"All I do is Win"

My Half Marathon is less than one month away!!!! Ahh! I can't believe that my half marathon is so close! I have been running a lot more lately, so I am not has scared about this as I was a couple weeks ago!

I am so excited, my dad and Rachelle will be coming out here and running this with me! I don't know if I could do it by myself, its been so nice to know that I have my family in this with me!

I did 8 miles on Saturday and for the first 6 miles I was a rock star! I ran faster than I had ever run before, it was beautiful! Of course, at mile 6, my mind decided it didn't want to be running anymore, got a little bored and just wanted to eat. So those last two miles was a struggle, but I did it!

"Pictures of You, Pictures of Me"

So, I read lots of blogs where people will post a picture a day or a picture a week and then have a little post about that picture. I decided I wanted to do that. I am not sure if I will do a picture everyday but maybe every other day or something. We shall see. So, here goes a random picture post!




These are some of my bestest friends, Corey and Jon. We went to Brick Oven the other week with a bunch of friends which was fun. They flirted the whole time with the waitress, which is typical! I guess in the end they won her heart and left their numbers for her and hung out with her a few days later.

However, with these two, I fear for my life sometimes! Corey and I fight, physically fight all the time! I guess one day he wanted to see if I would punch him. So, he tried to make me punch him, by kicking, punching, etc. I don't do that though, so it is more of me getting beat up on and trying to defend myself. Although, I have punched him now... almost a legit punch!

Jon on the other hand just chokes me! One time Corey and Jon were fighting. Jon thought it would be hilarious to take me as a prisoner, so he wrapped his arm around my neck and started holding me tight. He didn't realize just how tight it was. I screamed(well, to me it was a scream, everyone else said it was a lot quieter) trying to let him know I couldn't breathe, however, he thought it was all part of the play. So he lifted me up and got way more into it. By that point, everyone realized that I really couldn't breathe and he dropped me immediately. I struggled for a while but all was good after that. Now, Jon and I have a good little joke about this.

Anyway, they are my good friends and I still love them! Even though all the bumps and bruises. We took History of Creativity together in Salt Lake and had a two hour drive every Thursday. We would have lots of entertaining times, singing opera, cracking jokes, memorizing quotes for Jon's ROTC, and having some deep conversations!

"I always love my mama"

Its Mother's day as everyone knows and I am doing a post all about her for it! I love my mother SO much!


My mom has always been an amazing example in my life. She taught me that we need to put others before ourself. My mom was constantly doing something for someone. Helping out with weddings, planning activities for people, helping others when it comes to struggles. I think this is where I got my constant desire to be doing something for others. I always see her planning things for others and now I am doing the same. She is the go to woman when people need help getting something done.





My mom taught me how to be independent. She never made decisions for me. Growing up, I hated this. I just wanted someone to give me all the answers. I am the worst at making decisions but still, she made me do it. Now, I am super grateful this. I am able to make my own decisions and I am independent. I have learned that I need make decisions for my own life and that no one else can do that for me.




My mom not only taught me to be independent with my decisions but also financially. When I had gotten to the age where I understood money, she made me buy anything I wanted on my own. She taught me that saving money is important. She can find the best deals... I still don't know how she does it but she is always finding items for an extremely low price. So now, I am always looking for the deals. I have money in my savings account, it may not be a lot but I have a little bit because my mom always stressed how important saving is.





My mom always taught me that running away from your problems is not the solution. One time when I was going through a really hard time I called her asking her to fly me home, just for the weekend. I just wanted to run away from all the problems that were here and she lovingly told me that she would use her free ticket for me to come home but that I needed to remember that when I come back the problems would still be there and maybe worse because I didn't deal with them like I should have. I didn't run away from my problems, I stayed here and I worked through them and I became stronger from the experience. I know that this is a lesson that I will always remember. I knew that she loved me and that she would let me come home but she also loved me enough to tell me something I needed to hear and but didn't at that moment want to hear.




She is an amazing mother. I know as children we each have done some crazy and stupid things but she still loves us. She came to my shows, she came to my dance performances, my musical performances, my sport games, ect. She drove me everywhere before I had a license and car to drive myself. I was in about 100 activities a day and she would make time to drive to all those locations.

I love you mom. You are amazing and I know that I have become who I am today because of you. You are my best friend. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I really appreciate everything you have done for me.

"Here Comes Goodbye"

On Friday we had our Ward Closing Social. We went up the Provo Canyon to one of my favorite parks! It was a gorgeous day and perfect for all of us to get together. It was a little sad because this was the last real time that we all would hang out together before everyone left but it was still lots of fun. We played soccer, ultimate frisbee and volleyball. A couple of us played on the park and just relaxed.



Me with Michelle, Sarah, and Laci. We tried playing soccer, but there was way too many people playing so we made ourselves at home on the sideline!


More fun just chillin wathcing people play soccer.



Carson and I are great friends, I know it may look like I want the friendship more than he does, but that is just him pretending!



Marcus is pretty legit!


Corey and I were twins! Both of us wearing purple stripped shirts!



Marcus and I.



Park Time! Sarah and I doing the train down the slide. You know, when we were younger, those slides seemed HUGE! Now, it was a little bit of a tight squeeze on the way down!



We are the coolest people ever. On a park bench.


Brother V., Bishop Hart, and Mariah

Thank you to the bishopric for an amazing year! They are an amazing bishopric and I am going to miss them when I move out of the Riviera in August. (Yes, I am really moving out of the Riviera in August! Weird, I know!)

Its sad to think this year is over. I don't know if I will ever see some of these people again and that is a sad thought. I am glad that I had the little connection that I did with them this year! I hope the best for everyone as we continue on with our lives!

We are Family

I love my family! I just think they are great! I have had a blog post all about my friends but I don't think I have made one dedicated to my family and how much they mean to me.


My Mom and Dad



My mom has always been someone that I can call and talk to. These past four years of college has thrown so many challenges at me. I don't think I would ever be able to make it through them if I didn't have my mom to call. She has always had the perfect advice for me, it may not have been what I wanted to hear but it was what I needed to hear.



My dad has always encouraged me to be the best that I can be but is always proud of who I am today. I am so grateful for that, I know that there have been times when I was disappointed by how I did and he would lift me up by telling me, He was proud of it. He and I acheived a goal together and I know that I ran the entire half marathon because I had him right next to me, pushing me along and cheering for me.




My sister, Rachelle has always been a great example to me all growing up. When I was a little kid, I wanted to be just like her. She is an amaazing mother and can make taking care of quintuplets look easy! I am so glad I got a chance to live with her a couple summers ago. She has taught me many new skills such as cooking and flirting! I hardly ever hear her complain and I know that she has had some hard times. She is a great example to me.



My brother, Mckay has always been a good one for laughs. He can make anyone laugh. He also is a super hard worker and loves reading and learning. He knows a lot of information, which I think is pretty neat. He also had been one to give me some advice that was greatly needed. He lets me know what boys are really thinking all the time, so I can always tell him about dating life and find out the truth behind it!



Colby has always been a voice of reason for me. I remember when we were kids, he would tell Ryan, Shane and I if he thought what we were doing was stupid and would tell us to stop. That has always stuck with me. He always works for perfection and can see tiny details. He always can make me laugh as well. I am really glad that He and Neeha came home for this past Christmas. I loved being able to spend that time with him.



Ryan has amazing talent. I dont' think he really sees that but he does. He is such a hard worker. He will go above and beyond. I remember when he was studying for the DAT he was in his room for a week studying. I could never do that but he has the determination to do well. And he has done well. I have learned from him that anything you put your mind up to you can do it. I have seen him do that over and over again in multiple situations. He is a great example to me.



I am so glad that Shane has been here at BYU the whole time I have been. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have my brother here to lean on. He has always been the peacemaker in the family. I remember one time he said something that I got upset about. He then came into the room a few minutes later with my guitar singing a song saying he was sorry. Whenever I am upset, he always lets me know that he loves me. He is really good at calming down the stressful situations.



I love my family. They all are great examples to me!

"Obsessed"

I am obsessed with Brownie obsessions!(thanks to my mom and Rachelle for introducing it) I am not ashamed of this obsession! Although, the TGIFridays by my apartment closed down. I was extremely upset with this. It was just a walk across the street till I was in my dream land eating a brownie obsession. There luckily is still a TGIFridays in Sandy so I am not completely with out my one true love. However, Sandy is a long drive just to satisfy my addiction, so I don't ever go. Probably a good thing they got rid of the one right by my apartment, I had it way too much and someone knew that!

This semester I had a class up in Salt Lake every Thursday and every Thursday we drive right past that TGI Fridays and it always taunts me. Sometime's it even shows a picture of the Brownie Obsession with flashing bright lights. If I was not with my friends, I am pretty sure I would have given in but since Corey and Jon were also with me, I just ignore it and continue on to class. But I couldn't handle it anymore! I needed to get a brownie obsession, I had given into the bright huge signs temptations!

So, yesterday it was just Corey and I on our way to class and I saw that sign. I remembered that I still had a gift card to TGIFridays and it needed to be used. So, very excitedly I asked him if we could stop on our way home and get one. I don't think he could say no because 1. I was really excited by this idea and 2. he was kind of trapped, I drove! So, I focused real hard in class knowing that in a few short hours I would have my favorite dessert ever!

And then class was over, and I was reunited with my obsession! Corey and I got some potstickers feeling a little guilty about just getting a dessert and then shared a brownie obsession! I am pretty sure I will be happy for days because I finally got to have a brownie obsession again!

Look at this picture, how can you NOT like a brownie obsession!


Because I am obsessed, I researched what the recipe is. Maybe one day I will try it out.

Here it is:
pre-heat oven 350 grease 9 x 13 pan

Brownies
1 2/3 granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 tbsp water
2 bars (4 oz) unsweetened Giradelli baking bar, broken into pieces
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 tsp salt
1/2 cup shopped nuts (optional)

Microwave sugar, butter and water in large microwavable bowl on high for 4 to 5 minutes or until it is bubbly, stirring once. Add baking bars; stir until melted. Add eggs one at a time until incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract. Add flour, baking soda and salt; stir well add nuts. Pour into prepared 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake 15 - 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool in pan on wire rack, cut into bars.

To serve Place brownie in shallow bowl. Top with chocolate sauce(recipe below). Put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Drizzle Carmel sauce(recipe below) over the ice cream and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Chocolate sauce

2/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar 6 oz semi-sweet Giradelli chocolate baking bar(broken into pieces)

Heat the cream with the butter and sugar in a bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir until smooth. Add the chocolate to the cream mixture. Stir over simmering water until it is melted and thoroughly combined. Let cool at room temperature.

Carmel sauce

3/4 cup brown sugar
4 tsp cornstarch
2/3 cup whipping cream
1 tbsp butter

In a saucepan combine brown sugar and cornstarch. Add whipping cream and butter. Bring mixture to a boil stirring constantly. Then, reduce heat. Cook and stir for 2 more minutes. Cover and cool. Chill in the refrigerator until serving time.

"We're sick of your Hypocrisy"

Dear King George,

I just wanted to say that we are sick and tired of the way you have treated us! Taxing our tea! Its ridiculous! You are trying to make us pay for your mistakes, and I won't stand for it! My pals, George Washington, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and I made a little something for you! I hate that it had to come to this but you pushed things past the limit.

Peace out,
An upset American Patriot




(Sorry about the sound quality, It was for a class project and I didn't have the means for legit equipment, so I did the best I could with what I had!)