because it would be un-american to not do a thanksgiving post

i feel somewhat obligated to do a thanksgiving post,

but mainly i would also feel like a selfish turd if i didn't do a quick list of what i'm thankful for.

i apologize only slightly for the sappiness that is below.

1. experiencing a new culture

it has been such an eye-opening journey to live in a foreign country.

i've done my fair share of moving around throughout my life

but living in a foreign country is an entirely new experience.

2. introspection

i didn't come to russia expecting to do all sorts of self-reflection.

but being here is exactly what i've needed to figure out life, what i believe, and where i stand.

3. skype

because then i can still see people's faces even when they are 5,000+ miles away.

4. great friends

i know so many wonderful people that have influenced my life in so many positive ways.

5. family saved the best for last

i couldn't even think of a proper adjective to put in front of the word family that would adequately sum up how i feel about my family.

i'll break it down in order to try to explain things properly.

dad: one of the hardest workers i know.

i feel like he is always going to school to get more degrees.

and i can't even finish one.

he would seriously go anywhere and do anything to make sure that we are provided for.

he has taught me so much about communication and healthy relationships and all sorts of really important shiz like that.

mom: as cliche as this may sound, she is one of my best friends.

and sadly, i haven't always been able to say that. 

sorry about those devil years of mine mom. oops.

but living at home this past semester was a lot of fun.

she is one of the most kind and charitable people i know and doesn't have a mean bone in her body.

plus she is tiny and adorable.

kels, jord, and bost: sorry guys, i decided to clump you guys all together.

your little family is just the cutest.

i aspire to someday be just like you guys.

bost, you are the cutest little chubbers and you're still my number one.

you have no idea how happy it makes me when you blow me kisses on skype.

and i can't wait to kiss your chubby little face soon!

jord, thank you for treating my sister so well.

i seriously could not have asked for a better brother in law.

i'm glad that we are actual friends.

kels, i don't know what i'd do without you.

like f'reals. you are always there for me to talk to.

you are such a wonderful mom and wife.

someday i will be cute and domestic and all of that like you.

but maybe not quite as tiny. curse you woman. curse you.

thanks to both of you for supporting me in everything.

tanner: such a solid kid.

someday i will be as righteous as him. he is seriously good to his core.

he is one of the most positive and compassionate people i know.

people are drawn to him because of his positivity and also hilariousness.

he seriously cracks me up.

he is one of my greatest examples.

whitty bit: a really fly gurrrl.

and also super solid.

we finally became friends recently.

i mean, we've always been friends. but we became real friends this past little bit.

she is so much fun. i don't think she realizes how fly she is.

i sometimes forget that she is my little sister, i usually just treat her like one of my friends.

she is also hilarious.

actually, know that we mention it, the whole fam damily is pretty funny i think.

maybe more on the slightly special side, but we'll just go with funny.

and also.

i don't know how i ended up with so many solid siblings.

probably the solid parents. i guess that would equate properly.

anyways, i love you guys.

and i'll stop now.

and since i'm in a black and white mood, here you go folks, here you go.

holla.

double list

it's a new year, which means new years resolutions... yadda yadda yadda

so here are some of my goals for 2012.

in no particular order

{run a half marathon}

{read my scriptures and pray daily}

{lose 15 pounds}

{new blog design}

{travel to a foreign country}

{save money}

{get a 4.0}

{take more pictures}

{develop a talent}

{read more, facebook less}

{don't be afraid to try new things}

i feel like these are some pretty decent goals.

hooray for a new year.

oh and ps. i've had another change in my life plan.

after much deliberation, pro/con list-making, and prayers i've decided to stay in utah.

last week it reached crunch time and i really had to make my decision.

i just felt like hawaii maybe wasn't exactly where i needed to be at this point in my life,

and then everything worked out just perfectly for me to stay in utah.

so utah: here i am. let's have some fun times. and make some money.

and hawaii: i miss your warmth, sunlight, and beautiful beaches already. 

you were a fantastic adventure to have. thanks for the good memories.

and speaking of lists.

i've made a list of adventures i didn't get to have while in hawaii.

so dear future husband: we are going to do the following when we vacation to oahu.

{hike stairway to heaven}

{go sky-diving in haleiwa}

{swim with the sharks}

{jump waimea rock}

{adventure to the bunkers}

{crouching lion hike}

{chinaman's hat}

{paddle boarding}

before i holla out there is one more thing i must address.

some people crazy crack smokers think that i stayed in utah to get married.

it's a little hard to get married when you're not actually dating anybody.

so no. i am not planning on getting married anytime soon.

thank you very much. :)

holla.

goodbye 2011

the last week of 2011 was filled with lots of reunions with my most very favorite people.

so here's a whole slew of pictures from some of my most very favorite times with said people.

#1 kailey taylor and i roadtripped it with some other friends for ellyses wedding,
and we had a happy reunion in the wal-mart parking lot.

#2 once we had arrived in st. george we had all sorts of fun.

ellyse looked absolutely beautiful and i am so excited for her and shane.  

rachel wade!

 i have some really great people in my life :)

#3 i was also reunionized (made that word up cause i'm sick of using the same one) with the mcmurtrey family.

i love them so much!

especially that cute little boston boy. 

i could squeeze his chubby thighs and kiss his squooshy cheeks all day long. 

i love this sister of mine. and jord too.
ps. boston is not eating here, it just looks like it a little.

#4 my good friend chris came home from his mission! 

its been so great to see him again and catch up.

in the picture on the right we're re-enacting high school days

#5 jordan bready, kelsey's best friend came home from her mission in taiwan!

she is like my other older sister and it was great seeing her as well.

goodbye 2011!

thank you for all of the fond memories and fun adventures.

i'm excited to see what 2012 will hold for me.

woot woot here we go 2012.

holla.


also you should check out this blog. i love it lots.
plus i would love to win a blog makeover, cause i've been attempting to work on a new one and i'm at a loss for what to do.

in less than 24 hours i will be flying over the pacific ocean!

home: here i come!

family: get ready to play lots and lots.

wahoo wahoo wahoo!

holla.