next to the sink and you don't even have to leave your seat.

The only place I couldn't get it to work was in the bathtub. That was a nasty shock, since I wanted to unwind after work with a glass of wine and a nice s'more.

You may want to skip the outside use though. I took this camping with my kids and it didn't work very well. We set it up over the campfire and all of the plastic melted. For an "Old Fashioned" S'Mores maker, I expected it to be a bit more versatile. Next time I'll just bring a bunch of extension cords."

EFY 2011

 EFY! Anyone who has embarked on this great adventure would understand that it just cannot be put into words, therefore, take a look at these, um...., fantastic pictures!

Unseen+a cool guy in a monster suit! I love you guys!

Lookin' sharp boys!

Hey Sid! We match!

Can I tell you a secret? Trey is 6'3". I was pretty proud of myself at this moment!

Ken and Sid! P.S. Hey Sid, you might want to put your eyeballs back inside your head...you might want them later!

I got to wear the company flag! "Who are we?" "UNSEEN!"

The S.P.I.C.E. Crew! Minus me of course!

My counselor Kari and I! I love you Kari!!!

Playing "Go Fish" with High School Musical face cards in a hall we weren't supposed to be in...oops.

Almost caught by the boys for an inescapable lung crushing bear hug!

They got me!

I'm flying! Do you want to know what was really going through my head at this moment? "Trey, if you don't catch me, I'm going to kill you!" But it's ok, look at the sheer concentration on his face! :)

Dog Pile!!! Guess who's at the bottom? Yep, my counselor Tanner!

All nighter Friday night! Wooo! This is me, looking through "the eye" to make sure the BC's weren't in the lobby!

"Real men sleep under the bed." I guess that makes me a man?

Did you know if you lick someones elbow while they aren't looking they won't feel it? Yep, we warned J not to fall asleep!

What can keep you awake all night? Yep, "purple stuff," and lots of it!

Steavie, the dorm rock, was hungry!

My roomie Becca....and Christian? Hey! What are you doing in there!? ;)

Did you get enough food Sid?

I could get used to this! ;)


Thanks for an amazing week guys!

Youth Conference 2011- "The Living Water"

For youth conference this year, my ward went up Provo Canyon to go camping and boating on Deer Creek. This weekend has been my very favorite part of summer so far! I don't know how to put it all into words, and to be honest, we were lacking so much sleep it probably wouldn't be very funny unless you were there, so to save you time and boredom, I will just give you a top 10 list.
1. Boating
2. Jumping and switching tubes
3. Playing Corners down the canyon at 40 miles per hour...in the middle. (Sorry boys!)
4. Brother Ellis and his Pinkie Pie pony.
5. 50 year old bikers. (Yes Landon, we know you liked it ;)
6. Sister Gower and Sister Stingers stories!
7. Sitting around the camp fire until 3 am.
8. Corners down the Canyon time two/Abby and Landon's face marks on the windows.(Gross!)
9. Chandler...keep digging that hole ;) Sister Gower does not personally know Ulysses S Grant (She's not that old), I am not 12 (I know what  you meant), and yes, Sister Stinger is pregnant (and does not dance!)
10. The unity that was born, the friends that were made, and the spirit that was felt there.

Graduation

Braiden has officially graduated from high school! Sad, but true. He graduated with a perfect 4.0. I am so proud of him! Good job Braiden!

Do you want to hear a scary story?

I drove today. No, I'm not even kidding! Ya, like in a real car, on a real street, with real pedestrians and other cars to hit...I mean smoothly drive around. No, not MarioKart. It was scary, more scary than backtucks on the beam. At least you can do that blindfolded!

The Garage Door Ultimatum

My family is officially the coolest. Actually, I feel really stupid right now, but I'm sure it was really funny to watch. It all started when the hail came pouring and my family stood in the doorway to watch, as well as several neighbors, including the ones across the street. Then the bets started. I don't know why I am always the prey to their vicious pranks, but I usually am. So there we were, sitting in the doorway watching the hail pound down when my family starts making bets. Here's how they went:
Braiden: Two dollars if I make it to the across the street neighbors lawn.
Braiden: Five dollars if I make it to their garage.
Mom: Seven dollars if I steal the rain gutter Brother Ward just ran out to adjust.
Dad: Ten additional dollars if I get struck by lightning on the way.

Well folks, I'm five dollars richer and very wet.

Hungry Hungry Hippos

        How many people does it take to assemble a game of "Hungry Hungry Hippos"? You know, the classic children's game? Turns out more than my next door neighbor who is in first grade. In fact, it takes a first grader, a high school valedictorian, a school teacher, and a pharmacist. Who woulda' thunk?

Wanna Go Swimming?

Alright folks, don't forget your water wings! April showers bring May flowers.....and large lakes? This was my backyard about three weeks ago. My brother wouldn't get back into the water because it was so cold, but the water was almost up to his knees in the back corner. The neighbors were a little concerned about him as they looked out their windows and saw him in his swimming suit pulling chords (that were supposed to turn the pumps on) out of the lake. It was probably about 30 degrees outside. Well, at least all that water wasn't in our basement as it usually is when there is flooding. Let us pray that the run-off from the mountains does not run into our basement this summer!

Destruction

Izzie and Claire. They are so cute and look so Innocent, but don't let them fool you. Just take a look at these toys purchased a mere week ago. Yep. Last Saturday, we had a whole duck and a whole frog. Now look at them. The duck has lost both it's feet, all its stuffing (which has been a pain to pick up seeing as it was scattered through the entire house) it has been torn open and shredded. The frog is in somewhat better shape. It has just lost two legs, and some stuffing is gone, but other than that and the small hole in the back, it is mostly together.  The tag said "durable"... I wonder what they thought the dogs planned on doing with them. Obviously, they did not anticipate a few games of tug-of-war.

Spring Fever

I have spring fever. Symptoms?
1. I am so sick of school it's not even funny.
2. It takes a ton of personal motivation to make me start my homework.
3. I want to constantly be outside.
4. Studying for tests is harder than it was at the beginning of the year.
5. Staying awake in class is nearly an impossible task.
6. I often find myself counting. Example: How many days, weeks, and class periods until school is out.
7. Weekends are my new best friend.
8. I no longer wake up to my alarm. My mom had to physically push me out of my bed to get me up on Friday. The funny thing is, I don't remember the five times she says she woke me up before that point.
9. Procrastination is becoming more and more of a habit.
10. I spend more time finding reasons why I can put off my homework than actually doing it.

I need summer to come cure me. Sooner than later please!

Nursery Rhymes

This guy definitely has talent.

High School

I am terrified, but I am also extremely excited. How can these two words exist in the same sentence you may ask? Easily. It's called high school. I walked right in yesterday to sign up for an audition. I had confidence. I knew where I was headed and what I was doing. Then, I stopped. Why did I stop you may ask? Everyone there looked so BIG! I know, hard to believe with my towering stance of 4' 11"(and a 1/2) but it's true. I looked right up at a very tall, muscular senior, and realized this would be a normal event next year. Walking into the doors, looking at all the tall, grown up, somewhat mature people, and trying to remember the good old days of obsessing over Disney princesses and not worrying about being stuffed in a locker. Yet, every time I think of it, I get more and more excited. I'm going to high school next year! My sophomore friends will be there as juniors, and I won't be at the Jr. high anymore. I will be able to date and drive, and basically, I'm excited! 

You want me to choose one?

Some of my favorite songs:
1. Bennie And The Jets: Sung by Haley Reinhart on American Idol
2. Hey There Delilah: Plain White T's
3. King of Anything: Sara Bareilles
4. I do Adore: Mindy Gledhill
5. Kiss Me: Six Pence None the Richer
6. In Whatever Time We Have: From Children of Eden
7. Mario Kart Love Song: Sam Hart
8. Crush: David Archeleta
9.Elevator: David Archeleta
10. Bad Day: Daniel Powter

Uh....You Wanted Me to Learn Something?

Day 29
What have I learned while doing this challenge?
1. I like lists. Everything is better and more organized in a list.
2. I don't really like to blog on specific assigned topics most of the time.
3. Some topics really force you to get creative (especially if you can twist it in some way so you don't have to write on the assigned topics you don't want to write about.)
4. Some of the topics that seem like they would be the easiest to write on, are actually the hardest.
5. This is a great thing to do if you are coming up with excuses of why you should procrastinate your homework.

Day 28

Last Year

This year

How have I changed? That's kind of  hard one. One year isn't very long. Lets see....I think I am more confident. I'm not as self conscience. I don't really care what people think about me anymore. I've always been really outgoing, but this year I have really expanded my friend groups. I don't think I really would have done that as easily last year. I think this year I have fought more for what I want than in years past, (i.e. parts in plays) even if they don't work out. I haven't been as stressed this year. I think I finally figured out homework will always be there, but it doesn't help to get really stressed over it. I think I understand people better than I did last year. I've learned a little more about why people do certain things and how to deal with it. I have always seemed to be the go-to when people need advice, and I think I give better advice this year than last year as well because I understand people better. I don't know...this was a hard one.

Why the Challenge?

Day 27
My aunt started doing the challenge so I thought, "Hey, cool! A challenge!" So here I am, doing this challenge. Challenges and goals get kind of addicting for me, so I thought it would be fun.

My Buddies

Day 26

What do I think about my friends? I think they are wonderful! I love them so much! I mean look at these pictures! Who else is great enough to do all this stuff? Just my friends.

Marry Poppins Bag

Day 25
I just emptied out my bag/purse and this is what I found:
1. Lip gloss and chap stick
2. Travel Size Hairspray
3. Brush
4. Bobby pins
5. Camera
6. A picture my little sister drew for me.
7. Phone
8. Ipod
9. Wallet
10. Notebook
11. Pen and Pencil
12. Lotion
13. Breath Mints
14. For The Strength of Youth book.
15. To do list
16. Key to my house
17. The movie "Taming of the Shrew" (Ok, that one isn't usually in there)
18. Hand Sanitizer
19. Ibuprofen
20. Flash Drive
21. Tissues
22. Blank Thank You note
You know, I carry all that around all the time, but my bag really doesn't look all that full. Maybe it really is a Marry Poppins bag!

A Letter

Day 24
Dear Mom and Dad,
Thank you. I really don't know what else I could say. Mom, thank you so much for everything you do. You are my example of what love and service really is. Also, thanks for putting up with me. I know sometimes I can be kind of irritating. You can only listen and try to help me with 16 measures of an audition so many times before you go insane. Thanks for helping me with all my monologues and scenes and plays you help me memorize. Thanks for giving me the confidence to keep doing them. Thanks for playing taxi and driving me around so much. Just one more year of that :) Thanks for listening to me and giving me therapeutic mommy talks. Thanks for supporting me in all I do. You were at all my gymnastics meets cheering me on, (I know they were about 8 hours long and I only performed for about 10 minutes of that) and now you are at all my play performances still cheering me on. You have never missed a single event that is important to me. I love you so much!

Dad, Thank you for everything you do. Thank you for listening to me and giving me advice. I know most girls don't tell their Dads everything, especially when it comes to boys and girl drama and stuff, but thanks for listening and helping me through it. I know I can always come to you. Thank you for showing me what loving and really living and applying the scriptures is all about. I really admire that. Thanks for helping me understand my scriptures. You have taught me so much! Thanks for supporting me. Thank you for taking work off to be to those things that are important to me. That means so much to me I can't even tell you. Thank you for always building me up. You always make me feel like I am important and special to you. I love you so much!

Love, Allie

Tag, You're It!

Blogger tag. I didn't know it existed. But apparently, I'm it. Thanks Lesh, love you too. So here's how it works. You open your pictures to the fourth file, then you post the fourth picture within that file. Then you have the joy of trying to explain it.

Explanation: This is Parker. We were at Audreys house....playing dress ups. All I can say is we were really tired, and really hyper. "My jaw is too masculine for my crown!" Haha, good times, good times.

So here's the best part! (Yes, humiliating Parker was fun, but this is even better!) I get to tag two new people now! I choose Audrey and Mandy. Tag, you're it!

Cravings

Day 23

I love brownie batter. Especially the kind you make from the box. Unfortunately for me, my mom won't let me eat just the batter. Therefore, I often make brownies just to lick the bowl. Pathetic, I know.

Day 22
"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." ~ Dr. Seuss

I like lists. A lot actually. So here are 50 things that combined make me different than anyone else.
1. I can't stand having my toenails not painted. I don't like having my fingernails painted though.
2. I could read novel after novel for an entire day without stopping. I love to read!
3. Acting is my passion.
4. I love, love, love to sing! (That doesn't make me good at it)
5. I didn't know I was a good dancer until December of this year.
6. I play the violin.
7. I love music, and I love it in almost any era or genera.
8. I love to go boating, and I  love to water ski.
9. I'm kind of a blogging addict.
10. I am very opinionated.
11. Molly Mormon :)
12. I love cute romance novels.
13. I have a really spoiled Yorkie who my whole family treats like the baby of the family.
14. I love colors! I like them on walls, I like them in pictures, I like them in clothes, I just love colors!
15. I'm a very artistic person, I just can't draw. (Drawing is not the only kind of art believe it or not)
16. I want to be a teacher when I'm all grown up.
17. I would love to be an interior designer on the side.
18. I like to be in charge.
19. I have a 4.0 that I guard with my life and I don't even think it's nerdy.
20. I love pretty dresses.
21. I love to take pictures. I would love to do photography someday.
22. I'm excited to start growing up.
23. I could spend hours playing "Just Dance" on the wii.
24. My brother and I are best friends.
25. I love anything and everything that is girlie.
25. I say "My dear," "You're a peach!" "Don't worry about it," and "My love" a lot.
25. I love boys who sing and dance.
26. I don't like running long distances, but I love to sprint.
27. I think technology is really cool.
28. I am 4'11" and a half, and I have recently decided I'm ok with it... I like it even.
29. I did gymnastics for a lot of years.
30. I like to watch movies,especially with my family.
31. I like to sleep in until 10.
32. I have a secret desire to be serenaded with "Out of My League" by Stephen Speaks.
33. I write in my journal every night.
34. I love to write and I want to write a book this summer.
35. I like it when I'm getting my haircut and they wash my hair.
36. I absolutely adore little kids.
37. I could hold new born babies for hours and not get bored.
38. I like to just sit and talk to people. I don't like to do something every minute of everyday.
39. At lunch, I hate just sitting when every ones food is gone. I have to be walking.
40. I like to go on walks.
41. I like words.
42. I love quotes. I have a cute little notebook I write quotes I like in. When I have spare time (which I rarely do) I look up quotes.
43. I like hands.
44. I have 6 pictures/statues of the Salt Lake temple in my bedroom.
45. I have spent 3 years now decorating my room and it's almost done. (I do have to admit, it is very pretty)
46. I think burns are the worst kind of pain.
47. I will soon have 10 poison dart frogs in my living room in a glass coffee table my dad made.
48. I love to tease people and be teased back.
49. I love loose hairdos but I can never seem to get them to work myself.
50. My favorite dessert is brownie batter not baked straight out of the bowl.

I'm Yours/ Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Straight No Chaser

I heard this song and kind of fell in love with it. Its great!

A Picture of Summer

Day 21

This is a picture of summer. It also happens to be a picture of a lake which makes me pretty happy too. Summer is a time of no stress. It is a time for soaking up as much vitamin D as you possibly can before the sun is lost for seven months. I am tired of school. I am to the point where I really just do not want to do anything. I am ready for summer. Luckily today is the start of spring break, which  I need. Unfortunately, teachers are under the impression they should give us huge projects the day before spring break that are due the day we come back. Ridiculous! My brain is fried. I'm ready for summer.

Prince Charming

Day 20
Prince Charming. Definitely Prince Charming. What? He doesn't really exist!? Ok, well then I don't know.  What I do know is I'm a total dork and I keep a list of traits that I want my future husband to have. Here are a few off the list (Not in any particular order):
1. Tall, dark, and handsome of course!
2. Someone who will sing to me and dance with me.
3. RM
4. Someone who can, and will take me to the temple.
5. Someone with a strong testimony.
6. Someone who likes to have fun and joke around.
7. Someone who loves me for who I am.
8. Someone who doesn't have a temper.
9. Someone non-dramatic. I'm sorry, but guys should not be more dramatic than girls. It just doesn't work.
10. Someone who doesn't mind just sitting and talking.

My Name, but Different

Day 19
Allie: My real name is Allison but that is long, and formal, and Allie is cute and girlie.
Als or Al: Apparently Allie is occasionally too long, so most of the time my family and friends shorten it further.
Alligator: My Parents called me Allie-Allie-Alligator when I was little.
Allicat: My mom still calls me this all the time. It also came when I was little as a joke but the name stuck.
Albert: The only person I will allow to call me this is my grandpa Van Tassel. He has called me this ever since I can remember, probably since birth, and he will probably continue to use this name into the eternities. I can't ever remember him calling me anything but that except when he gives me blessings.
Smalls: No one calls me this anymore, but it was what everyone, including a few coaches, called me at the gym.
Tinkerbelle: Long story. Don't worry about it.

Plans, Dreams, and Goals

Day 18
I have so many plans, dreams, and goals. As I said before, I am so goal oriented it's not even funny. Goals are often the only way I can encourage myself to get things done. I also like plans. I plan out everything, and I do mean everything. I plan out what I'm going to wear for the week, I plan what I am going to do when I get home from school during 4th period, etc. I do have some bigger plans too, like college plans, but I think everything through. I have a whole notebook of to-do lists. I have a lot of dreams as well. I am not afraid to dream big. In fact, almost all of my dreams are huge. I am definitely a dreamer. In order to save you from listening to me drone on and on about things you really don't want to hear about, I will just share one of each, not that you really want to even hear one, but for blogging purposes, you will have to endure.
Plans: I have a very large, elaborate, thought out plan of how I am going to get through high school and college and eventually get married. As I have shared before, my plans never work out. However, I am always glad they don't in the end. Since this is a very long plan and most of it is based on things I have no control over, I can almost guarantee it won't work according to plan, but there is definitely a plan.
Dreams: I would love to act in a professional theatre. Not just high school and community stuff, but places like the Hale Center Theatre, or other professional places. Maybe even Broadway if I work hard enough and the chance comes around.
Goals: I have a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon between the months of May and August.

Switch Places?

Day 17
If I could switch lives for a day with anyone, I don't think I would. Sure, there are things I absolutely wish I could do, like sing on Broadway, but I don't think I would want to be one of those people without doing the work behind it. Many people want to switch places with sports stars, but let me tell you, the work it takes to get there is really hard. A lot harder than people realize. The life of a sports star is not all that its cracked up to be. For example, in order to work towards the Olympics for gymnastics, you have to be 100% dedicated. You have to be home schooled giving up most if not all of your social life, its a possibility you have to move out of state, if not out of the country, you have to ask your family to make sacrifices for you, you have to be at the gym at least 25 hours a week if not more, you have to travel a lot, you have to put up a huge fight in order to not compete on Sundays sometimes, its tough. It takes a lot of work, and people at that level are not well rounded because you have to spend so much time in one thing. You are basically an expert at one thing and one thing only. Since I have "retired" from gymnastics, so many doors have opened up to me. I learned to do things I never thought I could because sure, I wasn't doing double backs off the bars or layouts on the beam anymore, but I had time to become well rounded and try new things. I started learning to sing, and I transferred some of my gymnastics into dancing, I learned how to act, I learned to cook, I could help around the house more and I wasn't always so tired. I actually learned what the term "free time" is. I think when people want to  switch places with extraordinary  sports stars, or actors, ect., they don't realize the sacrifice behind it. They don't realize to be at that level, you have to give up so much more than I think it's worth. Its a hard choice to make. I wouldn't trade all those years in the gym, they taught me some important things and skills, but I wouldn't trade my life like it is right now for anything in the world.

Summer

Day 16

          This week has been happy and sunny. I wore shorts to school and it felt great! I was looking through boating pictures of my family this morning and when I found this one it made me super duper happy because it finally feels like summer is on its way and this will soon be possible once again. I sat day dreaming of swimsuits, boating, cut off shorts, water skiing, being tan, cliff diving, sleeping in until 10am on a Wednesday, and jumping off the docks of flaming gorge. Then I looked outside. Its snowing. Mother nature, this isn't funny anymore! I am physically in pain! I need summer! Every time I open a text book I  have this huge pang of unbearable longing for summer. I don't think I can bare the 8 more weeks of school. Summer is not coming fast enough.

Shuffle

Day 15
The first 10 songs my ipod plays when on shuffle:
1. Choose the right- The Mormon Tabernacle Chior
2. If I Had Eyes- Jack Johnson
3. 1 Nephi 1- Book of Mormon
4. Preparation Brings Blessings- 2010 April General Conference: Bishop Keith B. McMullin
5. Mosiah 13- The Book of Mormon
6. Arrise and Shine Forth- Jenny Phillips
7. Our Perfect Example- 2009 October General Conference: Henry B. Eyring
8. The Remedy- Jason Mraz
9. Kiss Me- Sixpence Nnone the Richer
10. Falcon In the Dive- The Scarlet Pimpernel

The first 10 songs my ipod plays just from my favorites playlist on shuffle:
1. Love Like Woe- The Ready Set
2. Breathe- Anna Nalick
3. A Thousand Miles- Vanessa Carlton
4. I Run to You- Lady Antebellum
5. Fearless- Taylor Swift
6. Don't Stop Believin'- Glee Cast
7. King of Anything- Sara Bareilles
8. How to Save a Life- The Fray
9. Love Song- Sara Bareilles
10. Stuck Like Glue- Sugarland

My Family

Day 14

Me and my bestie! Isn't she cute? I love her.

Possibly one of my favorite pictures taken of all time!

My family! I love them so much!

You Know, the Number 13 is Bad Luck....

Day 13

Dear Water ski and ski rope,

My dad promised you would never hurt me. He said it was impossible. You proved my whole family wrong. Ouch! I fell in love with this great sport, and you viciously tried to rip my arm off ski rope! Not cool! I thought you of all things, the thing that lifted me from the depth of the waters so many times would never do such a thing! But I was wrong. As for you water ski, you are not off the hook either. You thought you could get away with this!? I really liked that piece of skin you tore off my face. When you left, you took a part of me with you (pun intended). I was not exactly ok with either of these acts of selfishness. I know it takes a special soul to be hurt by these two things, and the fact that I may be a first is not exactly a shocker, but really? Why me? As summer approaches, and you have taken some time to come to terms with yourself in the bottom of our boat all winter, I hope when we reunite at the waters edge we can be friends once again. I shall be anxiously waiting for summer sunshine so I can see you again. I hope we can make amends and get along better this year, preferably without injury.

Love, Allie

How It All Began...

Day 12
Well, you see, my mom has had a blog for a very long time, so that's how I found out about it. I thought blogs were just for married people who have kids though. It wasn't until last year when one of my dear friends showed me her blog. It was so cute and I loved reading it. She has such a way with words. It made me jealous how she could portray her voice through writing on a page. You could completely imagine her saying it, and she colored the white page with such good, descriptive words that just flowed so easily together. I decided I wanted to develop the talent, and there is no better way than to practice. I'm not really sure that it worked, but it doesn't matter, because over the past year since I have had a blog, I'm hooked. I love to blog, and I know that is completely and totally nerdy. Don't worry, I have accepted the fact. I'm over it. Blogging is just such a good way to express yourself. Its like a scrapbook, only it doesn't cost a bazillion dollars, or a bazillion hours. Its great.

More Pictures

Day 11
Since I did bigger group pictures for day 3, here are some of my favorite smaller group pictures:

Shadows!

Um...ya...I wasn't aware that was happening.

Maddie, I love your face. Mikelle, you look disturbed...me, I promise wasn't going to eat you!

Ok, to understand the greatness of this picture, you would have to know Paul. This is to Maddie, Kaylie, and Audrey. To the rest of you, I am sorry but you have not met Paul, therefore your life is not complete.

EFY! Look at this kid! He is huge!

Swimsuit modeling at girls camp with Emily!

11:11 wishes!

You are never to old for the 100th day of school!

You are also never too old for tea parties! Alesha my dear, you need to work on your manners girl!

Think they'll fit?

I love Seussical!