Summer in Salt Lake (Part 1)

Well finals for spring semester came and went. Seriously SUCH a relief. Spring was a difficult semester for me. Lots of late nights, revisions-revisions-revisions, and yes...tears were shed. But I did it! and I learned a lot in the process :)

To celebrate, I went to spend an ENTIRE week in Rexburg with Katrina and Casey and their beautiful angel children. I honestly can't describe Carson and Grace any other way. They are seriously the best kind of medicine for the soul! I wish I had pictures but when I go to Rexburg I tend to fall off the face of the earth when it comes to technology. I dont take pictures and I hardly EVER look at my phone...I'm too obsessed with playing with Carson and Grace. EVERY MINUTE COUNTS! ;)

 I took these pictures from Katrina's Facebook...because they are just too cute not to share! Love these angels!

When I came back to Salt Lake, my roommates and I went out to dinner and then went to watch the play "Arsenic and Old Lace" which is a play based off the classic black and white movie. :) Plays and black and white movies are my kind of thing...so I really enjoyed myself. Before the play started, we walked over to Cracker Barrel where I found Lemon drops. SCORE! So I got to enjoy the play while eating lemon-y goodness. Jealous huh? ;)

A couple of days later I started my summer semester. I'm not sure if I was traumatized during spring semester or if it was the summer weather but the first half of this semester was...bizarre. I don't even know how to explain it...my motivation was GONE! I did my assignments half heartedly and last minute...LAST MINUTE! I never do that!!!  I still seemed to be getting pretty good grades and after studying for mid terms I have somehow bounced back into being a "studious" student again.  Funny how that works!

Oh and I moved! I moved to Holladay Utah a couple weeks after summer semester started. I live in a townhome again with two other girls. I have to say, my favorite part of this new place is that there is a POOL! I don't get to use it as often as I want...it's like I'm busy or something....
But when I DO get time, I enjoy every moment! I'm confident I would TOTALLY be a water bender. And not just because my name is Kitara. :) (If you understood that somewhat nerdy reference then you and I should/already are good friends)

So it just turns out that I moved into a ward where my old friend  from BYUI (Jason McNamee) lives. He invited me to go on a hike with a couple of his friends. My first thought was "I like nature...and mountains. And i'm somewhat in shape..and I want to make new friends." So I agreed to go. Probably one of the most taxing things I have EVER done. I have never been so LITERALLY exhausted. Tiffany, Jodi, and Jason were super great. Whenever I needed to stop (which was pretty often...so embarrassing) they would say "oh I wanted to stop anyway" and smile and patiently wait for me to catch my breathe and wait to feel my legs again before starting up again. Let's just say...that experience has boosted my work outs at the gym. But seriously, the climb was so worth it. The view was GORGEOUS!!!! I mean breath taking! It was kind of a spiritual experience being so away from the world and looking down at the beauty below.

The next day, after my clinic session, I drove to Logan to start my road trip to Oregon. I had never been to Oregon before (in fact most of us hadn't been there) so our expectations were low and our "schedule" was flexible which honestly makes for the BEST kind of road trips. We all took turns driving,sleeping and DJing. Only one of us got a ticket (I wont mention names...but it wasn't me) and we only almost died on the drive back once due to sleep deprivation. Luckily my adrenaline kicked in and I was able to drive us the rest of the way safely. ;) GOOD TIMES!

Oregon could honestly have its own blog post...we saw so many beautiful sites, had so many silly adventures, and honestly me writing about it could never REALLY do it justice. I'll just sum it up...

-The first day we visited Multnomah Falls and Portland. We ate at food carts in the city and walked around the city looking at the cool architecture and "interesting" people. Due to the fact that it was a holiday weekend, we couldn't find an open campsite, but due to a series of events, we ended up staying at a hotel. Which was perfect because apparently there was an E Coli outbreak so the water wasn't supposed to be used. Our hotel gave us unlimited water bottles :) (This is something we never would have learned had we camped)

-The next day we drove back to Portland to get Doughnuts from Voodoo Doughnuts (we just HAD to. Best decision!) then we drove to the Portland Temple and then to Astoria to visit the Goonies house. We ate at local diner called Gena's and basked in the Portland Breeze. We drove along the coast and stopped at Cannon Beach (Where Goonies is also filmed and personally my favorite place we visited) Our campsite was right off the beach and we made it just in time to set up our tents and then walk along the beach during the sunset. SO ROMANTIC!!!

-The next morning, we woke up early and drove to another beach close by that was a "surfing beach". It was part of a national forest so we got to drive through the beautiful green trees and straight to the beach. The waves were bigger and we watched the surfers do what they do. We also got a bit adventurous and climbed rocks by the shore...Barefoot! (I had left my water shoes in the car)  Adventures call for a little crazy now and then. We left cannon beach to travel to Lincoln City where the boys had found us our next camp site. As we drove along the coast, we stopped at this restaurant that had AMAZING seafood. The clam chowder was seriously the best clam chowder I have ever had. Hands Down. We also stopped at a lighthouse (the ONE thing i requested we do while on our trip). We got there 1 minute before the LAST tour. I was SO SO excited. It was such a cute lighthouse...the smallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast.
When we got to Lincoln City we soon realized that it was a lot smaller than we expected. We drove around a while looking for a restaurant because we were all starving. We ended up eating at a Tavern because that was pretty much our only option. We must have seemed pretty weird ordering water and sodas with our meals. Haha

The next day was our long journey home. We stopped at 3 different beaches on our way (because we just couldn't say goodbye). We also stopped for lunch in Tillamook. We went through the little tour and tried all the different kinds of cheeses and of COURSE I HAD to get ice cream. :)

Okay so that is a VERY watered down summary of our trip. So many adventures. So many memories. I just love road trips!

By now you are all probably pretty tired of reading this blog...I dont blame you...I'm kind of tired of writing it...but I have more to write. So....

A couple weeks after I came back to Salt Lake, Morgan Krizia and I decided to hike Ensign Peak. A MUCH easier hike than Mt. Olympus and it only took us 20 minutes to climb it, look around and hike back down. Afterwards we went out to breakfast at Millcreek Cafe. I forgot how much fun it is to go out for breakfast.

Later that week, I went to Logan to go to Jessica Kleven's Wedding Reception. I loved her decorations (books on the table with glitter mason jars full of babies breath). I also enjoyed staying the night at both Liz and Julie's homes. My friends in Logan are TOO kind.  I'm really lucky to know them :)

I also went back to Rexburg to visit Katrina's family and my bestie Maria. She and I went to I-Cover (where I decidedly felt "old"). We also got to meet up with our old roommate Elise. I loved our little reunion. I couldn't help but laugh when Elise said "I feel like the sons of Mosiah" haha. Oh those girls. I love them so.

In other news..my other best friend Sarah is ENGAGED!!! So exciting! I'm so happy for her and I'm even happier that I got to see her the day after. We went for a walk and I got to see the ring and hear all about the proposal story. So SO happy for that girl.

This past saturday, Morgan and I went to the Farmers Market in Pioneer Bark (the homeless people park) in Salt Lake City. I always find things like this fun because 1. Its interesting what people make and sell in their free time 2. Free samples 3. Great food and 4. It's Free Fun!
Morgan and I bought Strawberry Lemonades at this Lemonade booth that made the Lemonade fresh before your eyes. So yummy!

Later that night, we met up with our friend Nick and had a last minute adventure. We drove to Bountiful to go to FIIZ ( a drink shop) where you can buy all sorts of mixed soda drinks. We were all pretty energized and acted a little crazy. Our dance parties in the car were pretty much the best! :)

Hmmm....what else...OH! I have a new calling as a ward missionary. Ive never been a missionary before so I am learning so much and I love having the opportunity to share my testimony so often. I get to actually participate in giving the Lessons and go door to door visiting members in our ward. It's a really neat experience. I really love how efficient my new ward is. I have only been in the ward for a month but everyone is SO friendly and you can tell that they are really watching out for one another. For example the Elders Quorum Presidency took the time to visit EVERY person who hadn't been home taught that month because they didn't want anyone to be left behind. That's some serious dedication and let's just say I'm impressed.

So yeah...as you can see, Life is good. It's still pretty busy but Ive found time to squeeze in some fun now and again. Ive had a few challenges and trials here and there, but nothing that a little prayer and faith can't work out. :) I can't complain.

Conference. Conference. Conference.

I went to my first all-day conference a couple weeks ago. I felt so professional sitting there with all the other speech-language pathologists. The conference was focused on learning about Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). I used to nanny for a little boy that had CAS so I was pretty excited to learn more about it.

My conference certificate :)

Later that day, I made a last minute decision and drove up to Logan with Wendi. I'm so glad I did! That night wendi had a group over to her house to play Just Dance (so fun!) and then we met up with friends from my old ward at the Sports Academy in Logan. I wasn't exactly dressed for swimming, or sports, but it was fun to see old friends and eat pizza. Then at midnight, a group of us went to The Fun Park to play laser tag in the entire building (Thanks to Julie). It was fun running around the skating rink, through the arcade games, and crawling through the children play tunnels. Its a lot harder to climb in those things as an adult. haha

The next morning, I went with Julie to clean the church building in providence. That was one of my first callings in the ward when I first moved to providence and so it was somewhat nostalgic...is that weird? Maybe it is. Oh well. It was kind of cool because the bishopric showed up and put me in charge...even though I'm not in the ward anymore. It made me feel like I had never left.
Unfortunately, I still had a lot of homework that I had to do over the weekend so I went back to Julies to try to get everything done. For lunch, Mike, Jessica Smith, Julie and I went out to eat at Herm's Inn (This cute little place on the way to First Dam). I had always heard good things about the food and I was excited to try it... I wasn't disappointed. Biscuits and Gravy...Yum.

Herm's Inn...where you drink out of jars. :)

 

That night Julie and I went with a group of girls to the Women's Broadcast at the Conference Center (yes I did drive all the way back to salt lake to watch the conference). Basically, the conference was amazing...I cried. Afterwards we all went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Well Julie and I were actually fasting, so we played checkers while everyone else ate. I have to say that was the MOST intense game of checkers I have ever played in my life. I was SO close. Next time Julie. Next time.

At the Women's Conference

On sunday, I went to church, saw my friends, ate delicious food at break-the-fast (no seriously, everything was SO yummy...not just because I was fasting) and then I went to my friend Liz and Sydney's home and watched Austenland and talked until Wendi came to pick me up. *sigh* Weekends in cache valley are so much fun!

Back in Salt Lake:
I had been pretty concerned about the fact that my housing contract ends in May, and I wanted to move, but I hadn't found anything yet. I was praying and fasting for some direction, and on Tuesday everything started coming together. Kelli (a girl in my program) mentioned a few people who had some openings where she lived. So that night (and the next day) I went and viewed the rooms. And I found a place! I will officially be moving in May to a townhouse in Holladay. I'm excited...and nervous...all at the same time.

On thurdsday my program had an "End of the Year Banquet" where they gave out awards and scholarships to a few lucky souls. I wasn't among them, but that's okay. I enjoyed seeing the people in my program all dressed up. They brought their significant others and children. I didn't bring anyone. Obviously.

       Kassi Me and Katherine. My Study Buddies.                       Single...

On Friday my client had cancelled her session, so Katherine and I decided to change our study group up a little but. We both took the tracks downtown (always an adventure!) and studied at the visitors center at temple square. I really enjoyed studying there! During one of our many "off track"moments, Katherine and I started talking about how I had never seen the movie "Legacy" that is shown at the visitors center. We decided to take a break from studying and asked the sister missionaries to play the movie. They set us in a room (that we had all to ourselves which was kind of nice) and we watched the movie. Pioneers and a love story...love it!

 Later that night sarah came over and we had a girls night. She came with me to get my hair cut (It was time.) and then we bought a pizza and started a Jane Austen movie. We interrupted the movie to meet up with Wendi, Amber and Jessica to get frozen yogurt. Gotta love girls night!

Saturday was general conference and my roommate Morgan had gotten tickets to the afternoon session. She invited me and Alex Johnson to join her and her coworkers.

Conference!

 

After the conference, Katherine and Kassi came over to my house to study for a few hours and then I spent the rest of the night with Krizia. We went grocery shopping (cause we were feeling pretty wild. ;) and the we watched a movie at her house (Crossroads...the one with Brittany spears in it. haha). We ended up talking for quite a while and I left pretty late at night, which is fine by me. I love talking to people.

I was lucky enough to go to General Conference on Sunday as well with some friends from Logan. We had GREAT seats. We sat on the terrace directly in the middle! Mary and Colton also had tickets for same section, so I saved them seats so we could all sit together. After conference, Mary and Colton came over for dinner. We had delicious tortollini soup, rolls, and ceasar salad. We played headbands, only this time we made up the words. Colton's were always the hardest to guess...Styrofoam? Impossible!

         I like these people...a lot.                                           Mike and I showing off our perfect view. :)

                           Yay for family. I'm so happy Mary and Colton came to visit. :)

                                                                        So blessed.

For all those who are reading this blog and have NO idea what General Conference is...and don't understand why I am so excited about it, you can learn more here...

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

Basically, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints, we believe in living prophets and apostles today that receive revelation from our Heavenly Father. Members gather all around the world to listen to them speak as they share HIS message of love and guidance. Their messages are perfect and lovely.

Spring Break 2014

My friend Wendi had her birthday a few weeks ago. Fortunately it was on a thursday night (when we have institute) so Wendi and I went out with a bunch of her friends to eat at Zuppa's before institute. Then we went out AGAIN after institute with a group from my ward. I'm so happy that I got to spend that day with her. It's been a pretty busy semester for the both of us, so it was nice to have a night of fun.

The before party.

 The AFTER party.

That weekend, a group from my program were invited to go to Brooke's (a super cool girl in my program) cabin. The cabin (if you could even call it that. It was huge!) was out in the mountains.  It was nice to "get away" from Salt Lake for a night and have "girl time". We watched chick flicks, played games, ate ice-cream and candy and gawked at all the taxidermy that surrounded us. haha It was really nice getting to know some the girls from my program better. I don't know why we don't hang out more. It was so much fun.

 We went to dinner at this delicious Mexican restaurant in Park City.

Since then, I've had a couple friends come to visit me. I know I say this in pretty much every post, but I just Love Love Love when friends come to visit. I get so excited!

Kim and Julie!

Dear Liz.

This past week was spring break. Glorious Glorious Spring Break. Of course I still had my clinic sessions that week, but by some miracle (guys...prayers really ARE answered) some of my clients rescheduled their sessions so I was able to actually have a break. On Monday after clinic, I went up to Logan. Julie was nice enough to let me stay at her house. She's the best. Not only did she give me my own room, but she made fresh popcorn, gave me chocolate milk (my favorite) AND let me borrow the most comfortable pillow I have ever used in my life. Seriously, it was like sleeping on a cloud. AND we went  to The Crepery for delicious crepes for breakfast the next morning.
But back to monday night... I went to FHE at my old ward building in Providence. (I sure do miss that place). and honestly...it was the COOLEST activity. It was a human "hampster ball" obstacle course. I know right? Awesome! I was the first person to try it out. It was harder than it looks. But such a fun experience. I laughed the whole time!

I also got to have special one on one time with my friend Skye and later with my friend Jessica Smith. Just a note on those girls: They are amazing. Both of them. I always feel so uplifted just being in their presence. It was wonderful talking with Skye about her happy married life. I am just so happy for her. I think I always will be. And Jessica, she gives like the BEST advice and pep talks. Those girls are gems.

I still had clinic on Wednesday, so I returned to SLC but then immediately left to go visit Katrina and her family in Rexburg. I always feel so rejuvenated when I visit them. Katrina is so blessed to have two angels for children. I honestly think that whenever they hold my hand, smile at me, or even look my direction, I can feel all my stresses melt away and I become emotionally stronger. Katrina is blessed to be able to spend time with them all day everyday. Some girls have all the luck ;)
My parents gave Kat and I some money to "have fun" for spring break, so  we went out to dinner at a delicious BBQ place in Rexburg. And then we later bought a cake...just because we could. ;) Katrina and I took a couple walks around Rexburg, we walked the kids to the park, and went on a night walk around the temple. LOVE! I just love walks...its a family thing...and it was nice to walk and talk with katrina like the good old days.

 I don't know where she gets it...oh wait.

The first morning, I found Carson like this. He had "changed" his pajamas. I'm still amazed that he got it zipped up so far. I couldn't stop laughing. Cutie.

 AHHH SO CUTE. My little loves. The top right picture, we found grace with one arm outside of her pajamas...NO idea how she did that. A few days later her leg was outside her pajamas...and all the buttons were still buttoned. Little Magician that one.

 I love these kids so much.

We bought twinner dresses. The first time in YEARS. Also, first photos we have taken together since Carson was born. Crazy.

I also got to see my BFF Maria when I was in Rexburg. We went to lunch in IF with a few of her friends and then went to Extravadance. I love Extravadance. I always have. I went every semester that I was at BYUI. So it was perfect that it just happened to be the weekend that I was visiting.

Basically, I had an amazing spring break. And it's hard to jump back into being responsible again (as I write my blog when I should be studying...haha)

Okay...back to work.

One day at a time.

A new semester started. One with different difficulties and stresses than the last. There is less focus on class work and more focus on clinicals. Sometimes I feel like I'm running around with no idea of what I'm actually doing. It's exhausting. But I am learning so much. And this coming week the semester will be half way over!!!! Thank goodness.

With all the different things to work on and worry about it, I have just as much free time as last semester. So basically no social life... But I REALLY do try to reach out as much as I can.
My roommates and I planned a roommates night out (we have to plan things well in advance because we are all so busy and we are never all home at the same time)
We went to dinner at Cracker Barrel and then went to see a play "The Foreigner" at Hale Theatre. I had never heard of the play and I was pleasantly surprised with how funny it was.

The roommates (and kelsey) at Hale Theatre. Oh and an old fashioned looking candy bar that I bought at Cracker barrel. Its the simple things like that old fashioned looking candy bar that  make me happy.The simple things...and chocolate. :)

I have been trying to balance my hectic life with more uplifting activities to help ease the burden of stress. (Like trying to be a better visiting teacher, serving others,trying to actually read the chapters for institute each week, listen to better music...etc.) So when there was an opportunity to donate blood...I jumped at the chance.

Donating blood...saving a life. :)

 But the most important goal that I have been trying to keep is by going to the temple each week. The Salt lake Temple was closed for a month for renovations and cleaning, so I had the opportunity to go to a few other temples in the area including the beautiful Bountiful temple with Anne Marie (a girl in my ward)

I forgot my camera...so this is a picture I found online. It really is a beautiful temple!

I also had the opportunity to meet up with Kelsey at the Jordan River temple. It was so nice to see Kelsey again. I just love her.

Kelsey and I at the Jordan River temple. No makeup. No worries.

A few weeks ago, my friend Julie came down from Logan. She took me to Pei Wei ( a delicious Chinese restaurant that I had never been to before). I got to try their delicious lettuce wrap...which I'm pretty sure changed my life. ;) She and I also went and watched her nephew's volleyball game and then went and got ice cream after.It was so nice to see her and catch up. I really love when friends come to visit. 

Oh and speaking of friends in the area, an old roommate of mine (Alysia) moved to Layton and invited me over for a movie night at her new apartment. It was nice to be able to catch up with her and meet the fun people in her ward.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to travel to rexburg for the long weekend to spend time with my "little family" as well as my best friend maria. Maria arranged a double date (which turned into a group date) on Valentines Day to a masquerade dance. I hadn't been  to a dance in a while and I had SUCH a good time. And it was so fun to see maria. I love how much she makes me laugh.

Date night with my favorite maria!!!!

And of course I got to see my "little cuties" while I was in rexburg. Grace and Carson are just the cutest. The first morning Carson tried to wake me up early to play with him by saying "wake up kitty...its church day". It was Saturday. Carson made me laugh so much and grace was as cute as always.
Unfortunately I got pretty sick over the weekend...so if didn't get to do as much cuddling and give as many kisses as usual. But I got to play fun new games like "keeping Carson from drinking out of my cup" (which was quite the task) and "pretending to squeeze Gracie from afar". Carson even mimicked me as  I crawled from the bedroom to the bathroom...I was a little too sick to laugh...but now I think its pretty cute.
Oh and then there was the time where I was napping in Carson's room (because i wasn't feeling well) and Katrina told Carson that he could go into his room to grab his toy but HE HAD TO BE REALLY QUIET. Carson ran into his room, sat by my bed, and said "kitty be quiet!" and then ran out of the room with his toy. I was a little too out of it to understand what had just happened but Katrina told me later and we both laughed about it.
 Also on my last day there (last story i promise!) Carson brought me a cookie that he had decorated for me. I set it down for two seconds (literally like two seconds) to pick Gracie up off of the floor and turned around to grab my cookie only to find that Carson had just licked all the icing off and was currently working on licking the icing off his own cookie. Little sneak! haha  Those kids always make Rexburg so fun!

This week, my stake had stake conference. On Wednesday we had a stake temple night which was nice to be able to go do baptisms with people my own age. Afterwards  my visiting teacher (Liz Moffit) and I went and got hot cocoa and walked around city creek. It was a nice break and I just love spending time with Liz. I like to listen about all the trips she has planned and her philosophies on dating as well as our similar love of reading. She is a free spirit and I admire that.

Sarah and Natasha had convinced me to go to provo on friday night, but due to some last minute changes, sarah and I ended up spending our friday here in salt lake. We went to dinner (Cafe Rio)and then went shopping/window shopping at city creek mall. We then came back to my place and watched a movie. It was so fun to have a girls night with sarah just like old times. I'm usually so busy (even on the weekends).

Sarah and I at the mall. Because we always have to take at least ONE crazy glasses picture at the mall :)

Last night, before the night session of Stake conference, a few girls from the relief society got together to go out to dinner beforehand. That was so much fun. I hadn't done anything like that for awhile so it was nice to be able to meet new girls in the ward, AND try out a new restaurant. We went to the Neapolitan pizza place which is right here in sugar house. I had the most amazing Caesar salad (yes I got a salad...at a pizza place. Don't judge.) ;)

Another image I found online...

And of course stake conference was just so wonderful! Both last night AND this morning. I  love being Mormon. I love knowing who I am and that I have a divine destiny. I know that Christ lives and that he loves us and that Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for each of us. A plan of happiness. A plan of so much incomprehensible joy. I am grateful for the peace that the gospel brings in my life. It is the main thing that gets me through the loneliness, stresses, and trials of this life. That...and chocolate. But mostly the gospel. :) And honestly I have had a pretty hard time lately (i know the pictures and stories make it sound otherwise) but its true. I'm just grateful to know that the Lord knows me personally. He knows how best to comfort me in the middle of an emotional breakdown. haha Grad School is hard. There. I said it. And I'm just taking it one day at a time. Thank goodness I have Him on my side to help me get through it. I guess I'm pretty blessed :)

And all of the sudden...It's Christmas time.

And once again...it's that time of year. Not a huge fan of the cold weather...or the snow. But I'm loving the special spirit that the Holidays bring.

Speaking of holidays,I completely skipped writing about thanksgiving (finding time to update a blog is a pretty difficult these days). This year I wasn't able to go home to Ohio for thanksgiving. Luckily, I have Mary and Katrina who live close by, so I was still able to spend Thanksgiving with family. I spent thanksgiving in rexburg and it was so nice to have a little break from school. I pretty much just ate,slept, and played with Carson and Grace. It was great.

Here in Good Ol' Salt Lake:

I've been lucky enough to do a few "christmas" activities this past month. A couple weeks ago, a group of friends came to Salt Lake to go see the play "Savior of the World" with me. The play wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, but I still really liked it. It was about before and after Christ's life. It was kind of cool to see the perspective from Mary and Joseph's point of view. Both Mary and Joseph had to be incredibly strong people to do what they did....especially Mary.  I keep reflecting on it...so yeah...I liked it!

 A few of my friends came down earlier (before the play) and we went out to eat at a local pub called Squatter's Pub (Liz's recommendation). The food was delicious and we all got the homemade root beer I had never had homemade rootbeer before..probably because I'm not a huge fan of rootbeer. haha But I had to try it for the experience! I noticed that the pub had a special kind of beer called "outer darkness". Yep. That's right. I am definitely living in utah... haha

After dinner, we went and walked  around City Creek Mall. My favorite part was when Liz and I went into Tiffany's with Ryan and Mike. The people working there assumed they were our boyfriends and Liz and I went along with it so we could try on rings. Actually Liz went along with it...I'm terrible at "pretending" so I just smiled a lot.
After the play, a few of us quickly walked over to temple square to see the lights. They were only open for a few more minutes so we didn't stay very long....but there is always such a special spirit on temple square.

 Squatter's Pub

I <3 these girls!

 Our group at the play :)

Temple Square Lights

Last Monday for FHE, my ward had our ward christmas party at the Lion House. The Lion House is Brigham Young's old house which has been turned into a nice restaurant  located on temple square. It was a pretty cool experience. They have delicious rolls! ALMOST as good as Elements. ;)

 The girls at my table...don't worry mom...I sat with boys too.

The Lion House

Unfortunately...its also FINALS time. ( And there is no better time to update a blog than when you are procrastinating studying for finals ;) )This past week has been full of anxiety and stress...and I'm sure this week will be equally just as stressful. But luckily I have awesome guys in my ward who gave me a priesthood blessing. AND taking an entire day off (sunday) from studying really makes me ready to take on this next week. I feel less stressed and more motivated. But it probably couldn't hurt to have some extra prayers ;)

The one good thing about finals is that it means that this semester will be over. I wont ever have to take these classes again. One semester down...three more to go. I CAN DO THIS!

This past weekend I was able to squeeze in some fun in between study sessions.
On friday night (after LITERALLY studying all day) I went to this place called Wing Stop with a few girls from my program. The only things they sell there are wings and fries. It was really good! The fries are sort of sweet (they must put sugar on them or something) and fresh. And who doesn't love wings...i mean really! Then afterwards, Cassee Russell and I went with a group of her friends to see the 2nd Hobbit movie in theatres which I was totally geeking out about the whole time. It was so good!

 mmm.wings.

THE HOBBIT!!! I've been waiting all year for this!

On Saturday, I went to Katherine's house to study for exam which we had this morning.  I was there from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. studying for this comprehensive exam. So. much. information. haha But afterward I went with wendi to a Christmas Fiesta Party which was hosted by Wendi's friend (and now my friend) Amber Squire. Most of the people there were teachers because apparently 60% of Amber's ward are all teachers. That's just so funny to me...I'm not sure why...but it is.

Matching red pants, nachos, sombreros, and fun.

Yesterday (sunday) I took a break and didn't study at all. And it felt OH SO GOOD! Our relief society was having a special christmas brunch before church. We had crepes and bagels and oatmeal and fruit and donuts and  many more kinds of breakfast food. President Hinckley's daughter came to speak with us. Unfortunately I had to miss that part because I had choir practice and it was our christmas program that day. The program went so well! I have SUPER talented people in my ward.

After church, my roommates and I had a roommate dinner and the secret santa gift exchange. It was pretty fun. All of us are usually super busy so we dont really spend a lot of time together. So it was nice just sitting down and getting to know what is going on in everyone's lives.

 Oh Christmas Tree

Roommate Dinner

Im looking forward to finishing up my finals and spending the holidays with family...just a few more days! Wish me luck! Or better yet...pray for me :)