lately

i can't believe i'm going to say this, but... i'm liking winter in idaho. it hasn't been bad at all. i work a lot. like, a lot. but i'm not even really that mad about it because i finally have money in the bank. i'm so glad i got to go down to provo to spend time with my cousins for christmas. we had lots of christmas pj days, fondue, movies, and shopping. and we made a trip to temple square to see the christmas lights. it was magical.

brent is here and i'm so very glad. i hadn't seen that boy in four months. we're going to jackson hole on sunday and i've got other things to show him around rexburg. it's been so nice not being entirely alone during winter break. unfortunately he's going home on tuesday :(

and can i just say that the weather has been fantastic? it hasn't snowed once and it's been in the 50's all week. gimme more of that. i guess what i'm trying to say is that being stuck in the iceburg won't be so bad this semester. i'm going to concentrate on work, my friends, and being the best version of myself. maybe i'll have enough to find a new hobby. basketweaving anyone?

a different kind of christmas

this is the first year i haven't been at home for christmas. it was the first christmas eve in over 10 years that i haven't spent at my grandparents house, with all the family (four brothers, one sister, their kids, spouses, and grandkids), enjoying a turkey feast and counting down to the grand opening of presents. it was the first christmas eve i wasn't cuddled with my sister in bed, forcing ourselves to fall asleep. it's the first christmas morning that i didn't send "merry christmas" texts from my new phone, today i'm not going to see a christmas movie with my family.

it's okay though. this christmas i am with the barrows in provo. all i was expecting was a place to go so that i wouldn't have to spend christmas entirely alone. but i've enjoyed so much more. i spent christmas eve at my great uncle and aunt's house with my mom's cousin and all of is kids. we had wasal (some fantastic orange/cinnamon drink), homemade bacon, cheese, potato soup, and homemade treats. there was a visit from santa and a story about ladius, a shepherd boy. there were christmas pajamas (for me too!) and wallets and slippers. there were card games and christmas trivia and lots of family time.

i'm getting to enjoy different family traditions, including homemade cheese balls, waffle breakfasts, and the classic mr. kruger's christmas. it's strange not being home in kansas city with my mom and everyone, and part of me wishes so badly that i was there with them. but part of me is really loving this christmas. a different kind of christmas.

12 days til 2012

about this time last year i made a list of 2010 highlights. and i figured i'd do the same for this year. i can't believe we're so close to the new year. time seriously flies. i don't know where this year has gone.

• i woke up on january 1, 2011 in quito, ecuador (and every day after that for the next 12 weeks)
• i straddled the equator
• i hiked to one of the largest waterfalls in south america
• i met 12 of the best girls i've ever known
• i celebrated valentine's day
• i saw the backstreet boys!
• i got lice
• i sprained my wrist and cut both knees
• i turned 20
• i realized i belonged in ecuador
• i came back to kansas
• i dated ethan tinsley
• i got a job nannying for four different families and loved it
• first holiday back in america
• i was the ctr 7 teacher in the primary in my home ward
• there were devastating tornadoes in joplin, missouri
• i broke up with ethan tinsley
• my family moved to kentucky, so i had a week of guest posts
• i talked about best friends
• i drove all the way from louisburg kansas to provo utah, in one day...
• i saw (AND MET) death cab for cutie
• amy helped me make my very own craft
• i dyed my hair dark and chopped some of it off
• i got accepted to teach english in china
• i went to california and disneyland and the beach!
• i had a three week vacation
• i finally made it back to byui after a 9 month hiatus from school
• kelsey, betsy, and i did a diabetes walk in idaho falls
• i decided not to go teach english in china
• i went to an ecuador reunion and i started working at texas roadhouse
• i went to vegas for jess and kyle's wedding
• i went to kentucky for thanksgiving 
• i watched SIX of my friends get engaged or married... siiiiix
• i finished my fourth semester at byu-idaho

it hasn't been the most exciting year. ecuador was definitely the biggest highlight. 9 months later and i still miss it every single day. i can't wait to find out what 2012 has in store. it better be big.

oh haaaail nah

1. yesterday was allie's last day in rexburg, so we mourned her leaving by getting drinks from horkley's and going shopping at DI. check out the gem of an ugly christmas sweater i bought. i challenge anyone to find one more hideous than that.

2. betsy and i woke up to the note on the left. i would just like to point out that betsy, kelsey and i spent hours cleaning yesterday. hours, my friends, hours. i don't like meaniepants roommates. 

3. i get to spend the next 7 days all alone in my apartment

no me gusta!

this is finals week

wearing tie-dye hoodies to take spanish finals, and damon playing in betsy's snuggie

catching my breath

finals week is coming to close. praise the lord, allah, budah, whoever you worship. this was the hardest semester in my five semesters (unfortunately my grades reflect that) and i've never wanted so badly for it to be over. this is the first second of spare time i've had all week and i'm simply reveling in it.

i wish i was going to kentucky for christmas. but i'm thankful i have a job, and i'm thankful i have a place to live, and i'm thankful i have family in provo who is letting me spend the holidays with them. but most of all i'm just really excited that in just 12 days brent will be here in idaho with me.

no time

i haven't done tumblr thursday in forever, i know. but i just don't have time for it! finals + white glove + work five days a week + sleep = no time for anything. just know that brent will be here in 18 days to spend two weeks with me and also know that i am obsessed with this song. thank you and goodnight.