Brand New Concert

I have the sweetest job! Friday night I got hooked up with free tickets to the Brand New Concert at the Salt Palace Convention Center. Thanks to my boss Jed. Manchester Orchestra played before them and they are amazing too. There were tons of people and we were like in the mosh pit of it all. It was insane but fun! To be honest I think it is kinda hard to understand Brand New live... but I have a few links at the bottom of my favorite songs. Sabrina had fun with her friends and Ryan did too. Joni and Dave were able to come but I didnt see them. My favorite part was probably hearing Matt scream and sing along to all the songs. He has an amazing voice- I LOVE HIM! We forgot to take pictures. Dang. After about 3 hours of standing on my tippy toes and being sandwiched between tons of people Matt and I got waters and decided we are getting old haha so we sat on the chairs in the back for the last hour. It was a great time.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5CodPJZXO8

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMJIc9USE2U&feature=related

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCrgIDXVL-w

www.youtube.com/watch?v=85wCHcpVWcg

The Bachelor

Jake is a hottie right?? Now there are just 5 girls left to win his love. I sometimes feel like a loser when I watch this show but honestly I love it! Tenley is probably my favorite. She is so genuine and happy all the time. She doesnt talk crap about the other girls and she is so excited to spend time with Jake. They are both naturally drawn to each other and make a cute couple.

Ali is almost tied as my favorite. I really like her. From week 1 she was my favorite. She and Jake have a blast together and she really seems like his type. They have a good chemistry and lots of similarities. I dont like how she talks about Vienna right there at the rose ceremony when she can most likely hear her. She is being extreme- she needs to remember she's there for Jake not to get rid of Vienna. I hope she remembers that.

Gia is so cute! She is gorgeous and has more to her than just looks. She is refreshing for Jake because she is from the city and different. She gets so excited to see stars, ride in an RV and make a fire.

Vienna and Jake have a fun time together but she really is a witch. Why would you come on The Bachelor if you want the guy to yourself and arent going to have a good time because you think everyone is jealous of you. She is self centered and high maintenance. I almost think he was paid to keep her around for more drama but I dont know- he has a good heart and did send 4 other girls home because he didnt see a future with them. I hope he doesnt want Vienna to be the mother of his children, his wife or to have any friends. I hope she goes home. But she is pretty.

Who do you think will win? What do you think about these girls and this show?

Growing Up...

I realized I was growing up when....

• I had to decide what kind of insurance I wanted (boring...but I'm blessed to have a job and benefits!)
• Like a 1/3 of my paycheck seems to go to taxes
• 6:30 AM is when I wake up instead of go to bed
• Wearing business attire goes from every Monday for Alpha Phi to every day at the office
• I have to be punctual, not becuase I'll be in trouble but I would miss Trax, miss a meeting or an important client
• I'm excited to go to bed becuase I'm so exahusted
• I wake up without an alarm on weekends
• I wake myself up in the morning (no this is a lie...Sabrina and David still have to make me get out of bed sometimes)
• the missionaries that you always thought were attractive look so young
• and the boys passing the sacrament look like babies
• your friends start getting married and even weirder when they're having babies
• You get to go on lunch dates (Melinda, Mikell, Kenzie and I went to lunch at Olive Garden the other day and it was so fun- Lets do it again. Great break from work)
• Connect with coworkers over TV shows
• I deleted my facebook and dont even miss it (now that I know I can live without it maybe I'll get it again to keep in touch with people)

Life is great! But seriously...I wanna be a kid forever. I still peel my string cheese when I eat it, cry when I'm stressed (and sometimes just to cry), sleep with my dalmation blanket, get really really excited and act like a 5 year old, my mom still packs my lunch and I love playing at parks. Although...I do wanna get married to my lover that makes me laugh and so happy every single day. So I guess I'm growing up and there's no going back.

living at home...

I didnt think I would ever live at home again after I graduated college but really its not so bad. I share a room with Sabrina and she is one of my best friends and a great sister!

My parents are the best! Mom makes me and Matt a lunch everyday when she makes lunches for Sab, David and Marcus. Dad doesnt make me pay for rent or food. I am SO grateful so I can save up some money to get married to Matt and live on our own.Its SO fun living close to my nieces and nephews! They are adorable and grow fast.

David and his new girlfriend...

haha...jk but Marcus and David did such a great job with their snowman. It was actually funny- on Monday I had work off and got to sleep in. I woke up to Marcus running back in the house yelling, "Okay I did it!" David asked "did what?" Marcus- "Rolled a snowball around the whole block for the bottom of the snowman!" "No way, is it huge?" "Yes come and see!" I knew it would be something awesome. and it is!

Since Monday was a holiday we did a family activity and went bowling!

Mom was the winner! And David was too (with bumpers haha)

david, sab, shar

Chivalry isnt dead

It is good to know that chivalry isnt dead. The other day on traxx it was really full and a few men stood up and gave their seats to women. It made me smile to know that there are gentleman out there. I got lucky and have the best gentleman in the world! Matt is so sweet. He always opens the door for me, pulls out my chair, drives me to work, kisses me, takes me out on dates, makes ordinary things fun, listens to me talk for hours, holds my hand and tells me I look beautiful. I love him!

Fun dates we've been on recently: 3D movie at the Planetarium, Jazz game and movies.

At the planetarium we watched an awesome documentary on the moon. Did you know 12 people have been to the moon?? Its great. Watching it made me realize that truly anything is possible!

We went to a Jazz game and got Skybox tickets to eat dinner and watch the game with X96 radio hosts and fans. The food was delish, seats ok, Jazz won, Jazz bears birthday and we had a blast. These pics are kinda blurry cuz i took them on my phone and it wasnt great lighting.

Movies. We love movies. We have seen and LoVeD Blindside and Avatar (in 3D). They are 2 of the best movies I have seen in a long time. We saw Lovely Bones and it was pretty creepy and out there weird!

Sometimes life gets hard and throws you curve balls that you dont expect but I guess thats when we are tested. We show we can do it when we react well and make the best of every situation. Here is a good saying I found:

I love you Matthew!

SBO Christmas Dinner

I know this post is late...but it is so fun to keep in touch with old friends. Last month I went to dinner with the 7 of us that were officers our senior year in high school. It is good to be reunited again. Nick and Adam are back from their missions, Nick is dating Heather and might be the first to get married, I graduated and got engaged, Marielle went to Italy, got her real estate license and is just about done with estitition school, Katie, Whitney and Jenny are going to school and working.

How to become a Morning Person

I am so excited to have my job and have a full-time job I love with awesome people. But when I have to wake up before 7 am everyday it is tough. So if you are like me and need help waking up in the morning here are some tips that I read in a few articles in case you are not naturally an early-riser:

I think the best advice I've read so far is pretty simple but I'm sure its easier said than done (I'll let you know how it goes) Get up at a set time 7 days a week and go to bed when you are tired. Our bodies respond to routine and have a clock. If you are always going to bed and waking up at different times your mind wont be ready to go to bed and wake up when you need to. According to sleep study experts the body loves consistency. Another idea is have a time in the day, besides while you lying in bed, to have thoughts of what else you need to do or what bothers you. Before you go to bed think about what you are thankful for and all you have and you will have a more peaceful sleep. And know that tomorrow you will have time to think about the other things because you will be well rested.

The bed should be off limits to anything besides sleep (and other things...once you are married). Our minds get mixed up when we read, watch TV and do homework in bed and then a few hours later try to fall asleep there. Dont lay in bed trying to fall asleep. Get up and do something, clean, watch TV, read a book, until you are tired enough to sleep then crawl back into bed and fall asleep when your body is tired.

Give yourself time to wind down. Shut off your electronics, stop drinking caffine, shut off the bright lights, exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime and let your body relax.

Another idea is when your alarm goes off in the morning to wake up, get out of bed and go outside. Get some fresh air, take a walk to see the lights and get your body going. Light is how the body sets its clock.

Good luck! We'll see if I can follow my own tips. They are crucial for me if I want to achieve my being on time goal. And If I dont want to feel tired all the time.