TREATZ on TREATZ

I am constantly bopping around the internet to find great things to eat here in the city so I thought I would share the treats we've eaten so far! And what I thought was wonderful and what I thought was overrated. OK. These are not in any order.

Actually, I think I shall start with CUPCAKES.

Sprinkles YES
We all know I love this place. Make sure to read their tweets and go on a day when they have a secret code that you "whisper" to buy one get one free. Ate ours in Central Park. Bliss. Tried the lemon coconut one, it's a sham. I have found that most coconut cupcakes are a sham as they are vanilla/lemon/chocolate cake with vanilla/lemon/chocolate buttercream and covered in coconut flakes. The flakes being the only coconut component. HELLO. Flakes aren't even the best part about coconut!! So don't get that one unless you have a bizarre affinity for coco flakes. Strawberry is still my favorite.

Molly's YES
Started in Chicago and now she has an adorable little shop on Bleeker Street. Cannot beat the ambience here. But be careful if you use the bathroom because the lock does not work and someone will walk in on you. Molly's schtick is that her cupcakes are all filled! And delicious! CJ and I got the Cookie Monster one and it was really good and it has cookie dough inside so obviously it's the best choice. The frosting on it tasted like straight butter and befuddled me for a while. CJ can attest that I did not stop talking about it. "How do you think they make this?????" Side note: I have had the PB/chocolate one before too and it is also delicious.

Georgetown Cupcake NO
We kind of got off on the wrong foot because I noticed that they charge you for the box if you buy several cupcakes. That is morally wrong. I like this place because it's in SoHo and because everything is pink. I do not like this place because their cupcakes are dry. And kinda tiny. The end. Maybe I will give it another chance but probably not since I have about 100,000 better treats to try.

Baked by Melissa NOOOO
Another cupcake I am feeling a little bitter about. Melissa's schtick is that her cupcakes are ACTUALLY bite-sized. As in ONE bite. Two if you're lucky or splitting it. This is an adorable idea except for the fact that each of them costs A D O L L A R.  Is it just me or is that a little ridiculous??? I'll let u have a bite of my cupcake......FOR A DOLLAR! No, thanks. I had to try it for the sake of trying all the cupcake places and they actually are really yummy. I think the tiny size helps to keep the ratio of frosting to cake just perfect and the cake itself is REALLY moist. But I will not be purchasing any more of her teaspooncakes because...personal ethics. I tried Cinnamon and Cookie Dough, CJ had Mint Choc Chip.

OTHER TREATS

Crack Pie from Momofuku Milk Bar YES
Listen to me. Eat this. Don't share.

Cereal Milk soft serve from Momofuku NAH
I just had to try this for myself, but I do not recommend unless your favorite pastime is drinking the milk out of your cereal bowl after eating corn flakes.

Ice Cream Sandwich from The Good Batch in Brooklyn NAH
We stumbled upon this delicacy at Schmorgasburg, a food fair in Brooklyn that takes place every Saturday in the summer. They had a few different flavors to choose from and we chose the Goodwich: vanilla ice cream drizzled with fudge and sandwiched between two oat chocolate chunk cookies sprinkled with sea salt. I thought it was really good but it was TOO SALTY. I understand a little bit of salt (a "sprinkling" you might say) for contrast but this was too much for me. Either way we ate the whole thing and I mostly enjoyed it but the salt left a bad taste in my mouth (literal and metaphorical.)

Frozen Hot Chocolate from Serendipity 3 YEAH SURE MAYBE
Get this. But not if you have to wait very long. And don't plan to share it because there is an $8.50 minimum per person at this joint. It is noted in a corner of their mess of a menu in world's smallest print. I think if I knew that before I went I would be less put-off by it but whatever. This frozen hot chocolate, which will cost you about $9, is delicious and I think you should definitely spring for it. Plus it's one of those novelty NYC things that you "have" to do...but seriously if you have to wait like an hour or something just don't go and it's really not that big of a deal. Dunkin Donuts has frozen hot choc, too.

Cheesecake (Creme de la creme Cream Cheese Cake, as they call it) from Serendipity 3 NO 3X
No, no, no. CJ only got this because of the aforementioned minimum of $8.50 per person, and I didn't think it was very good at all. It doesn't come with anything on it except whip cream, I didn't like the crust, and it just wasn't sweet enough for me. Tasted like a bite of a brick of cream cheese to me. But CJ liked it so whatever. Just no. Get the frozen hot chocolate, do not get anything else.

Banana Pudding from Magnolia Bakery YEAH 3X
REALLY yummy. $5 for a cup but you can definitely split it between two people because it is so rich. CJ and I could barely finish. If you are going to Magnolia, this is the thing to try for sure!

I am in sweet sweet love with this city.

LISTEN UP AND LISTEN GOOD

As you all know, I am approaching college graduation. I am ecstatic! My experience has been better than I could have imagined and I have grown so much, intellectually and otherwise.

HOWEVER. I've started looking for a job and I'm finding it fairly difficult. My degree is in American Studies and my minor is Spanish, and I don't really want to know what I would like to do as a career. Obviously with a major like mine that does not lead to a specific career path, I have a lot of options open to me. When I was choosing a major my freshman year, I didn't really think I wanted to have a career at all, a job maybe...but I pretty much planned on going on a mission, coming back and finishing school and getting married to a wealthy man and having babies. And then I realized that having a career might actually be fun and cool and fulfilling, and I also became a feminist so. Now I do want to have some sort of career.* And this is where we get to the part that, frankly, is starting to get really old.

I REALIZE that my job search would be much easier if I majored in a different field like math or science. I REALIZE that by choosing a Humanities degree I put myself at a disadvantage in a world where business, science, and technological career opportunities are abounding. Don't worry, I have kicked myself plenty of times and thought, "Damn, I should have done Accounting! I could have a job in two seconds!" So I really don't need anyone else to tell me how foolish my decision was. The jokes about how Taco Bell is hiring American Studies majors are not funny anymore. I can joke about it if I want to, and if I feel discouraged and regretful about my major choice, that's my prerogative. But it's really not anyone's place to make me feel like my degree isn't worth anything.

I would be a lousy accountant. And probably super crabby because I don't like math and I'm not good at it. Sure, I could have gone into Computer Science, but I probably wouldn't have cried TEARS OF JOY in class as many times as I have, or felt like I wanted to shout what I had just learned about humanity and culture and feminism and love from the mountaintops. For some people, Computer Science does it for them. Not me, sir.

THE THING IS I AM A DAMN GOOD AMERICAN STUDIES MAJOR. I know it, I live it, I love it. You know why I hardly ever skip class? Because I LOVE CLASS. I enjoy coming to school and I enjoy writing my papers and I love working with my professors. The things I have learned about myself, the world, and America have forever changed the way I think about everything. LITERALLY EVERYTHING. My education is something really important to me that I will treasure forever. Also, I'mma take it with me to the next life where they probably don't have taxes and probably do have art and literature and people and music and language.

The other thing is that I am good at pretty much everything required to be a valuable employee. Working with a team, being nice, hard-working, dependable, good communication, writing skills, not stupid, innovative and creative, leadership, bossiness, getting shiz done, etc. So hire me. Teach me how to do that technical thing that I don't know how to do, and I'm your gal. Employee of the year!

My point is, shout out and a big hug and kiss to all the people who have always supported me in my decision to study America (which is mostly everyone), and a big middle finger to all the haterz out there on their high horse telling me to give McDonald's another shot.** DON'T NEED U.

Haven't written a post like this in a while. Feels good. I would like to close my talk with a quote from Beyoncé, Queen of America.

*Not trying to say that you can't be a feminist if you don't have/want a career.
**I have interviewed at McDonald's twice (in desperation during my teenage years) and been turned down both times.

Queen of New York

CJ took an all-expenses-paid trip to New York this week (HOLLA) to like have interviews and network so he can get an internship and job once we graduate! We don't know where we'll end up yet, but New York is definitely a possibility. And even just the smallest chance has got me going craaaayyyy thinking about how exciting it would be to live there! HELLO.

Just kidding. Kind of. But I really am so proud of CJ and happy that he is such a motivated and adventurous guy...life will be so fun with him.

COMPROMETIDOS

Here's the scoop, y'all.

We actually set our wedding date about a month ago because my mom wanted to make sure we could get the venue and photographer we wanted for the reception, etc. etc. I dragged my feet but with a little loving pressure from mama I picked the date. So to me, I was already engaged. It was just the logistical matter of getting the ring and making it official.

My mom offered me her first wedding ring since she got a new one a few Christmases ago and it was pretty much exactly what I had been looking for myself. It was so nice of her to let me have it and I feel really thankful...over the break we took it in to get resized and cleaned and tightened and everything so I brought it to Provo and gave it to CJ when we both got back from school on January 6th. You must know that pretty much every day after that I was expecting to get engaged. I would wake up and think "This is the day!" But it never was...haha. I was so glad he waited a bit longer to do it though because I was completely surprised! After about a week or so of my psycho-ness I started to relax about the whole thing and I wasn't thinking about it and anticipating it as much.

OKAY SO. I was not expecting to get engaged this past weekend AT ALL because CJ was really busy getting his portfolio ready and I thought he would be working on it all weekend. And just based on some other things he told me like "Don't look at my phone for the next few weeks" I thought it would be this week or this upcoming weekend. SILLY ME. So a few days before he proposed CJ told me that his sister Shannon (who we hang out with a lot) didn't have to work on Monday and was wondering if we wanted to do something fun with her and her husband. He told me he didn't know what we were going to do but to just keep my afternoon and evening free. I was really excited for a fun day with Brian and Shannon but I was honestly not suspecting a thing!

Then on Monday afternoon a little before we were supposed to leave, CJ texted me and told me that Shannon had been called into work so she and Brian wouldn't be able to come to Park City with us like we had planned. I was super bummed but he asked if I minded if we just went by ourselves...obviously I didn't mind. So we started heading up to Park City. I have only been a few times, and I thought maybe we were going the wrong way but I didn't know for sure and I didn't want to say anything. Then we got to this place that had some sign about "Sleigh Rides Horseback Riding blah blah blah" and at that point I started to get a little suspicious. CJ was like, "So I know I've been really busy this week so today I have a surprise for you." I basically knew what was going to happen but I also was feeling like maybe I didn't want to get my hopes up if it wasn't going to happen, etc. etc. internal conflict.

I was super bundled up but I decided not to wear a hat. Well, it was too cold to not wear a hat so I just grabbed an extra one that CJ brought in his car. Hence the hat that doesn't match my outfit...haha. Anyway, as soon as I saw the sleigh I pretty much knew that he would propose. I was SO excited I felt like I was in a fairytale. That sounds SO dumb but that really is the only way to describe what I was feeling. We had to sign some papers and I was paying attention to CJ's hand to see if it was shaking with he signed the waiver but it didn't so I guessed that he wasn't very nervous.

We got on the sleigh and our sleigh driver was named Skinner. Oh, Skinner was quite the character...he was talking to us pretty much the ENTIRE TIME! He started off with fun facts about the valley we were in, the hot springs near by, the natural crater, BLAH BLAH BLAH he really would not stop. I could tell CJ was a little put off by the chatter but he was a good sport! I snuck a word in when I could but then I made the mistake of asking Skinner about his life and he just went on and on. He's from Canada, was married for 3 days just to get US citizenship, joined the circus when he was 16, sews custom shirts, and plans to cross the country with 3 mules and a covered wagon visting every hot springs in the US. It will take him 3 and a half years...that's Skinner in a nutshell. Just a few tidbits from his 30 minute ramblings. (I really don't hate Skinner as much as I'm making it sound like I do.)

Back to the good stuff though. As we were coming back around to the beginning of the loop, Skinner stopped the sleigh and finally shut up. The sunset was so beautiful and so I told CJ he should take a picture. (I am such a dummy! He is about to propose and I'm like, hey CJ you should take a picture of the mountains LOLZ) He did, and then Skinner tried to take a picture of CJ and I but he doesn't know how to work an iphone. It didn't seem like a big deal at the time but I really wish he would have been successful at taking a picture! Oh well. So then CJ said the sweetest little speech...I might have cried but my smile was so big that my cheeks were shoving the tears back into my eyes. He got out of the sleigh, got down on one knee and asked me if I would make him the happiest person in the world and marry him.

I was absolutely giddy, and acting like it, too. I nodded. Then I said "Yeah." Then I realized how STUPID that was and then I said "YES. DOUBLE YES." and I realized the double yes thing was stupid pretty much as soon as I said it. I can't be held responsible for my actions though because I was practically not in this world.

Then CJ got back in the sleigh and we were hugging and kissing, Skinner decided to impart some wisdom to us which I did not really care to hear but it seemed kind of charming at the time. Or something like that. Then I whispered to CJ "I want pizza" because that is just the way I am, I suppose. So we get off the sleigh and I scream "I'M ENGAGED!!!" at the people waiting in line for a ride...thanked Skinner, talked to the other guy who was working inside, and then I went to the bathroom. I came out and CJ was like, Okay I found a pizza place in Park City we can go to so let's just head up there. I was like wow could my life get any better now I get to eat PIZZA.

So basically I thought that I picked the restaurant but CJ had another surprise up his sleeve. We got to the restaurant, Maxwell's, and I was like "CJ! Oh my gosh, I have had the pizza here before and it's so good!!" So at this point we were both feeling pretty great. We started walking to our table and we turned the corner and all of our closest friends were there. CJ made arrangements ahead of time for everyone to come to Maxwell's. I was SOOOO surprised!! I was not expecting it one single bit, especially because I thought that I had picked to go there!!! I felt a little silly because I had been texting all of them ever since we left the sleigh ride being like "I just got engaged!" and they were like "OMG NOOOO WAY" but they were actually sitting around together probably laughing at me! I was so happy and I felt so loved that everyone came up for me and CJ. It was perfect. And I got delicious pizza.

We ate dinner together and then some of us headed down to Park City Main Street to look for celebs and just enjoy the sights. We took some pictures too and it was so much fun. I saw Ben Savage (Corey Matthews from Boy Meets World) so that was my celebrity sighting for the night. So basically D-list celeb..haha.

I really do feel like the happiest, luckiest girl to be marrying CJ. We have had so much fun over the past year first as friends and then as lovers and I am so so so so so thankful to God for guiding me to make the decisions that led me to CJ. (seriously) (that's another story though). Thrilled to spend the rest of my life with him!

The guy taking the photo made me do this hand thing and I really didn't want to but I wasn't going to be like "NO."

(not all friends who came pictured here)

May 24th, Columbia River Temple. See you there!

The end of an era

Just kidding. It's only the end of the semester, but for some reason people are acting like it's the end of the world and being all weird.

"WHERE DID THE SEMESTER GO? HOW CAN THIS BE HAPPENING :("
"Last Fall semester before I graduate :(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( TEARZ"
"OMG no...it can't be the end of the semester......:_("

This is how I feel:

-My brain is totally fried. It's actually, like, scrambled to bits. And I still have 3 tests and a presentation next week. HA.

-Christmas is making me low on funds. My biggest weaknesses as far as spending goes are gifts and baking treats and we all know Christmas is high-time for both of those things! Not to mention all the bridal showers I've been going to...eesh kapeesh. OHHH and then there's this thing called winter break where I don't work for a month. HAHAHAHA bye money.

-This semester did not feel short. It was about 4 months long. And it feels like it's been 4 months.

-My roommates have been going absolutely bonkers decorating for Christmas and I just feel like "MEH" about the whole thing. I care that Jesus was born and I like sparkly things but other than that...don't care.

-Since I am almost done with college I have been pretty retrospective and I figured out that I am like way different than I was when I first got to school. For example, feminism. I have also realized how not different I am. For example, partying when I should be studying. For another example, not patient. For another example, still love pizza so much.

-Diet coke is the lifeblood pumping through my veins. I feel fine about it.

-I can't wait to go to California next weekend and be with my one true love.......SPRINKLES.

(JUST KIDDING. I meant CJ. LOL.)

50 things about me at age 21

 Got this idea from my dear friend Jaimie.

1. "i no longer believed in the idea of soul mates, or love at first sight. but i was beginning to believe that very few times in your life, if you were lucky, you might meet someone who was exactly right for you. not because he was perfect, or because you were, but because your combined flaws were arranged in a way that allowed two separate beings to hinge together."

2. I actually love California after spending a lifetime thinking it was world's worst.

3. I eat out all. the. time.

4. Cracked an egg in my Ramen for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it changed my life.

5. CJ and I have been reading the Book of Mormon together and it is always one of the best parts of my day.

6. God has been more gracious to me than I could have ever imagined.

7. I am losing steam in school. I don't like it.

8. I'm not as excited for Christmas as I usually am.

9. Diet Coke, I just can't quit you.

10. I tried Weight Watchers for about 2 months but it just wasn't very fun. SEE YA.

11. I am convinced that Heavenly Father has sent this beautiful weather just for me because He knows my life is hard right now and He knows the sun makes me happy.

12. Politics=suck. I would like to thank the USA for making me world's most optimistic cynic.

13. My best friend is leaving on her mission and I don't know what I will do.

14. I don't care much about what most people think of me.

15. The people whose opinions of me mean the most are my parents, CJ, and McKay.

16. I am sick of people asking me if I am going on a mission. Have you met my boyfriend? Hello.

17. I don't have a smart phone. Well, I did for one day and then I took it back.

18. I LOVE Twitter.

19. I cry a lot. Out of sadness, happiness, gratitude, and sometimes for no reason.

20. My favorite part of music is when a song has clapping in it.

21. I have mostly stopped biting/peeling my nails.

22. I don't love my tiny fat hands but I like them more when my nails are long and painted.

23. I hate taking showers. 

24. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

25. I am obsessed with X Factor. It's stupid.

26. One of my favorite things to do is replace song lyrics while singing along to the radio.

27. My body wakes itself up every morning before my alarm.

28. I have a Costco card thanks to my Mom.

29. I would do anything to live closer to my family.

30. I wish I had unlimited funds for Christmas gifts. Buying things for the people I love is my favorite.

31. Pinterest is boring.

32. I love shrimp and it doesn't make me sick anymore.

33. I think I was Brazilian in a past life.

34. I love writing in my journal.

35. CJ's iPhone is the best.

36. Some of my favorite music ever has come out in the past year.

37. I don't know what to do about my hair. It's a situation.

38. I want a baby but I mostly just want someone to hang out with 24/7 because I hate being alone.

39. King Henry apartment 62 will always hold a special place in my heart. It made a woman out of me.

40. Terrified of all things involving sex and childbirth and bodies.

41. My boyfriend is one of the best people I have ever known and one of my favorites.

42. If I had my way I would have a huge garden and I would cook and dance around my kitchen all day.

43. Pretty sure I haven't been grocery shopping in at least two weeks.

44. I still hate Halloween.

45. I will be really sad when I have to move away from my best friends. Maybe the only thing I will miss about Provo.

46. I love doing yoga.

47. My family is the number one force for good in my life.

48. I am sick of working at Independent Study.

49. Going to Spain was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I made wonderful true friends and found the love of my life.

50. I think that I don't really like concerts.

This week in my classes I...

-read love poems in two languages.

-sang/listened to Colors of the Wind, Tonight Tonight, and Rollin' in the Deep.

-learned how to count syllables in Spanish poetry.

-debated whether baseball or football is America's pasttime.

-wrote a paper about chicken and waffles.

-drew a map of the United States with characteristics of each region.

-deconsructed and gramatically diagrammed sentences in Spanish.

American Studies is what we like to call...interdisciplinary.

Thoughts for a Tuesday

Working in customer service makes me never want to be rude to another customer service person ever again. Because there are people I talk to who make me want to CRY and there are also people who make my day when they call. So I guess given the opportunity I would rather make someone's day than ruin it.

I am not excited for school to start because I h8 homework.

I am excited for school to start because:
I get to see my friends.
CJ is coming back! And I will get to see him/talk to him most days! (revolutionary)
Taking a class with Trent Hickman is always a good idea.
Spanish!
Football!
No more working full-time. Hallelujah!
I will be on the Humanities Student Council with Abby.
SENIOR YEAR!

You may be wondering, "Caitlin, what ever shall you do when you graduate???" My answer: I don't know but I would love to move somewhere cool that's not Provo or Richland. Obviously hoping that over the course of this school year my dream job will present itself with a big pretty bow on top.

I am obsessed with Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain. I want ALL OF THEM. My favorite of the three I have is Smitten. It's really bright.

My parents are here to drop off McClickey for school! Last night McKay said "I can't handle Caitlin!" and he has only been here for 3 days...oops. GET USED TO IT, BRO.

There is a macaron cart in the Riverwoods now...see you guys in the next life.

Just spoke to Tagg Romney on the phone. In other words, I am pretty much famous!

I have been getting rid of stuff left and right as I'm getting ready for fall semester to start which is honestly UNTHINKABLE for me because I am a hoarder beyond repair. Guess I am putting away childish things or something like that. (Literally. Threw away my Justin Bieber poster.)

Time to kiss the best/worst summer of my life goodbye!

Circa Charlotte's mission call 2011
Remember how tan I got last summer? I think I am even paler right now than I am in the middle of winter. Guess that's what happens when you work in a dingy office all day every day and never see the sun. Let's actually not even talk about it or I'll just be mad. Snow white.

Good things that make me happy

Beyonce.
Friends.
Sweets.
Fireworks.
Jem. (Jef+Emily)
Yoga.
Getting my hair done.
Missionaries.
Hikes.
Phones.
The beach.
Diet coke. (quit)

This.

So because I haven't seen CJ since Spain and a lot of my friends/family have yet to meet him, people are always asking me, "What is your relationship with CJ like? I have never seen you guys together!" Well, this is pretty much it...





SEE YA.

Or do you not think so far ahead? Cause I been thinking 'bout forever...

I have to have things to look forward to or I will go absolutely insane. Also, the title of this post is from Frank Ocean. Listen to his new album (explicit), or at least his single (not explicit).

tonight: Batman with my friends! I don't really care that much about seeing the movie, but I can pretty much never pass up a midnight showing. My roommates and I have been to every Twilight and Harry Potter premiere since we got to college. It's a tradition!

friday: Driving Sam to the airport. I should honestly open a business for driving people to/picking people up from the airport...I have already been 4 times in the past month! The weird thing is I actually love doing it. You get to drive one way by yourself and enjoy solitude on the freeway, and the other way you get to talk to someone you like about their trip or anything else you want. It's a lot of fun. If you ever need a ride to the airport...hit me up.

sunday: BACHELORETTE FINALE. Hate on it all you want, but this season of the Bachelorette has honestly been one of main things that has gotten me through my first month of post-Spain life! I lovoovovovoovovoeeeeee Jef and I think **SPOILER ALERT** that she chooses him because of things that I have heard from reliable sources..but the previews for the episode make it look super dramatic and like I don't know what's going to happen even though I probably do.

 

tuesday, 24: Pioneer Day! Pioneer Day is like another 4th of July here in Utah. I used to think it was totally ridiculous but I love having the day off and what's not to like about barbecues and fireworks? Also picking Sam up from the airport.

thursday, 26: CJ goes back to California. No more trips! Hooray! (Since we left Spain he's been to Portugal, Morocco, New York City, the Bahamas, New Orleans, and Florida. Yeah.)

saturday, 28: Hair appointment! I am excited because I finally found a girl I like here in Provo. She doesn't talk too much, does a great job, and she gives me a diet coke. But I just remembered that I'm quitting for good. This Saturday. Going to jump out the window now k see ya bye.

thursday, 8: Flying to California! I can't believe it's still three weeks away because I feel like I have been waiting FOREVER for this trip. CJ is from Corona (near Orange County and LA) so I am going to visit him and meet his family. The only place I have ever been in California is Disneyland so I am really excited! I am dying to go to Sprinkles Cupcakes because I feel like it's Mecca for cupcake lovers, but mostly I'm just delighted to be with CJ since I haven't seen him in so long. And I love visiting new places. 

What are your favorite things to do/eat in Southern California?

beware the brides of march

I think the reason I don't blog as much anymore is because not as many things annoy me now. (I used to rant a lot) So are there less annoying people in the world or am I just a better person with a more positive attitude? (THE SECOND ONE.)

I think I am going to graduate sometime around next April so...who knows what that means. But I am really excited to go to Spain in one month! My ticket has been purchased and I bought a pretty summery dress so I'm pretty much totally ready. Honestly though if I could have one wish it would be to speak perfect Spanish with a pretty accent so I am glad to be one step closer.

It's only been two and a half months but this year has been crazy and amazing already. I honestly can't believe how much I have learned and experienced since the beginning of the semester...it feels like it's been forever and I am finally starting to feel a smidge of adulthood coming on.

AND NOW FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE...

Valentine's day.

I cannot jump in jumping pictures. I am on the ground in every single one.

Classic sk8ing 80's night. OBVI. (There are no pictures of actual skating because I fell on my bum and broke both my ankles I'm pretty sure.)

This was back when I was in lurve so that's why I look so crazy and starstruck and loony all the time.

Leterally my best friends in the entire whole wide world.

A bone to pick

I really like pinterest. I think it is an awesome place to share ideas, quotes, and photos. I have tried a few recipes from pinterest, and they have been hit and miss. I made boot socks based on an idea from pinterest and I really love them. I don't typically spend a ton of time on it for whatever reason...I guess there are other social networks that appeal to me more.

That being said, I am becoming more and more deterred because of some of the "pins" that are becoming increasingly popular on the site. Obviously, this is not pinterest's fault. Pinterest presents a forum where people can pin as the please, and the things that get repinned over and over again are not a reflection of the institution of pinterest; rather, they are a reflection of the pinners and, I would argue, society.

I absolutely have NO tolerance for ridiculous pins that are outrageously didactic in warping perceptions of body image and physical fitness. Pictures of ridiculously skinny girls, or super ripped girls with 500 pack abs, in sports bras and underwear, or even less clothing than that, with words in the foreground that say things like:

"Looking at this picture won't make you any skinnier. 50 push-ups. Now."
You should know that the girl in this picture was a supermodel. Absolutely RAIL thin, with her ribs on full display. That is not what I want to look like, that is not what women should aspire to look like, and that is not healthy. I guarantee the girl in the picture cannot do 50 push-ups because her body is so deprived!

"A mile a day keeps the pounds away."
Seriously? Once again, a rail thin girl with a belly ring (ew) and her hipbones jutting out. As if running a mile will make you look like that. It probably won't. Some people would have to stop eating altogether and exercise for hours on end every day to look like that. AND some people can eat whatever they want all the time and not exercise and still be skinny. It's called genetics and metabolism, people.

"Would you rather have that cookie or a space between your thighs?"
I was born with my thighs touching and I will die with my thighs touching. Regardless of any diet or exercise regimen. That's the gospel truth, ya'll. And I'm going to eat the cookie.

"Motivation!"
This picture of a female body builder in a string bikini is only motivating me to punch the computer screen and scream.

"Greasy fries or skinny thighs?"
Like I said before, even if I swore off fries for the rest of my mortal life, I would not have skinny thighs. I don't have skinny thighs. I don't want skinny thighs. Since when have skinny thighs become synonymous with great/beautiful thighs? That's what I want to know. That is stupid. I would just like to refer you to Beyonce Knowles, the most beautiful woman on the planet.

I think one of the biggest problems we're facing here is that this is having a huge effect on young girls. They want to be skinnier. My friend Amanda told me that one day she saw her younger sister, who is ten, running around the yard. She asked her why she was running, and her little sister replied, "I ate a piece of cake." A perfectly healthy young girl ate one piece of cake and felt that she needed to run around her yard so she wouldn't get fat. When I was in Russia, I was at the park across the street from our house and I heard a little girl who was not fat by any means say to her friend that she wishes that she wasn't so fat. And she started going on and on about how fat she was and how she can pinch the fat on her belly. I wanted to walk over to her and shake her by the shoulders and say "You are pretty and you do not need to be skinnier!" Super upsetting, and it's only getting worse.

I will admit that I'm not the healthiest person ever. I could be doing better at a lot of things and there are some great ideas on pinterest about eating healthy and exercising often. Please don't get me wrong, I am all for fitness and being healthy. But when I was training for a half marathon, I will tell you that the greatest changes in my life were in my moods and my attitude, not in my weight or figure. When I was running, it made me so happy and energized. I felt great about myself, not because my thighs weren't touching and all that crap (they were still touching), but because I could do hard things and my body was capable of so much more than I ever thought possible. Yes, I was in better shape. My belly was smaller, my arms looked better, et cetera. But did I look like any of the girls in those pictures? Heavens, no. I actually felt a little ripped off. I couldn't understand why I wasn't getting super skinny, even after running 6-12 miles four times a week, because my whole life I have been led to believe that if you run enough, you'll look like a supermodel. For me, that turned out to not be true. Society and popular culture set up me up with certain expectations, and even through very very hard work, those expectations were not met. Fortunately I didn't become bulimic or anything like that, but that happens to a lot of people: when their expectations aren't met after taking action in a healthy way, they resort to more extreme measures. So instead of trying to tell people how they can look like someone else, why don't we promote self-confidence? Instead of trying to "fix" people with crazy diets and pills and what have you, why don't we encourage people to be their best selves and love it, regardless of how they measure up to others?

The point is, I think as a society we must start being more concerned with the space between a woman's ears than the space between her thighs. And I will now proceed to stuff myself with delicious free dinner and dessert at my ward Christmas party. Put that beat in your Nissan truck.

Thanks a million!

So I'm going to hop on the bandwagon and blog about something I am thankful for every day until Thanksgiving. There are a few reasons for this.

1. People keep accusing me of "skipping" Thanksgiving. Don't really know what that means, but it is probably a reference to the Christmas decorations that are all over my apartment. For heaven's sake, the last thing I want to do is skip Thanksgiving. It is probably my favorite holiday!

2. To make myself blog. This may sound silly to you but I love looking back at my blog and reading about my ride on this eternal emotional rollercoaster. And when I don't blog, I don't have much to look back on. Besides twitter, but that's not as comprehensive.

3. I whine/feel sorry for myself/get upset a lot and maybe having to think of things I am thankful for will cure the whining. Usually doesn't work (see also my grateful journal and other such ventures), but I think I'll just GIVE IT A WHIRL.

I am thankful for my FRIENDS.

Soooo cliche, I know. But this year has been so off-the-chain in the friends department, I just can't not say it.

Through a series of events, I ended up living at Liberty Square for spring and summer this year, and at first I was so bummed. I just wanted to live with Abby, Kenzie, and Hil and I was 90% convinced that my life would be 100% miserable without them. Fortunately, this was not the case. I ended up spending one of the best summers of my life with Jodi and Kara as my roommates in a ward of less than 50 people. It was so much fun and I love those girls to death! Not to mention, I now get to be a part of Kara and Skyler's wedding as a bridesmaid and life as a live-in nanny (please?). I am so so happy for them. I love them and I hope that one day I can be as awesome and in love as they are. And live in Texas. And if I can't live in their house, maybe I can be their neighbor?

Then I moved to King Henry and I live with Abby, Kenz, and V again. They are the blood that runs through my veins. I am being VERY dramatic, but you get the picture.

Obviously, Abby has been my best friend for two years and at this point our lives (hers, mostly) are starting to get really exciting and scary and crazy and we are both planning our futures and making decisions and I am supes totes grateful that she is in my life and that we sleep in the same room.

Kenzie is like my big sister. We spend many mornings together and I am currently living my love life vicariously through her, by which I mean dreaming about her wedding. She really is the best and she planned the coolest date ever last night. THE coolest. She is the rock for all of us: totally stable while the rest of us run around like crazy people not knowing what the h is going on.

When I first met Veronica I could not believe that I had just been one-upped in sassiness. She is so sassy and honest and hilarious, but nothing makes my day more than when I am just walking around the house and Veronica walks up to me and gives me a hug. She is secretly a sweetie.

Baylie is one of our new roommates and she makes me laugh really hard every single day. She grew up on a farm (and she hates when I bring that up) and she is super blunt and gorgeous and crazy and I love her. I love living with her and hanging out with her and listening to dubstep with her and making fun of her in the most loving way possible.

Katie AKA Titi is another one of my new friends/roommatesish and she is in Noteworthy with Kenz. She is my number one supporter in "Six Weeks to Sexy" which should really called "Six Weeks of Sammy's Shakes and other Sweets." Combined, we probably know every random song you have ever heard, including School House Rock, obscure 90's bubblegum pop (Cleopatra comin' atcha), songs from your elementary school music class, and commercial jingles.

Hilary was my roommate last year and I just love that girl! She is cute and smart and I love when she gets really excited or embarassed or mad and blushes a lot. I really like talking to her about life and everything because we always have great conversations.

And last but never, ever least is Amy Faust. Amy has been one of my close friends at college since I met her through Abby during freshman year. If I could quote Mary Poppins, I would call Amy "practically perfect in every way." Seriously. This girl can do it all and she always has my back. And she is super cute at all times and in all things and in all places. That's the Amy Faust motto.

Because I almost always have like one or two best friends I can't remember a time when I had a big group of girlfiends like in the movies. You know what I'm talking about? Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Now and Then, Steel Magolias...BUT NOW I DO! We watch movies and stuff ourselves and go to Sammy's and laugh and cry and dance and do each other's hair and makeup (thanks, Bay) and make dinner together and we are BEST. FRIENDS. FOREVAAAA.

Oh, and I also have boy friends (boyfriends? bo yfriends?) and they are cool.

Halloween 2011. Mckay, Kenz, Michael, Trevor, Bay, Me, Katie the Kitty.

Very beginning of this year...one of our first Sammy's nights! Hil, Bay, Natalie, and moi.

Mega-date party at Kenz's. This was just a few days ago and soooo fun and these are pretty much all of my friends. Almost.

At Paul's homecoming talk on October 23rd.

Cornbelly's when Noteworthy performed. October 22nd. Kenz, Bay, Me, V, Katie. LOVE!

All I want for Christmas is for Halloween to be over.

It's Halloween and all I can think about is how I am going to decorate the apartment for Christmas...tonight at midnight...wait, I know what you're thinking. It's one of two things.
Either:
-"OMG, me too!"
or
-"HOW COULD YOU HOW DARE YOU DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS BEFORE THANKSGIVING/DECEMBER 1ST/DECEMBER 25TH/(insert other ridiculous date here) YOU ARE RUINING CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!! WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS!"

I am not being dramatic, either. In the past few weeks I have found that this issue of decorating for Christmas and/or listening to Christmas music is VERY polarizing. In fact, one of my roommates threatened to move out if we decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving, which we absolutely doing, so we'll see if she follows through with that. If you follow me and twitter (@cmacmitch) or if you have the privilege of talking to me on a regular basis, you know I am not the most gung-ho person about Halloween. I like dressing up, I love candy, and I love Hilary Norton, but for the most part I am unenthused. I hate scary movies, haunted houses/mazes/mental hospitals/boats/car washes, teenagers on Halloween, and I especially hate Halloween movies and songs. Creepy and tacky.

Maybe one day when I can make costumes for my children and dress them up hilariously, I will like Halloween a little more. But I have a funny feeling that that will just stress me out and make me feel annoyed. On the bright side, LOOK AT THESE BABIES.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

JR, Sean Kingston.

I tried to call my mom like six times last night (over a period of about 4 hours) and each time it went straight to her answering machine. So I texted her, and then I texted my dad...no response...so I called McKay, no answer. Then I called my dad, no answer. At this point the thought had crossed my mind that my entire family was in some sort of crisis and I was coming to the end of my wits. So I called Carter, my 13-year-old brother who I knew would be asleep (it was 10:30 in Washington) as a last resort. 50 rings later I was getting closer and closer to tears, and Carter picked up. And it turns out everything was fine, my mom's phone was just charging and everyone else was away from their phones and blah blah blah.

Anyway, I ended up talking to my mom and the topic of my blog came up. And both of my parents were pretty disappointed that I haven't blogged in so long (hi, dad), which I completely understand. I hate when people don't blog for like a month. Like, how am I supposed to stalk your life if you don't blog?!?!? Well, I am that person. That person that I hate. Sorry.

And I said, "MOOOOMMMM, I don't have ANYTHING to blog about."

But I guess I kind of do.

I quit my job at Zupas, and I work at BYU Independent Study now and it's reeeeallly fun. I'm actually at work right now..heh heh.

I moved into my new apartment at King Henry and there are SoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO maNy cUtE bOiZ (hi, dad). And also I have two new roommates, Baylie and Bella, and I like them both very much. Baylie grew up on a farm and she is supes totes blunt and hilarious, and Bella is from Atlanta and is as southern as the day is long.

School may just kill me this time around. Most of my classes, actually all of them, are pretty easy but I have A LOT to read. A lot. Plus, with work and everything there's just not very much time for me to sit down and read 7 long, boring books about the American Revolution. Hate to break it to you, prof.

The good news is that University of North Carolina has the number one library science program in the United States (they actually are tied with University of Illinois). Helllooooo, graduate school and my life dream of living in North Carolina. WHAMMY KABLAMMY. Oh, PS, I'm going to be a librarian. If you didn't already infer that.

Sammy's is my one true love. SAAAAMMMMMMY'S.

I'm auditioning for Divine Comedy tonight so wish me luck!

Today I was driving home from slip-n-sliding at Rock Canyon Park and there were 4 boys in my car and a quail walked in front of my car and I SLAMMED on the brakes and put my hands in a prayer and said "OH PLEASE, HEAVENLY FATHER!" And I didn't hit the quail. And...all the boys laughed at me.

WHAMMY.

This might sound like Beyonce calling Shakira black, but...

So for roughly the past...2? ish? hours, Abby and I have been joyriding around P-town in her brother's car up to no good. Here are some things we sawr.

The fun started when we decided to shout "HEEEEYYYYYY" out the window at people we saw.

Then these two boys pulled up next to us at a stoplight, motioned for me to roll down the window, etc etc etc..we drove away.

Then I tried to call BYU info but somehow ended up on the Girls Gone Wild hotline which...is only one digit off from the number for BYU info. Huh. When we finally reached BYU info, they were closed. We just wanted to know the address of our friend!

We found Caleb's scooter and tried to steal it but instead we just left him notes in his cupholder. Trying to be stealth with the windows down....is hard.

Then we drove around forever and ever and drove by Brandon Davies' house.

Then I made some comment about how our night had already reached its climax but right at that moment we saw a couple tumbling around in the grass and Abby said, not loud enough for them to hear, "FOUR ON THE FLOOR!"

Then we thought this guy was serenading this girl because you know she was sitting in her bedroom window and looking down at this guy and he was like standing there on her lawn and so we went and flipped a Uwey...U-ey? and Abby just looks right at the guy and says "SING!" and it was basically a staredown for like a whole minute until we drove away. I don't think he had any idea what we were getting at.

Then we suspected that this running parked car in a BYU lot next to campus was people making out and we were right. Unabashed. Shameless. Drivers seat leaned back all the way type of thing. So we honked a million times in morse code saying, "REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE."

The reason we were in the parking lot was to turn around because we saw a young man doing kung fu in an underground parking garage so we went back to watch him. And I said, "Hey, are you doing Kung Fu?" And he said, "Yeah. Sorry, I thought you guys were trying to park in here." "Nope, we just wanted to watch you!" "Okay!" Then he did a whole routine and I was trying really hard not to laugh and Abby and I were muttering and giggling under our breath. He is the dragon warrior.

And then we drove by the hot and heavy couple once more. Just for good measure.

And that was all. I think.

Then I came home, put my hair in a bun but left one piece out on purpose, set up my bed on the couch, and ate a fun size Take 5.

And now, I am ready to sleep.

Goodnight, beautiful world.

6/11/11 13.1 2:44:01 143

Here's the deal. I gotta blog about this before I forget all the lovely details.

I woke up this morning at 3:20 feelin' like P.Diddy. I probably fell asleep around 10 (I couldn't sleep forever) so I felt pretty great. Plus, I was really excited so tiredness was a non-issue. The one problem was I usually poop (sorry...running is graphic) every morning before my run, and when I don't I get what I like to call runner's bum where a few miles into my run I need to go now. Anyway, that was a big concern. I got all my stuff and left the house around 3:40 or so and drove to park my car so that I could get on the shuttle to the starting line. I met two moms who became my pre-race friends and we chatted on the bus. I ate a banana and drank some water. As we were riding up to the start I saw how long the race was and the bus ride felt so long that I got pretty scared...and I noticed a few hills that I was not anticipating. But I was still really stoked. I tried to force myself to poop like three different times, to no avail. Stretched a little, ate my chomps, got my ipod all situated, put my bag in the big yellow truck, and headed over to the start where one of the moms was really good at getting me excited and inspired and shiz.

I knew that adrenaline was taking over my body, so I planned ahead for that and kept things under control and started at my normal pace. The race...was crazy. I couldn't really tell if I was falling behind or passing people but there were people I saw several times throughout the whole thing and I think my pace was pretty consistent. Usually I start out pretty slow and pick it up in the middle, which is what happened today. But then towards the end of the race I started to go really slow. It bugged me a little that it took me so long to finish (2 hrs 44 min and 1 sec) because I am so competitive and I wanted to do it in like ten minute miles so like 2:20:00. I realized while I was running though that to me, time didn't matter so much...I wanted to run the whole way: walking was not an option for me. I have never talked to myself so much in my life. Not out loud, but just in my mind.

Walking is not an option.

The second you start walking, you fail.

YOU DID NOT COME HERE TO WALK. YOU CAME TO RUN.

It would be ridiculous for you to start walking right now. You're halfway done. Easy.

You need to be able to tell dad that you ran the whole way.

The past 6 months will have been a waste of time if you walk.

You already made the decision to run the whole way. It's not your choice now.

If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. D&C 38:30

Run and not be weary. D&C 89:20

If you start walking right now, you're not allowed to go out tonight and you're not allowed to take a nap or get a pedicure.

This is not even close to the hardest thing you will have to do in your life, so you had better just get over it right now.

And things like that. I said positive things to myself too...haha. I just don't remember them, plus I think they were pretty generic. "You can do it!" and "Jimmer will marry you!"...stuff like that.

I just had to take things 1 mile at a time, that's the only way I got through it. And I have never been so happy to see port-a-potties in my life. Not that I used any of them, but seeing them meant that I had gone 2 miles since the last time I saw them. I tried to be consistent with my water but I kept losing track of it but I stayed pretty hydrated. At the first aid station I accidentally grabbed a cup of Powerade and I thought I was going to throw up. Water only for me, please. I ate chomps at the beginning and at mile 4, but at mile 8 I only ate 2. I could barely stomach them. I burped a ton but I never particularly felt like I was going to throw up.

Once I got out of the canyon, which was like the second half of the race, it got really sunny and hot and long and terrible. At about mile 9 I think, the first place marathoner passed me and I wasn't even mad. He was amazing. This is also the point when my feet started to fall asleep. Out of everything, my feet hurt the most. There was this one lady holding a bunch of signs and one of them said "Got toenails?" and that was when I noticed my toenails...and it was annoying. I didn't know it was possible but my toenails are super sore right now. And I have one blister but I didn't notice it and it doesn't hurt or anything. Once I got to mile 12 I could see the finish line but a minute or so later it was like it got farther away. The last mile was by far the hardest part of the race. I really just wanted to give up, but I also really didn't want to. Running really is battle between your mind and your body and it is a weird feeling.

At about the last .2 miles I turned off my music so I could hear the cheers. That's the best part. I saw my friends waiting for me and cheering me on right by the finish line and I was so happy to see them. There is honestly no better feeling than crossing that finish line. Best feeling in the world. I felt amazing...I can't really describe it.

Then I said a bunch of weird stuff and had water, oranges, pizza, chocolate milk, and a banana creamie. Then when Canyon was driving my car home he had his hand out the window and a bird pooped on his hand and it got inside the car. I think he was mad but we were both cracking up.

Got home, took a bath and a shower, took a nap, watched Friday Night Lights, ate Cafe Rio. Probably going to take another nap. BEST DAY EVER!

Playlist:

Superbass

P.Y.T.

Don't Wanna Go Home

Let Me Take You Out

You Lie

Till the World Ends

Next 2 You

Pursuit of Happiness

Hello

Power

Who Says

The Edge of Glory

Friday

Give Me Everything

Who's That Chick

You Belong With Me

Wonderman

Party in the USA

ET

A Year Without Rain

Baby

Best Days of Your Life

Champion

Like 'Em All

Never Say Never

Dog Days Are Over

Rolling in the Deep

Heart of a Lion

Turning Tables

Up Up & Away

Firework

I just came to say hello

My brain hurts.

I was just trying to read 71toes and I couldn't because every time I tried to read the words I would get this terrible feeling like my brain was going to explode and my stomach was going to barf.

There are probably a few reasons why this is happening.

1) I just wrote a summary of a Madison note for my constitutional research class. Have you ever read a Madison note? Hmmmmm? Anyway, it was hard.

2) I have to teach Relief Society on Sunday and I'm not really stressed out or nervous or anything I just...am exhausted. And I am like obsessed with finding THE BEST quotes and THE BEST scriptures to use.

3) The Zupas honeymoon is officially over. Saturday was my first day of work and I got the fast and friendly award and everything was great my manager was pulling pranks on me and I fell in love with my co-worker. But today none of my friends were there and Anthony, my manager, is taking the week off and this other manager named Ben is here and he's kind of lame and Saturday must have been really slow because the rush was INSANE today. Yeesh. And now when I take naps all I think about is scooping the toppings on the salads. 'Cause that's muh jorb.

So, that's three. And I think that's enough. I kind of just want to go to bed because I think an ant farm has taken the place of my brain.

And also, it stresses me out to listen to my roommates talk about their boyfriend problems. Thank heavens that boys don't have any interest in me. And also I was thinking today that if a guy I really really would love to marry were to walk up to me right now and say WILL YOU MARRY ME? I don't think I would say yes. So. Just wrap your brain around that one. I'm the next Sheri Dew, ya'll. Whatevs. I like myself and people I like like me so it's all good.