Christmas Is Coming!

I wish that I had a camera to capture my magical Christmas living room, but at the same time I know a camera would make all of our hard work look cheesy and very college cheap. BUT despite what a picture would do to it -- if you were sitting here on my couch next me it would be perfect for you as well. I'll try to describe it for you!

Our little two foot Christmas tree is aglow in the corner. Its got the cutest bulbs on it -- little spheres of silver, matte red, and shiny red! My roommate Tess added a troll tree topper and some other ornaments. We put two strings of multi-color lights around the top of three-ish walls. The extension cord is hanging down from the lights awkwardly against the wall. There is a string of tinsel around the lamp! And I'm listening to pop-stars sing carols in a really really corny way! I love it!

Stacey, Amanda, and I are going to finish the rest of our decorating later tonight! We're making a Christmas mural (basically we're painting butcher paper to look like a fireplace with a fire in it), and we're going to wrap our door and put a giant bow on it! I'm so excited for this Christmas season!

You can always feel a special spirit all over the place during Christmas. We had this great lesson on charity at FHE last night and I just feel so inspired by all my FHE members! I'm just going to go start serving everyone in sight! :) Then tonight my home teachers came over to move our furniture to make room for our Christmas mural! It was so sweet of them! So I guess the lesson learned is that even though I complain about this ward a lot -- it isn't the worst place after all!

I just have to make it through these last few weeks of tests and and projects and I'll be home free!! Christmas-time is the BEST TIME OF THE YEAR!

Materialistic Things to Be Thankful For!

 MY COMPUTER IS FIXED! 

AND PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW!

So two weeks ago(ish) after I cleaned my computer with a Clorox Bleach Wipe -- the keyboard started acting funny. As in certain keys would only work if the caps lock was on, or when I would push one button three letters would show up. It was bizarre. Being the computer support secretary I am I Googled the problem. Apparently I needed to shut everything down and let it air out for a day or two. I did this on a Thursday night .... It was still dead Monday morning. So being the computer support secretary I am I took it to work gave it to my boss and said -- can you fix this?

Then the wait started. For weeks my blessed roommate Stacey McKnight has been selflessly sharing her computer with me -- FREE OF CHARGE! Then today, the Apple Man FINALLY CAME!

After tinkering for a while he discovered that there was NO WATER DAMAGE (which is a HUGE blessing because my Applecare does not cover spills). 

(Although I still secretly think that's what the problem is -- the way they detect water spills as I understand it is that there are stickers under the keyboard that change something when they are wet -- so thankfully my Clorox drops missed those indicators!)

The Apple Man than found that my computer's power button was broken, so he's ordering parts. For the time being he did something to make it turn on again until the parts come in. My job is to not let it turn off or run out of juice until after the new parts come in, because it's going to die again if that happens. 

So here's all that I'm grateful for day (in relation to my laptop):

1.) That my roommate is so sweet and kind enough to share with me.

2.) That my computer is running again and will be fixed completely soon.

3.) That my the Apple Man noticed the cracks at the hinge of my computer and replaced the outer covering.

4.) That my screen finally got cleaned -- It's been needing that for a long time actually and there was this spot on my screen that was lighter than everything else -- that's gone now too!

5.) It turns out that the power key is connected to the keyboard, so when I get a new power button I GET A WHOLE NEW KEYBOARD, which isn't that big of a deal since my keyboard is working properly now but it's still exciting because I get something new! YEAH!

So that's my materialistic blessings for today! 

Best Friends Weekend

So my computer has recently decided to take a sabbatical. Meaning that for the time being it is out of commission. Gone. Crashed. Done. Dead.  It's like the all the opposition of the blogging world is conspiring against me .. first my camera, then my computer.. what's next? Awesome life experiences to blog about? (knock on wood that's not next-- my life is already pretty boring if my life experiences get anymore boring I'll be in jail or dead.) But despite this, I'm going to try to fight back and blog from work for a little while ... So here's my belated post on my

BEST FRIEND'S WEEKEND IN ST. GEORGE!

The weekend was so much fun. We got there on Friday and although I don't have pictures of it at the moment.... We dyed hair, had a very interesting talent show, and loved being together! It was a blast!

The next day we made a list of 13 things we could do in St. George. We decided to go to the 'mall' of St. George! It was so much fun. Instead of shopping for ourselves we decided to have a gift exchange. We all drew a name and then we all went shopping together for a while. Then we split up and had 20 minutes to buy gifts for each other. SO MUCH FUN! I really enjoyed that part of the day. Then we went to the grocery store for dessert supplies. Then we went out to dinner, sticking to tradition we went to  Chili's -- we ate in the bar part of the restaurant -- most likely because our server could tell Alexa was on the verge of being 21! 

We came home after our delicious dinner experience -- and played drinking games with shot glasses and root (pronounced rut) beer! So fun! But... just so you carbonation is actually pretty filling, even drinking it a shot glass at a time! :)

The Group - minus Chelsea!

The Group plus Chelsea! 

 After our stomachs settled back down we had brownies and gluten-free mousse as an early celebration of the beautiful amazing Alexa!

Isn't she great!?

We then watched movies till all hours of the morning and had a wonderful time with that as well.. The next morning we were off to a great Church meeting! We left Church after sacrament meeting to eat before we headed back home and we used the time to take some group photos --- photography skills on these ones go to Miss Stacey McKnight!

FAB FOUR REUNITED! :)

Chelsea's the tallest! 

Jumping for Joy?

We love Edward!

I love these girls so much and I'm so glad we got to go through high school together. We were good for each other and it turns out in college you need the same kinds of friends. Even though we don't get to see each other that much -- it always feels like nothing has changed between the four of us. What a blessing! I'm especially glad to celebrate a whole holiday weekend about on my best friends ALEXA! She is such a great girl --  so sincere, non-judgemental, adventurous, fun-loving, and genuinely caring. She's a blessing to me all by herself! I'm so glad I got to go down and relax before all of this school stuff starts getting really intense and there was no better way to spend my weekend! :)

Happy Halloween!

So as everyone knows at Halloween everyone tries to have the most creative costume ever. Or just really really good.  My costume was not creative, and also not very good.  I was going to be a zebra, but at the last minute I did a group costume with my roommates. When in doubt Snuggie it out right?

 My roommates and I tried our best and this is the best we could do:

My roommate Tess was the lion -- it turned out so cute! We wore Snuggies!

You may now be asking yourself what the girls in Snuggies were supposed to be? 

Maybe its not quite clear to you what we were? 

The official answer was: My Little Pony -- but we never told anyone that.

When anyone asked us what we were - we would tell them to guess. Guess as wild as they wanted. Then we told them VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY

YES -- YOU GUESSED IT!

It was probably one of my best costumes to date! Not only because it was great to dance in at the ward dance party, but also because I got to be a million things just by wearing a Snuggie. I mean what would you guess when you saw this:

Some of my favorite guesses of the night:

• Housewives
• Fairies
• The three wise men
• Angel
• Cruella de Vil (Stacey)
• Jedi

BUT -- my all time favorite guess of the evening was:

PEPTO BISMOL 

Because of course I would willingly dress up like a bottle of indigestion medicine that people associate with a cute jingle about diarrhea. Needless to say it was highly amusing costume for me if no one else. 

Another highlight of my day was seeing pictures of both my cute nieces dressed up as cats! Those girls are just so cute -- I only wished they lived closer! 

So to all my readers -- I hope you all had equally amazing Halloweens! 

(Now on to the real holidays am I right?)

Living The College Dream

I'm going to recreate college for all you that have gone before me. Hopefully you can be grateful once again that you have already moved out of this part of your life.

After going to bed at around 1:00-1:30, I set five alarms and was woken up by my roommate a half hour before I needed be at work. Even with the time crunch I rolled out of bed slowly washed my face and got ready without showering (embarrassing but true). I threw my laptop in my back-pack, and then thought about what I should eat for breakfast and lunch since I'd have to eat them on campus.

I decided to grab my cheese from the fridge and the Tricuits from my room, where I have to keep a growing amount of food because my small kitchen has a limited amount of storage.  I put on a cute sweater and paired my somewhat dressy sweater with some tennis shoes, because I'm getting desperately low on flat-socks after loosing half of my flat-socks in the laundry room.

I power walked to school because I left the house at 7:53 -- work starts at 8. It was a little cold so I put my gloves on -- the same gloves that have a hole in the end of the index finger, usually I don't mind since it helps me run my iPod in the cold, but today it was little chilly.

I got to work pulled out my cheese and crackers.  My cheese had a plastic sack around it secured with a pony-tail holder because I was too lazy/don't actually own any Saran-wrap to keep it from drying out and there are no rubber-bands at my apartment.

So now I'm eating my breakfast and lunch -- cheese and crackers. I forgot to grab a knife from home, so I'm sawing off little chunks of cheese with a plastic knife I scavenged from the supply cabinet at work.

The rest of the day looks promising. I'll be finishing my 6 page research paper that's due via email at 5:00 p.m.   The only problem is that I still have most of a page left and I'm all out of relevant research....

And that ladies and gentlemen is a little glimpse into the college life. Maybe I can join you all in the ranks of responsible adulthood sometime in the distant future.

EDITED TO ADD: I'm not complaining (except about loosing my socks -- that I will continue to complain about) -- I just thought you might enjoy this glimpse into my life!

Daughters in My Kingdom

I just felt the need to give my personal plug in for "Daughters in My Kingdom" the new book that was given to all the Relief Society sisters! I just received my copy two or three weeks ago, and I LOVE IT!

I was so excited to get at first, and then I was so busy that week that I didn't read it all. I decided the next week to read it in earnest. This was a GREAT decision. Every time I read this book, I put it down feeling inspired by the amazing ladies who saw the vision of Relief Society as taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I'm not even exaggerating when I saw every time! It is truly awe inspiring how much the ladies in the beginning of Relief Society gave to those in need.

After reading the first four chapters, I want you my reading audience to know that I in my very soul believe this book was inspired! It has already me motivated me to reach out and to serve more. If we all understood the history given here we would be improved as individuals and in all parts of Relief Society from the teaching to the weekday activities to the visiting teaching!

I know that sometimes we feel like we have to do so much for Church. Read our scriptures, read the lessons, read the Ensign, serve everyone, go to Church do our callings... but if you make time to read this -- you will NOT regret it!

But you don't have to take my word for it -- click here to hear Sister Julie B. Beck! (That video is only two minutes and definitely worth your time  -- I promise!) Or you could go to this website, which is dedicated to the book and you can get a PDF copy if you don't have yours yet!

THE TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT!

WARNING:

Epic (meaning LONG) post follows.

I know that you all have anxiously awaiting this post, but I've literally had a test or paper due every single day this week, so I couldn't justify the time it would take to write such an epic post. But now I've got plenty of time to devote to this grand event.  So here's what its like to attend a Taylor Swift concert and have girl's reunion in the middle of the week.

First of all.. my excitement had definitely peaked long ago, so I wasn't out of my mind excited to go to see Taylor. I mean I still like her a lot and listen to her music and throughly enjoy listening to it, but I was much much more excited to see my family. I took work off on Wednesday so I got to spend the entire afternoon with my family. We wandered around BYU -- with two babies, two strollers and two diaper bags which we shared between the four of us. It was a little bit embarrassing to be part of a baby caravan, but I would do it again for my SUPER CUTE nieces. Both Aubrey and Camilla have got so much more animated since I last saw them so it was a great time!


When we got to Dawn's house Aubrey and I bonded on my computer by making videos and taking pictures like this one:

So we had a good time. Then Dawn made us the most delicious enchiladas, and then it was time for a night out on the town. 

On the car ride over we fulfilled all of our girl night requirements. We cried, we did make-up, we built confidence, and then we arrived at the concert.

As we walked up to the doors of the Energy Solutions Arena, it was immediately apparent that we were not the normal Taylor Swift concert goers.  We were older than most, and in a smaller group than most, and we were less dressed up than most. However we were joined in our minority by small pockets of mothers bringing there 5 or 6 year-olds.

Pre-Concert Pics:

Yes -- I missed the memo to where black. Lame.

We arrived promptly at 7:00 p.m. ... Just in time for the opening-opening act. Who was followed for the opening band. Who was followed by the longest break of my life. Who was followed promptly at 8:45 by Taylor Swift. Maybe this common at concerts, but I was a little put-out by the waiting for two hours.

But we made good use of our time:

The group: 

Girl's reunion!! :)

Individual Glamour Excited Shots:

The fat rolls are intentional... just so you know! 

And a single ladies pic:

I was the only one in the group. 

FINALLY THE MAIN EVENT: 

MISS TAYLOR SWIFT!!!

Soo....

Recap: 

• It was a super fun thing to do. So what if my mom fell asleep, and my two young mother sisters sat down sometimes? It was still ended up being a good time.
• Taylor Swift is actually good live. This isn't even my loyal fan-hood coming out. She legitimately sounded like she could sing! 
• You should not bring young children to these things. The girls in front of us were scared from all the screaming at the beginning. The also fell asleep by the end. So.. I'm not sure how worth it it was for them. But there was a mom that got super into in front of us and would lead the standing when her group of 3 or 4 girls sat down.
• I've found that studying leisure has changed my everyday life.  At the end of the show, I told my sisters and mothers all about Flow, and how for 2 hours Taylor Swift brought together 14,000 people. We were all one in listening, watching, and enjoying the experience. Then we would trickle back out into the world into our various lives and homes.  It was so awesome to me how much leisure can bring people together in just 2 hours.. even if it doesn't keep us together.. The main idea is that leisure breaks down barriers, which is so neat.
• Her band members/dancers are so talented. They displayed talent on multiple instruments and types of dance. I felt very untalented. 
• I left feeling very inspired. Which is a little embarrassing to admit, but for reals she is awesome. I just felt like -- she had a dream. A BIG HUGE dream and she made it happen. She's like a modern day success story. I felt like my dreams were too small after I left there -- but I'm back to reality now!

We left the concert and went back to Dawn's house. Bryan, Aubrey, and Camilla were all sleeping peacefully. We girl's finished with a round of ice-cream. And then I finished off my girl's night with a sleep over at Dawn's house -- complete with nursing interruption in the middle of the night! Ha. 

Even though my mother ended up spending tons of money on car problems, a rental car, and the tickets themselves, she seemed to have a good time, and I'm just happy we got to have them here even if it was just for a day! I think my mom was happy in the end too because she finished the night by saying "So what're we doing next year?" Apparently our girl reunions will be a yearly event -- sorry men of the Lewis fam.. you'll have to plan your own thing! 

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ THIS PART!

Now the next part of the post -- is really for my own benefit and none of yours. I just really want to remember what she did with all her songs.

1. Mine 

 --- I don't remember this one all that well except that there was a freaky puppet show graphic going on in the background. It was very distracting.

2. Sparks Fly 

---This is what she started the concert with -- complete with firework / sparky things and awesome lighting effects! 

3. Back to December 

-- This was done later on in the concert after a costume change. She come on the stage with a piano. She sang all of Back to December and added One Republic's "It's Too Late to Apologize" and her own "You're not Sorry" as a way of giving Taylor Lautner's side of the conversation. It was mad awesome.

4. Speak Now 

-- This was done in the middle of the program. They set up a church setting on stage -- complete with pews and she sang from up above. She did with a sixties vibe and had the cutest little dance 60's dance to go along with it. At the end she left with the groom off the stage -- then ditched the groom somewhere and went to a rotating tree in the back of the room.  

5. Dear John  

-- I know she did it, but I can't remember what she did with it. 

6. Mean 

-- This was just like she did at that awards show. It was after a costume change and they had this dancer doing a tap routine before everyone came on. She popped unto the stage in a very cool way.

7. The Story of Us
-- The only thing I remember about this was that all of her back-up dancers came on stage for the first time and they all danced in angry couple ways -- if that make sense.

8. Enchanted 

-- This was first finale I think. It was one of the BEST SONGS OF THE NIGHT. It started with an instrumental version of the song done on the violin by Caitlin Evanson. She was joined on stage by some pretty awesome ballerinas. Taylor and the male ballerina acted out the song when she finally came on but the other dancers were really really talented at ballet, which was amazing since they were doing all kinds of other stuff the song before. Her dress was beautiful. The song was inspiring and beautiful. It was really one of the coolest parts of the show. 

There's some ballerina in the way -- but this Taylor and the lead male ballerina that acted it out with her.

9. Better Than Revenge 

-- I don't approve of the message or the angriness or the creative name-calling, but as far as songs go -- it's pretty catchy and awesome to watch. She was dressed in red and there was all kinds of angry red light aflashin'. Good times.

10. Haunted 

--This was probably my second favorite song of the night. It's AWESOME. It starts with bells -- like Liberty Bell size bells coming up from under the stage. Taylor, Liz and Caitlin go crazy hitting them dramatically with hammers and it sounds great. Then the bells just keep on rising, song starts and other awesome thing are happening. Then the bells are all the way in the air and BAM -- acrobatic dancer people drop down from the bells... It's SO COOL. Then there are dancing and there dancers on the ground. The music is hitting it's climax and the dancers on the ground somehow get up with the acrobatic dancers. ... It's a sight to see. And then at the very end, Taylor goes down for a costume change underneath one of the bells as it goes down below the stage again...... It's so cool. 

Please note the giant bell that is hiding a dancer! 

11. Last Kiss 

-- This she did from the rotating tree I think. There was a harp playing back on the stage which was really cool addition to the song.

Her rotating tree.

***Also done from the rotating tree: Fearless with a ukelele, and a cover of Neon Trees "Animal," which she did really really well -- when she sang the Neon Trees song the lights of the tree changed to a Neon Blue. Pretty cool you know?

12. Long Live

-- Taylor did this one near the end. She featured each of her band members -- which is appropriate for the song. It was really fun and great. They all came out to the front part of the stage and sang from there. So cute. 

For her finale was off the wall. She came back and sang a couple of songs -- I think one was 'Fifteen.' One was off her bonus tracks, but I suggest you look it up on the Youtube because it's great. It's called 'Ours.' The finale finale was 'Love Story' which WAS AWESOME. She got into a flying balcony and floated over the crowd, while she sang.

 See what I mean about dreaming big -- who thinks of these things and actually gets to do them?

OVERALL -- GREAT SHOW. Buy tickets everyone -- definitely worth it.