"For your eyes only!"

Remember doing this?!?

Writing secret notes to a friend or crush and then folding them like this? 

Or better yet, into a heart?!

 

i do.

Sometimes I wish we could go back to this instead of texting. It's way more thoughtful and romantical. ahh Middle School Days.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.. Mmmm Fall!

I made these delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies tonight from here. The recipe is super simple to follow. I did the "small fry" batch and it made 36 good sized cookies which was way more than I planned. Good news with these is that you probably have most of the stuff in your cupboards already. I just needed the can of pumpkin and the chocolate chips :)

Source: howdoesshe.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Tip--these cookies spread out pretty nicely as they bake. If you don't have one of those fancy cookie scoopers, you can just use a smaller spoon and plop it right onto the pan! oh, and I only had to cook mine for 11 minutes...so just watch your first batch :)


What a festive treat! I love Fall!!


here's one thing I want to know though--why is pumpkin spice scented candles my favorite and I love pumpkin drinks and foods but canned pumpkin smells like complete crap? ew. who knows.

Wednesday's Witty Words of the Week

“I didn’t even know Deena wore underwear to be honest with you.”
–Ronnie, Jersey Shore
How can you forget the episode this season where she forgot to put them on before going to the club?  You can't tell me that was the only time it happened.
"I see kookah!"  ew.


"It's better than Midgets...."
-Easton
bahahahahhahahahaha--If you only knew what he was comparing it to. "No. No, it's not any better. It's way worse:" Weirdo!


"We're going to the mall."-Sam to the parking guy
"uh...we don't have a mall here." -Parking Guy
"I mean, we're going to the movies." -Sam
oh the things you do so you don't have to pay for parking. ha!


"What grade are you in?"
-girl to a college student.
How do you answer a question like that when you are in your upper level courses of college?  "uhh...4th grade, actually. Thanks for asking. You?" no.


"Carli....I want Carli!"
-Pretty much every employee at the Haunted Circus
Why was it so funny that everyone kept giving the workers Carli's name?  Because they would chase after her and call her by name all creepy like and she would FREAK.  Uh. it really was creepy come to think of it..Sorry, Carli!

"How come you no tell me?"
-Sam in his Chinese accent.
He joked around with this accent for almost 20 minutes on the car ride to the Haunted Circus and he's actually really good. Good thing he stopped when he pulled up to the oriental guy that was working the parking lot. I would have been so embarrassed.


"Change of plans.  I'm coming over so we can talk."
-Easton
What can we say?  We like to stay in the know and sometimes texting and phone calls don't cut it!

"Get it, Girrrrl."
-Crazy, drunk girl I made friendly with at In-N-Out.
I don't know why these people find the need to always talk to me everywhere I go, but I can't help but respond and make friends with them.  They're funny.


"Stop it Jenn. You're really creeping me out."
-Liz
Rude Liz.  Maybe that is really how I laugh.  "Don't be scared" *insert creepy tone of voice*


“Seeing Nicole clean is like seeing Mike with a condom. It just doesn’t happen.”
–Vinny
haha. This just proves how disgusting the Situation really is and how lazy and dirty Snooki probably is.  yuck.

"I'm really craving my blood bag right now."
-My visiting teaching partner
There are some things you should really clarify during the Halloween season before people, who already thing you are a little weird, freak out and jump to the conclusion that you are a vampire. Maybe I've seen too many episodes of the Vampire Diaries? Idk. But really.  Tell me it's candy first. ok?!

I used to have a cat named Kisser...random facts

I had a nice little chat with my mom the other day about kissing.  It may or may not had to do with the fact that I "accidentally" walked in on someone sucking face.  Basically, it was one of the funniest conversations I had with my mom this week.

My mom's response was something like this--"ugh! are you serious?!?" *insert tone of disgust*

My relpy--"So you're saying that you and Dad didn't make out when you were dating? PUH-LEASE. bahahahaha"

We both laughed, because even though I didn't know the mid 20's version of my mom, I know her now.  I don't know any other way to break it down for you besides the fact that the madre is obsessed with Edward Cullen and all things teen romance and shares my same love for good looking male celebs. Guaranteed she did her fair share of kissing at our age. Guaranteed. 

I guess Moms just don't like the idea of their babies kissing boys/girls.  Who knew?  I now think it's funny and will be sure to make a point of bringing it up to my mom more often simply for her reactions.

bahahahahahaha I was going to end there, but I was looking for a kissy picture to put on on this post and I found some statistics about kissing and I couldn't help but share a couple of the ones I found...interesting:

On the average, a person spends 20,160 minutes (two weeks) of his/her life on kissing.

this one made me laugh. really?!

It is thought that men who kiss their wives goodbye before going to work live five years longer than those who just slam the door. Men of the latter category are said to be more prone to traffic accidents.

LOL.. Ok. I'm not sure how they came of up with this one BUT I don't mind it at all.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I will use that against my husband if I get married. "Dude, don't you walk out that door before kissing me, or else...*insert randomly awesome/probably not true statistic*." classic threat. But in all seriousness, my dad never leaves the house for work without kissing my mom.  So, if that means 5 more years added to his life, then heck yes for kissing! woot, woot.  So men you have a choice--kiss your wives, or live in fear of traffic accidents forever. Take your pick.  [redic.]

According to U.S. statistics, an American woman would kiss an average of 80 men before she gets married.

What the H?!  ummm.. Ladies.  I don't know about you.  But I'm a little [I mean,  A LOT] behind.  What I want to know is what kind of sleaze ball had such outrageous numbers to offset the curve like that? And how wouldn't you lose track after 25 or so?  I mean, get real.

Weekends give us something to talk about :)

You probably didn't notice, but I have been a little blog-absent this last week and super uncreative.  I'm not sure what the deal is. I think it has to do with the fact that I have been staying out way too late, waking up really early, playing love doctor and life coach for multiple people, and just staying really busy.  But those things are normal these days.  I guess I just haven't really had much to say. Shocker, right? 

Good news is that the weekend always brings up things worth talking about. Like:

1.) I've decided that I really dislike little monkeys.  We watched a video on youtube of two little monkeys swimming in the bathtub and I seriously thought I would have nightmares after watching it.  The idea of something like that running around a house and jumping AT everything, quite frankly gives me the creeps. *Shiver*

2.) I dreamt about little puppies last night after looking them up for hours with [N] and [S]. If they could promise me that teacup puppies wouldn't get much bigger than their cute itty-bitty stage then I would go against everything I've ever believed about indoor dogs, move out of my apt and buy one. And name him Dash.  Probably won't happen, but the idea sounds a little magical.

OMG, right? I want, I want!

*my birthday is Nov. 29th* Wink Wink :)

3.) I still have a horrible fear of little people--meaning kids. Ok. Maybe just kids in haunted houses who chase me. Like, where are your parents, child? And why the H are they letting you work at the Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus? Beyond me.

4.) I don't have very much patience for people who don't tell it like it is to people who matter. Like today. If you want to go and do something and you don't think that people are going to take it very well...who cares.  Just do it and tell them what's up. Don't stretch the truth, omit things or whatever lame excuse you convinced yourself is justified; just tell it like it is.  In the end, being shady about things only does more damage and it makes you look a little dumb.  

5.) If you don't want people wondering what is up with you or talking about you then don't give them reasons to!

6.) I got home from church today and was super annoyed for a few reasons.  Without details I will just say that I also don't have patience with stupidity.  It's like, "hold on.  you're being dumb. Don't talk to me for a minute."  and then I cool down and we're all good.

7.) I went to my first ReAl soccer game with Sam, Cole and Megan yesterday.  I thought that I would hate it but it was actually a good time!  Churros, people lighting flares in the stadium seating (idiots), Confetti when we scored, people screaming and jumping around a lot and playing the drums, Spanish things...haha it was a surprising good time.  I couldn't go too many more times but I enjoyed it.  But what the ending in a tie game?! Freaking LAME! Soccer is weird a little.

8.) I might seem heartless as of late, but really, I will do anything for someone I love. If that means doing something that might not be taken well or something that might be a little uncomfortable or make me look like a bad person, I don't care. I will do it for a loved one because I want them to be happy plain and simple.  

9.) You will be rewarded for good deeds.  Ok, so Sam did all the good deeds this weekend, I just reaped the rewards.  Hello, free $20 haunted circus ticket!  (ok, I will add that I had two extra tickets for the Fun./Steel Train concert last October because two of my friends from out of town couldn't make it and I gave them both away for free [$45 value] because at the time I didn't know ANYONE else in Utah).  So maybe it was just roll-over rewards from that one time, just a year later? Whatever the case, I was stoked about it.  "OH YEAH. FREE STUFF, YEAH."

10.) I'm not very tolerant of physical pain.  Actually, I'm recently kind of a baby when it comes to it.  In fact, I kind of want my mom right now. [You hear that madre? Come. like nowish. Bring Mason.] 

Wednesday's Witty Words of the Week

Bieberization vs. Beaverization
-Modern Family
I would just type it out but you have to hear Gloria say it to "understand." I love how confident she is about something so ridiculous.







"Basically you're going to die when you go in there."
-Creepy worker at the entrance of Nightmare on 13th
That's not what you're supposed to tell someone who just admitted that she is afraid of a lot of different things. ie-clowns, dark/enclosed spaces, cannibals, kids with black hair....haha. But we got a laugh out of him. What a creeper.


"I'll admit it, I'm turned on by powerful women: Michelle Obama, Oprah, Condoleezza Rice, Serena Williams...Wait a minute."
-Phil, Modern Family
LOL.


"That looks like _____!"
-Sam in reference to the creepy worker with crazy hair at Nightmare on 13th
hahaha. I'll admit that it's probably not nice to say that someone you know looks like the crazy/creepy child in a haunted house.  But... if it's actually kind of true, it's freakin' hilarious!

"I need to start getting clothes for my fall wardrobe but EVERYTHING at JCPenny's right now makes me want to BARF!"

-Girl from my ward/New Linger Longer committee member
I'm not sure what handicap she has but she's a special girl and she's super loud and super funny. She followed me around all day at Church on Sunday and I even drove her home. Now that she's new to my Linger Longer committee, it looks like we'll become good friends.


"Bishops have longer ears than you think."
-Guy from my ward/New Linger Longer committee member
Again this kid is "special" too. The bishopric must think that I'm really patient or they are trying to teach my patience or something because they hit me with both of them in one week.  But he's fun to joke around with.  He told Sam that he needed to be careful doing whatever he was doing because he might fall on top of me.  Of course, not paying attention to who was around or where I was (church), I replied, "Ohhh, I wouldn't mind" in the *wink, wink* kind of way. The kid picked up what I was saying. How? idk.  I think he meant to say that the Bishop had better ears, not longer, saying that I needed to watch my mouth. omg, so funny and awkward.  Sam and I both went on to correct him. "Longer ears?! Can he throw them over his shoulder like a continental soldier?" HA! Patience. and Watching my mouth. Both things I should work on this week :)

“I can lose weight for free. You need about $10,000 to fix your face.”
-Deena, Jersey Shore
She actually makes sense!  haha. #meatballpower

Sure, I'll marry you, let's go."
-Beetlejuice character, [in a creepy Beetlejuice voice] at the Haunted Hallow
I was wearing a cardigan that looked just like his jacket so I figured it only made sense for us to get married. He agreed.  Don't worry, no beetle-babies in the near future.  I peaced out real quick

"Do you know what this means?!" *insert action*
-Nieko after everyone else was quizzing each other on g-rated sign language words at Sonic.
hahaha. He would. He did. It was funny."

"Neck-freeze!"
I don't think I will ever live that one down. But they're real, I swear. To the people who made fun of me--I pray you never have to know that pain! haha.

It's That Time.

Why does time go by so fast?  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was planning my trip to New York and then all of a sudden the trip came, it went, and then I was sad because it was over and didn't have any trips to look forward too. (yet.)  Weekends are just the same.  Friday comes and it's like, "Oh yeah, party yeah, it's the weekend, yeaaaah" only to have two late/but super short nights of fun and then it's over and back to work on Monday morning. What. a. rip-off. 

Oh, and don't even get me started on my nephew Mason and how he's getting so big and because I live in Utah and he lives in Idaho I don't get to see him very often. Again, another rip-off. gah. At least I get to "talk" to him everyday.  [One word, Jamie--SKYPE.]

Speaking of time.  My horoscope says that today would be a good day to think through complex ideas and formulate plans for the future.  My response?:


"BUT I DON'T WANNA!" *Insert pouty lip*


Dear life/future, can't I just be comfortable for a little bit longer before making big future plans and changes?  Pretty please!?

One of my friends and I stayed up super late Saturday night talking about the future and I'm thinking it's time to starting BS-ing and figuring out what's next. I'm not really sure what that will be yet, but it's about that time to get my act together and get it going.  I'll keep you posted. But if you have any suggestions feel free to drop me a note :)

In the meantime, here are some things I learned from my super quick weekend:

1.) I like being in the "know" but there are somethings that I would rather not know. But you can't just "unknow" something... Unless you have that thing-ga-ma-jig from Men In Black. But that's not real. darn.

2.) Things probably aren't as dramatic as they seem.

3.) Everyone has some kind of secret(s). Big or small. You don't have to tell anyone if you don't want too, but it's the people you trust with your secrets that you know are the real keepers.

4.) You don't have to be friends with everyone.  If you don't like the way someone acts, then don't hang out with them.  Don't fake it. Don't hide it. Don't feel bad. It doesn't always make you or the other person bad; it just means that you are being real and facing the fact that you just might not have much in common. Just don't be mean about it.


5.) I'm getting really good and staying up late.  I'm talking about the "staying up until 4 in the morning just because" kind of late. But man, do I love sleep.

6.) Sometimes Heavenly Father sends us comfort and answers through people we barely know. [Thank you girl in my ward for giving me one of the nicest, most sincere compliments yesterday about something I still struggle with believing.  I take back every bratty thing I thought about you and the fact that you choose to not have a cell phone making it extremely frustrating to connect with you for Linger Longer crap.  really. Thanks!]

7.) Even though I'm known to get [a little bit] scared in Haunted Houses, I really do enjoy them. I think I just love the atmosphere and the good times with friends. It's not October without going to one. Or, if you're like us, two in one weekend! Word to the wise if you are in the area--stay clear of the Haunted Hallow.  Nightmare on 13th is where it's at :)

8.) I forgot how much I loved Ja Rule's voice until recently. Really though. Ghetto-Sexy.




9.) Attention world, It's not news that I'm "cursed" with BGFS (Best "girl friend" syndrome). It's real. Deal with it. It doesn't bother me at all, just stop asking me about it, k?! I don't ask you about your diseases or problems. Why? Because it's rude. hahaha j/k but really. Can't home girl just be cool and kick it with the boys and give them advice about other girls without people telling me that it's not "normal" to just be close friends? Puhlease. I'm good at it, so let me be good at it! I guess I just don't do "normal."

10.) Um.. how did the Holidays come so quickly.  Halloween, Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas...all equal junk food/treat city.  Kill me now!

Just a few quotes :)

 

"It doesn't matter, it's in the past!"

Last night some friends and I decided to go and see the Lion King in 3D.  I hadn't seen that movie since I was little but I remember watching it a lot.  What I don't remember is all of the great life lessons that are in it and how funny it is.


Not kidding. I admit that I am 23, almost 24 [*CHOKE*] and I found myself relating to the Lion King...


I won't go into a big old boring post about my feelings and what I've been going through the last few days [whaaaa whaaaa. boring] but I will say that this part in the Lion King made me want to jump out of my seat, thrust my fist in the air and shout, "I can do this!"



The past can hurt, but you shouldn't run from it, dwell on it, or let it stop you from being happy or having all of the the things that you want and deserve. You learn from the past so you don't have to keep hurting.

"It doesn't matter, it's in the past!"
Listen to the monkey; It doesn't matter. It's the past--It's done!  So find peace with your situation [whatever it is], face the facts, decide for yourself what is best, apologize, delete playlists, take down pictures, meet new people...do whatever you've got to do so that you can live your life in the now and be happy :)

Thank you Disney for helping me through this week!    

Wednesday's Witty Words of the Week

Alright.  So I've been on a trip all week/recovering from the trip which means that I've been away from my computer and completely out of "blogger mode."  Not to mention that most of the funniest things I can remember that happened or were said in the last week were a little inappropriate. But what's new? So, here's just a couple and I will mix in some of the funny topics so at least the people I was with will get a little laugh.

"Did you just get that hat?"
-Jet Blue flight attendant
hahaha he was totally having a "mean girl" moment.  You know the kind.  Where you ask about something that is ridiculous and then you tell them it looks nice because you don't know what to say and then laugh like crazy behind person's back. It's super rude but I think we've all done it before. right? please say the Jet Blue guy, Regina George  and I aren't the only ones.

Really big Water Bottles...

"Please leave extra chocolate. Yummy. Thanks!"
-Nieko
He really did leave a note on the bed asking the 'turn-down' service at the hotel to leave extra chocolates on the bed.  Did they?  Yes.

'Don't touch me there, or else' comments...

"Shut up--you're coming."
-Nieko
This has become a common phrase he says to me. And for some reason, I always end up laughing and then listening to him.  The kid is too persuasive. That's it.  Next time I'm not listening.  Do you hear that {N}?! haha jk

New Yorkers and the 'F word'...

" Cool, history, boooo. You know, like, I’m not into geography anymore; give me wine."
-Snooki
?? lol. Sometimes I wonder where this girl comes from.

Rude ladies who work at the booth in the Subway, with accents you can't understand, who deserve being called a bad name...

"I was just wondering what life would be like if we hadn't met you."
-Easton.
Ok. Can you say presh?

Blood.

Seriously. This segment is getting harder to complete each week.  But please note that I've done it for 10 weeks straight now! Yay me :)

The beyond long Journal Entry of my NYC trip Fall 2011 :)

As I type it's late afternoon, I'm back from NYC in my little apartment in Utah lounging on the couch in my newly purchased H&M sleeper jumpsuit that I've slept in for the second night in a row [don't judge.  I'm obsessed], feeling gross but not caring just yet, catching up on my DVR shows, doing laundry and quite frankly, just being lazy and loving it.


I'm not even sure if I can do this trip justice because we had such a good time but I will try to give you a little taste of it mostly for personal journaling purposes so I can always remember the things I did while I was in NYC!


First, I will say that my advice to anyone who is planning a trip with friends, especially to a big city like NYC is to make sure you are going with the right people.  For me this go around? Mission accomplished.  Seriously.


Good friends+NYC= Good times and great memories.  I don't care if you've known your friends for a year, or 10 years... go on a trip with them across the country and you'll learn something about each person that you didn't know before.  It's so fun.


Day one-
We knew that taking the Red Eye flight and arriving in NYC at 6 in the morning basically meant that we wouldn't be getting any sleep and boy were we right.  But don't worry.  It only helped us adjust to the New York time that much quicker. Despite the lack of sleep [I think I managed to fit in maybe an hour on the plane] we were still chipper as we got off the plane and headed for the subway.  That is until we heard Cole say, "Wait, where is my back pack?"


SUPER long story short..  we figured out that he must have left it on the air train at JFK.  At this point we had left the airport and were ready to board the subway and only had 1 hour to get to Manhattan, leave our bags at the hotel and make it to the Top of the Rock for the time we had purchased our tickets for.  Not gunna lie, I had a mini heart attack.  Not because his jeans and new Nike's were in the bag but because his passport was in there.  And since he only has his Canadian license still (since he hasn't taken care of that yet) he needed that passport to get home at the end of the weekend.  Nieko, the rational one, assured us that there was nothing we could do until we got to the hotel and we could make the phone calls then.  We, I mean I, did just that.


We were able to rush to the Top of the Rock even though the guy at the hotel said that getting there in 15 minutes was pushing it.  OK, maybe it was pushing it for someone who didn't know where they were going but we had Nieko with us who seriously was our personal tour guide around town.  The kid's got skills and he got us there just in time.  I was dripping with sweat from rushing and panicking about the lost luggage and such but I was able to breathe when we finally got to the top and saw this--Our first real view of NYC:

The Empire State Building... the City...

 ..Central Park.  It was all breathtaking!

I'm really glad that we went to the Top of the Rock right off the bat.  If we didn't, I don't think I would have really been able to understand how big everything really is there.  Just walking around Time Square you know that everything is big but when you see the whole picture it's just ...wow. Absolutely gorgeous.


We spent the rest of the first morning making a stop at the Today Show [Al is so short and we didn't see any celebs. but it was really cool just being there] checking into the hotel, handling the back pack issue (THANK GOODNESS it was turned in), eating pizza, and riding the subway all the way back to JFK for the second time to pick up said bag.  Even though I was tired and super frustrated with the whole situation, I couldn't help but be grateful for people who are honest and turn things in and for patient friends. We really didn't let that put a damper on the rest of the day.  The boys and I decided that we would make a stop at Grand Central Station just so we can say we'd been.  It really is so big and hello! Do you know how many movies have scenes that take place here? Idk an exact number but it's a lot.  So that was cool!

After that it was on to more exploring.  We ate hot dogs on the street, got the cutest baby cupcakes, walked around a section of the huge Macy's, found Madison Square Gardens, and took a rest on the steps of the huge public library.  We rested our feet--Easton rested his eyes.  (No joke. The kid can sleep anywhere). By that time it was evening and we were exhausted.  I mean, we were running on pretty much zero sleep. So we took a little nap and then got ourselves up and ready for dinner at Juniors across the street from our hotel and then of course we did some exploring.  We walked by the Late Night Show, down 5th Ave, stopped by the Apple Store and just browsed around.  It was a long first day and we were surprised that we were able to stay up as long as we did. Oh and these two people who said they were from "E" had us sing a song for them about peace and togetherness.  Did we stay and do it? yes.   Where they really from E?  Idk.  But they had a guy with a legit camera and they seemed legit so we went with it! haha.


**Intermission** Sorry.  I had to stop for a while for a break and to shower. We did so much day one. 


Day two-
We got up early (not early enough for Easton to get his free continental breakfast at the hotel. Sorry, Easton) and headed across the Brooklyn Bridge.  Walking across the bridge was so cool!  I just loved seeing all of the buildings, the statue of liberty from afar, the water.. it was all so neat.  But the bridge was super long.  I'm pretty sure I pulled a muscle in my leg on day one and it wasn't just a little ouchie.  It KILLED. I know I complained about it a lot on the trip but that's only because I really felt like I really wanted to cut my leg off.  haha. Not kidding.  But I pushed through it.  I mean, it's not like I was going to let that stop me from seeing everything. Get real.


We got across the bridge and found Grimaldi's pizza. omg.  The food is so good and popular that we got there at about noon and had to wait in line for like 30 minutes or more just to get seated inside the tiny restaurant.

Don't worry.  This was the small pizza and we got a large one also.  Not a piece of that pizza was left.  Totally worth it.  I swear NYC is the one place you can eat pizza 3 times in 4 days (not kidding..the boys wanted it for lunch everyday) and not feel bad about it because you walk a billion miles everyday and because it's thin crust.  I don't regret all of the pizza eating one bit.  It was so good!


We then hopped on the subway that spit us out right where they are building the new World Trade Center Buildings.  Even though we couldn't get tickets to see ground zero, it was just really cool being there and looking at the new building being built and the new preview site and taking some time to remember what happened there only 10 years ago...


The main part of the rest of the day was spent in China town.  Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a little weird when it comes to things like drive through windows, yard sales or dealing with certain people or weird situations.  It's like the DI.  I just try to avoid it because I know I will feel uncomfortable.  Not sure why.  I just do.  I knew that China Town was going to be interesting for me because, well, you can't have any of those issues when it comes to China Town.  It's strictly business there. It's everything I expected it to be but not how I expected to react.  I honestly didn't think I would be able to let myself purchase anything because I would be too uncomfortable.  I even told the boys that's how I would be. Yes, I was uncomfortable a few times.  I mean, being led into a Dunkin' Donuts in China town so some guy can bring in Rolex's for you to look at or looking at knock off purses on paper and having it ripped out of my hand because the cops were passing by... yeah, it got a little interesting but I surprisingly didn't have a panic attack! Yay me.  But I found one lady that I kept handing money in exchange for some sweet jewelry, which I love.  Next time, now that I know what to expect, I would probably be able to buy more things!  But I'm proud of the little bag of jewelry I walked away with; it was a big step for me:) haha

That night we decided to go to a nice Greek restaurant called Dafni's.  It was probably our favorite food of the vacay.  [Fab pick, Neiko]!  We shopped some more.  Got shakes at the Shake Shack and walked around Time Square.  Again, we made it through another long day.  At the end of the night there was a guy outside of the hotel who was doing these really cool pictures of the city with spray paint.  Maybe it was the fumes but I was so obsessed with how cool the paintings were and how he was so talented and doing them RIGHT in front of our eyes in less then 5 minutes that I had him do one for me in Black and White.  I can't wait to hang it up in my apartment; It's so cool!  I got my painting from the guy and decided to sit outside with Easton and Nieko to let the fumes kind of fade away.


I must have breathed the fumes in a little too much or something because when we got back to the hotel I was a little cuckoo.  But I wasn't the only one.  The rest of the night consisted of dancing and joking around, laughing really hard and me, Easton and Nieko making funny noises.  Well, Easton fell asleep really fast when we got into bed and I had to explain to him the next day that he didn't understand sleep over rules because you have to warn people when you are going to fall asleep so people, (ie-Nieko) don't try talking to you when you are already asleep!  omg.  So funny..


Day Three-


We will just call this the day of shopping because we really did shop the entire day.  We walked around 5th avenue, went into a bunch of fancy stores..it was great! I'm so glad I went with boys who like to shop.  Yes, it was a different experience being the only girl in the group but I love shopping for boys and giving my opinion so it was a good time even though it would have been more ideal in a wheel chair. jk.  My right leg just KILLED!


I really loved our stop in Central Park.  We sat on top of a huge rock and just looked around and took it all in.  You know how I am with trees and plants.. I'm super weird and I just love them.  So the whole sight was just breath taking.  I really think that if I lived there I would go to Central park often and just walk around or just sit and think.  It was a perfect sunny day too which added to the greatness of it all!

OH, and let's not forget that we made a stop at the toy store FAO Schwarz.  Seriously, that place is bomb!

We all bought Marvin's Magic Drawing boards and well, let's just say they bought them for kids and I bought one for us big kids!  I really couldn't help but want to work in a toy store after going there.  I wanted to adopt a baby doll, the magician guy was blowing my freaking mind and the big piano was saweeet! And really, those are just a FEW reasons why I think working at a Toy Store would be the best job every.  The end.


haha. Just kidding.  But really. Forget Toys R Us.


We decided that we would go to Little Italy for dinner on our last night in the City.  We took the subway a little too far and boy was that an interesting experience.  Creepy a little.  You know those movies where they show how some of the people are on the Subways?  Well, they don't really exaggerate.  People really are that crazy.  One day we saw a man that was completely doped up and passed out holding this big wad of cash. Weird.  And on our last night there (when we went a little too far on the train) there was this old women who had this fugly hat pulled down over her eyes that was so drunk she spilled her beer on a bunch of skate boarding kids and the old asian boarder man that was with them.   haha.  It was one of those moments that you want to just bust up laughing but you aren't sure what will happen to you if you do so you just look away.  omg.


Getting a little turned around in China town that late at night was a little unsettling. Note--Don't smile at the random guy in the white BMW in China Town.  He'll probably creepily stare you down until you are out of sight. *shiver* haha. But when we finally found Little Italy I felt much better.  We ate some yummy pasta at Da Nico's and stopped for some gelato on the way out.  SO good :)


Again, coming back to the hotel at night after another exhausting day was interesting.  It was just like a slumber party.  Going out late to get candy, Nieko crawling because his feet hurt, the boys making me put on my H&M "onesie" (as they call it) and snooki glasses and having me wear it all the way up and down the elevator with them. HA! Embarrassing. And then eating so much candy that we laugh so hard and then crash.


Day 4--


Needless to say, we slept in a little on the last day.  For some reason my alarm clock didn't go off which means that no one got up because I was on wake up duty all weekend.  BUT I did get a great night of sleep and was ready in time to check out of the hotel to finish up our last day.


We decided to get our souvenir shopping done and to check out Wall Street to wrap up the trip.  We really only had a few hours but it was cool being on Wall Street and seeing some of the things that we hoped we would see but weren't sure if we would have time!


When it was time to get our bags to head back to the airport, it was a little sad.  I mean, my body was tired but I had such a fun trip that I didn't want to come home and back to real life and to COLD Utah.  I also didn't want to sit on another 4 hour plane ride where I wouldn't get any sleep.  But actually the plane ride home was so much fun!


There was a guy sitting in front of us that still had the piece of cardboard in his hat that is meant to be removed when you purchase it.  How did we know this?  Because it was completely hanging out the side of his hat!! Nieko and I were dying.  It was so funny.  Like, how do you not feel that thing inside of your hat?  Nieko kept making me take pictures of it. haha. He even took Cole's hat and stuck a napkin in it and was having me take more pictures of him with the guy. I was dying. And this was just before take off!  Even the two male flight attendants came up and saw it and were laughing.  Of course we laughed too and showed them the funny pictures we took.  I must have forgotten that I was wearing my snooki sunglasses with the chain (I had a headache from the lights) and one of the guys kept saying "omg, those are the fliest glasses I've ever seen!" and then proceeded to take them and give me his glasses to wear.  haha it was so funny!  Later he came back, kneeled next to me and asked "How old are you hunny, and don't lie!" I told him and then he asked how old Nieko and Easton were.  My first thought was, "Oh great he likes one of them.. but instead he asked if we wanted free cocktails!  Seriously.  Leave it to me to make friends where ever I go. hahaha jk.  But really.  The same guy even came up to serve drinks to the guy with the hat and said, "Oh, is that a new hat!?" I was thinking that he would tell him about the cardboard sticking all the way down his neck but he then said, "Oh wow! It's nice!" and then walked away busting up laughing.


 Omg.  It was a fun flight home.  We were even able to watch most of the Jersey Shore we missed and real Housewives of NJ and the movie Scream.  I feel asleep for a little bit of scream but was woken up by Nieko turning up my TV volume.  He told me it was an accident but later confessed that he just wanted me to wake up so he could guess the killer. haha oh, Neiko.


I know this post was super long and that I left out a lot of the little funny happenings but I wanted to make this post more like a journal entry so I could remember all of the details because honestly, this was such a good trip!  I'm so glad I was able to go with such great friends and my brother.  I can't wait to go back.  Or just on another trip.


Bahamas anyone? haha.

Wednesday's Witty Words of the Week

"I've never been so jealous about someone going on a trip. Like, it hurts."
-Jordon in reference to our NYC trip
She was so serious too. haha. Oh Jord!

"I feel like I need to change myself to get married, I swear."
-Snooki, JS
Poor Snooki.  You shouldn't change yourself for anyone! Well, maybe just the "dancing around the club with your goods out" part would be worth changing in order to marry the kid. idk? If Jionni was like everyone else around here, he would just go for someone who is super young and without a backbone because they are moldable.   [haha. I'm not bitter. It's just true!]

"It's like Ham Flavored Gum...NBD." -Mandy
*Pause...look of confusion*... "Don't you mean, HBD?" -Me
I'm seriously so dumb.  If she was really trying to do the short version of Ham Flavored Gum it would be HFG. Sometimes I don't think. really. But it was like 2 in the morning or something. Sue me.

"Let's go Salsa Dancing!"
-Willy
BAHAHAHA. Oh Willy.  I appreciate the "creative ideas" but do you remember who you're talking too? Oh yeah, that's right. Me and Nieko. oh, I Love it.

"You're going to have a new....Sister!" -Text from Cole
"WTF? You better mean mom's prego." -Me.
Come to find out..SOMEONE had gotten ahold of Cole's phone. Pranks that almost give you a heart attack are NOT cool. haha. Seriously.

 "We don't want to be mean, we just don't want you to be yourself...in any way."
-Schmidt, The New Girl
His character is so funny.  This part had me laughing so hard! {"No prop teeth at the wedding!"}

"Brownie stealing bastards!"
-Nieko
I still can't get over the fact that an old man at his work ate his half-eaten brownie in one bite and didn't even say anything about it when he asked where his brownie went. Who does that?! hahaha.

Schmidt, New Girl:"Who let the dirty slut out of the slut house?"
Jess' response [in a British accent]: "Probably the slut butler, right!?"
hahaha. If you didn't catch last night's episode of the New Girl.  You need to.  It was so funny. I have to believe that Zooey Dechanel is this quirky in real life.  We would proabably be best friends.  She's hilarious!

"Why would I want to watch 'I Am Number 4' if I haven't seen 'I Am Number 1, 2 or 3'?"
-Mandy
Forgive her.  She's Canadian. haha.

Well homies, I'm off for a few days.  We're taking off for NYC late tonight! I can't believe it's already here.  The whole trip should be...well, interesting.  Let's just say I can already tell it's going to be one of the most "unique" friend trips I've ever been on. Ever. I don't really know what to expect from the whole trip and that's why I'm so excited about it.
I'm sure I will have some really good stories when I get back.  Guaranteed.

Wish me luck!
Until monday...:)

DB Jar

Before I start.  If you get offended by the term "Douche bag" or you don't think it's funny...please do us both a favor and stop reading now.

Since summer ended we've been spending a lot more time at my apartment. In fact, we hung out there every night this weekend. I'm not not sure what it is but many times it ends up being just me and the boys. This weekend consisted of making random foods super late at night [including bacon that didn't taste like bacon, biscuits and honey and jiffy pop], watching Ridiculousness [a new fave], and random conversations [per usual]. With us, you never know what is going to come out of our mouths...

After the hilarious introduction of the "Douche Bag Jar" on the TV show the 'New Girl', which I've told you I love, I'm starting to think that it's only appropriate that I start one of these especially with all the funny things that are said at my place.  Plus, the sheer idea of having a Dbag Jar in my house, even if it only collects a dollar or two, quite frankly makes me laugh. a lot. out loud.

Source: theberry.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Want one? Here's how it works.
Like a swear jar but for douchey comments. We all know a swear jar wouldn't work at my apartment but a Dbag one? We could have some fun with it--not that I would consider any of our crew to be true DB's. not even. But sometimes things just slip out, you know? And what's more fun than making a collective agreement to call someone out for saying something douchey?! really.

The Rules.
When anyone of your friends who've agreed to the rules of the DBJ say a douche based comment, anyone in the apartment at that time can call out the said 'Dbag-comment-maker', or DBCM for short, by saying, "put a dollar in the Douchebag Jar" or "You. Dollar. Dbag Jar. Now" or simply "DBAG.." while pointing at the jar repeatedly.

The DBCM must immediately put a dollar in the jar. or at least a DB-IOU.

Once the jar is full, you then use the money to take out all the friends who agreed to the terms of the DBJ to ice cream, drinks, or whatever you collectively decide on.  

Note--you wouldn't normally call a girl a DB but in this case--girls count too.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of the DBJ.  I'm pretty sure the jar could have collected a few bucks this weekend if we had one started.

If you make a DBJ for your place--PLEASE, for the love, share a picture of your jar or at least leave some of the comments of called-out douchebaggery below :)

Fall Snack :)

Well I gave in; I put up some Halloween decorations today! 

Mandy and I even decided to make a fall treat :)

Peanut Butter popcorn from here!

Source: thekitchn.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

The recipe is super simple to make and absolutely delicious.  Like, it should be a sin for junk food to taste this good.

*Tips--We used regular microwave popcorn (light butter) since that is all that we had and it worked great.  Just be sure to sift out all of the unpopped kernels.  We also added some Canadian Chocolate to it which made it 100 times better.   We crunched up Smarties (Mandy says they are the "real M&M's") a Caramilk Bar and a Mr. Big Bar.  Basically in America that would be something like M&M's, Hershey's Carmel Kisses and uhh.. Nothing here really tastes like the wafer/chocolaty goodness of a Mr. Big bar.  Mmm.. Really you can put any chocolate in it and you will L-O-V-E it.  Just crunch it up and mix it in!

Here's what ours turned out like.  Haha. So, the picture isn't profesh but we put the pumpkin next to it to win some points.  Did it work? Just kidding.

If you make it, let me know what you think.  Happy October!

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints :)

I love everything about General Conference.  On Saturday morning Mandy and I were able to go.  Little did we know that the tickets she received from her friend were BEYOND close.  We were past the roped off area in row D!! Like, we didn't have to use the Jumbo screens to see clearly.  Nuts? I think so. 

As we were sitting and waiting for the session to start LOOK who came around to our seating area!  Elder Oaks!!! I was so nervous.  He came and was shaking everyone's hands and I was so far down the row that I felt super embarrassed to push my way through to shake his hand....haha I know.  I'm a weirdo.  But I did have the courage to snap a paparazzi pic.  This isn't zoomed in at all.  AHH so fun.  But now I know what I will be like if I see a real celeb in NYC next week.  hahaha.

Even though I hadn't gone to bed before 2 or 3 in the morning the previous couple of days I managed to roll out of bed early to go to the session with her and I'm so glad I did.  It's always a special experience once you're there.

I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

Believe it or not, the best part of General Conference isn't just lounging around in sweats...it really is all about the wonderful messages!  Once again I've been spiritually fed and heard all of the things that I needed to hear and to work on.  Patience, desire, charity, love, self worth, scripture study, being more kind...the list goes on and on.  I do have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The church is true, people!