A Day in the Life

Summer Reading...

2011-07-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Every summer I have a huge "must read" books to get through. I am never able to start/finish books during the school year so I always rack up the reads in the summer. It's been about 2 weeks since my official summer started and I have already finished THREE BOOKS!

This is quite an accomplishment for me.

So here are the three I have already gotten through.

Number 1:

Tina Fey's book (pictured)

I saw this at the store the week it came out and immediately bought it. Ever since Mean Girls I have LOVED Mrs. Fey. She is my comic hero. If you love a good laugh, you MUST read this book.

Book numero Two:

Now, I actually started this book last summer during my European vacation. August came around and I had yet to come to the end. So, I got put on hold. After I finished Tina Fey, I picked this up right where I left off last summer. It was good, but I am not hooked enough to immediately start the second one.

I finished this fantastic one instead...

Book Three:

picture
In honors of the final movie coming out I wanted to read the last book to remind myself of what happened. I listened to the first couple chapters on my drive up to WA. I may have had my nose in a book all day, every day, but I finished it! I am pretty sure I just skipped ahead and read the epilogue when the book came out and never finished the book. (Just like when I watch the movies at midnight).

Never have I realized how much I enjoy reading.

I have already started my next book

ONE DAY

by David Nicholls

all in preparation for the movie coming out
AUGUST 19th

Survivor...

2011-06-25T10:19:00.001-07:00

I survived a grueling Summer Term.

Never again will I take 7 credits in 7 weeks. Or I just wont take Pathophys with Stats.

I just about DIED.

I pulled out of it though. Yes, I am proud of myself.

The day of my last final I tired myself out at the gym (thanks body pump class, I can't move any part of my body now) and then came home to melt by the pool with my Tina Fey book (LOVE YOU TINA!)

Summer is going to be fantastic..

Some of this... A little bit of this...

...and a whole lot of this...

Washington here I come

Guess what...

2011-06-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

This little letter came in the mail the other day:

No...I did not receive my mission call (yet).

I made the DEAN'S LIST!

I owe my success to my snowboarding class.

If it wasn't for snowboarding, I wouldn't have had 12 credit hours.

Go easy A classes.

No, I haven't framed and posted the letter on my wall...

...yet.

Happy Feet...

2011-05-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

Today is National Tap Dancing Day!

HOORAH!

In honor of such a magnificent day, here is a video of my favorite tap dancer.

Probably one of the reasons I got into tap too.

ENJOY!

Now everyone go learn to tap dance

To shop or not to shop...

2011-05-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

The most fabulous bag I have ever seen:

...is sitting all alone at Nordstroms just waiting to go home with me.

Anyone have $500 I can like...have?

Hoorah...

2011-05-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

I just received this in my e-mail today:

DEAR JAMIE,

CONGRATULATIONS on acheiving a high GPA for the Spring 2011 semester! We want you to know that we recognize the time and effort you gave to acheive this GPA. Good job and keep up the GREAT WORK!

Sincerily,

Michelle Kearns, Director
Office of Student Success and Retention

UVU is so cool. I never got any e-mail like this from BYU.

No, it's not because I never "acheived" a high enough GPA to get a recognition e-mail like this.

Also, do other Universitys have an Office of Student Success and RETENTION?

UVU is so packed full with students I wonder if they have an Office of Student DIMINUTION.

They don't.

I just checked...

A tribute...

2011-05-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

This one goes out to all you Mamas and Grandmas out there...

You are the greatest. I sure do love you...

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Can't Touch This...

2011-04-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

Since March I have been teaching tap at The Pointe Academy in Highland, UT. On my second day my boss asked me if I wanted to choreograph a piece for their show. WHAT FUN! I knew just the song I wanted to use. The only problem was I only had four weeks until the performance and for one of them the studio was closed down for spring break.

Let's just say it was the craziest/stressful three weeks in dance hisory.

I was told before I started teaching that the group was an advanced level. Most of them were. For four of them, though, it was their first year of tap dancing, EVER!

After 4.75 hours of teaching a dance that was WAY to hard for half of them show day was here. During the dress rehearsal their head director took out three people and one poor girl sprained her ankle while on pointe (ballet). 11 down to 7.

So, here is the finished project. I will admit that I was super nervous about being labeled as an awful tap choreographer/teacher. I was ready to be fired on the stop for having an atrocious dance. I was ready to go through all the programs and black out my name.

I thought it was really fun though. The kids did a great job of hamming it up. My kind of tap.

I am super proud of them.

ps...seeing as I still have yet to get paid by the studio I am claiming this as my only evidence of having the job. This video and my program of the concert.

ENJOY!

Graduations...

2011-04-22T21:18:00.000-07:00

A year ago today my name was read off and I walked across (without tripping, thankfully) and was handed an empty diploma case. That was it for my BYU education. The funny thing I remember about making my strut is I thought people were boooing me after my name was called. During dinner I later found out that it was just my brother giving a Chewbaca chant.

THANKS CHEWBACA!

Two weeks ago Chewbaca himself made the big walk across the BYU-I stage. The family gathered up in little Rexburg to see this monumental event. Graig and Nicole showed us a good time watching McIlroy and Tiger crumble under the green jacket pressure, Scum games, 1st grade fun, and delicious KFC. Congrats Graig!

BYU vs. UVU

2011-04-21T17:08:00.001-07:00

While all the BYU students who live near me are doing this...pic

...because they are already done with finals.

I am still doing this...

pic

...because my finals don't start till Monday.

This picture is actually pretty accurate to my current situation. Replace the coffee with WIRED, the radio and headphones with Pandora (Sara Bareilles station), and the pizza with leftover candy and you got my set-up at the kitchen table.

It could be worse...I could be starting classes in a week.

...wait second...

rats

Spring Break...

2011-04-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

OH BOY!!

It has been a while, hasn't it?

About a month a go I went down to Florida...

Florida=very first spring break my college history!

I got to check off an item from my bucket list...

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER!!!!

It was AMAZING!

All the of the line waiting was worth it. I was living life at Hogwarts and Hogsmeade(OK it maybe was 4 hours, don't pop my bubble)! It was truly a dream come true. I can't wait to go back!

Thanks Mama for enduring the heat and motion sickness to spend the day with me. You are the greatest.

Went to Walt Disney World for the FIRST TIME!

David and I discovered a new little gem in Provo. Provo Beach Resort at The Riverwoods.
This place is pretty cool. They have bowling, miniature croquet course, a ropes course, laser tag, pinewood derby...etc etc etc.

You think those things are cool...they got this too

INDOOR FLOW RIDER!

I thought it was going to be a lot like wake surfing behind a boat. Oh man was I wrong. I fell down a lot before I got the hang of it. Pretty sure I almost lost my suit a couple of times.

Those currents can be pretty tricky.

Dance Concert

2011-02-02T09:18:00.001-08:00

I interrupt this blog to bring you a very important announcement.

On March 15, 2011 at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, UT, I will be performing in the Percussive Dance Concert with my Tap Company, Foot Poetry.

This is the 3rd year this show has been running. Every year it brings new dances, music, people, and excitement.

Don't forget to purchase your tickets for this show through the Covey Center either online at coveycenter.org or calling 801-852-7007. Tickets are only $10!

So since the ticket price is so cheap, everyone from out of town/state can afford to buy a plane ticket or drive here for the show.

Now I expect it out of everyone.

New York City Christmas Eve...

2011-01-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

For Christmas Eve this year the family decided to head into the city to see the Christmas lights, windows, and do some additional shopping before Christmas. It was a beautiful day in New York complete with the sun shining in between buildings. It was not as cold as our Carlo's Bake Shop experience. Here are some pictures of our adventures:

Looked at the famous Macy's windows telling the story of Yes, Virginia.

We went inside Macy's initially get a family picture on Santa's lap but the line was way too long for children over the age of 21. Instead we looked around, but didn't stay long because of all the crowds.Dad and I in Times Square. Instead we went to our families favorite NY store: M&M's World. Is it obvious that we are a candy family from the sitting we are doing? We checked out the Rockefeller Christmas decorations complete with the famous tree. We wanted to try and ice skate for the experience, but being a children of Joni Ward we skipped the line and all the money it would have cost. If only they had coupons.

To be continued...

NJ Snowfall...

2010-12-31T13:18:00.000-08:00

If you haven't been watching the news, the east coast was hit with a "HUGE" storm on Sunday. The Wards survived, the snow at least. From the first snowflake somebody couldn't wait to take the sled out to the community sledding hill in Green Township. That person just happens to be the oldest person in the house...

YEP...that's her.

Monday morning Graig, my mom, and I got on our snow clothes, grabbed the sled, and drove out to the sled hill to find families already enjoying the snow.

We found a place on the top of the hill and see what the sled can do. Up and down, up and down. We had to document this monumental snow day. This is one of the great runs that Graig got on continuous shot. Good thing because he got every dip and flop. Try and scroll down fast to get a flip book effect.

That's my mom and me. I was testing out the agility of the sled with two people when I took things a little too far. We ended up taking up a tumble and my mom ate snow. Check out the snow wedged between her right eye and sun glasses. Scroll up a couple pictures and see the face plant and flop she had. Regardless of how much snow we rolled around in, we had a lot of fun.

My mom was a little hesitant to go down with me after being flipped the first time, but I promised to be nice.

It was Graig's turn to give it a try. The first time he ended up pushing my mom down the hill. They finally got it organized and made it down as a pair, without any harm.

Than Graig and I tried to go really fast:
We had a good time.
Thanks for the snowfall New Jersey!

Home for the Gingers

2010-12-30T16:49:00.000-08:00

One afternoon we took a break from shopping to make a "Ward Family" gingerbread house. My mom loves to get creative with the candy used to decorate the house, and we happen to have a lot of candy around the house (comes with the employment).

So, we broke out the 3 year-old gingerbread house kit and all the extra candy and got set to building the house.

Graig appointed himself as the general constructor and icicle creator. My mom frosted and sparkled the window. Mother has ALWAYS wanted to have a Neco roof, so Graig and Nicole worked on the roof. I worked on the tree and "ginger" gingerbread people.

The finishing touches include white M&Ms as the snow and pretzels as the walkway and fence.

This is an exact replica of the house we live in now. Down to the pretzel fence and Neco roof.

Home "Sweet" Home

Cake Boss...

2010-12-27T10:14:00.000-08:00

If you have seen my Mom's blog, you know every time visitors come out she has a list of places she HAS to take her house guests. Well, it's been updated recently. No longer will your itinerary be filled with historical tours. Now you can venture into Hoboken, NJ to visit the home of TLC's famous show Cake Boss, Carlo's Bake Shop. Buddy outside his shop with employees.

We ventured into Hoboken on a windy day, which meant the wind chill dropped the temperature down to freezing. This usually isn't a problem, but when visiting Carlo's Bake Shop the weather can determine your first impression.

Because the bake shop is relatively small and the popularity has increased since the show, visitors are required to wait outside before going into the shop. We weren't quite prepared for the wait in the wind, as seen below. Graig got creative with a scarf to try and keep his head warm. We were about halfway in the line at this point. About 90 minutes later we made it inside to see beautiful creations like this: Hand crafted birthday cakes for customers.

Graig and Nicole are avid watchers of Cake Boss. They were both very excited to have a Carlo's Bake Shop experience.

Nicole pointed out all the family members from the show for us.

We enjoyed some famous cupcakes and canolis that we purchased at the shop. They were quite DELICIOUS!

GOLD STAR Jersey experience!

Venture to Jersey

2010-12-22T09:30:00.000-08:00

After finishing up all my finals and quickly packing for home I jumped on the plane...literally.

12 hours of traveling later...HOME SWEET HOME!

My mom had a cookie exchange/ugly ornament exchange party the day after I arrived. In preparation we cooked ginger snaps and Christmatized the house. Lights leading guest up the drive way. Everyone showing off their "ugly" ornament after the exchange.

You never know what to expect when you come over to the Ward's house...

look below for an example: All the women collecting the brought cookies for the party...and my Mom clevery trying to capture the moment.

Graig and Nicole arrived here late Saturday night/early Sunday morning.

GANGS ALL HERE!!!!!

Finals...

2010-12-15T15:58:00.000-08:00

Its a little past 5pm on Wednesday, December 15th.

I am still in my pajamas and I have yet to walk out of my apartment today.

Party because of this:All the snow that was dumped on Provo last night. Picture from my window.

...but, mostly because I have been doing this all day.

Dear Pharmacology,

I am glad that I am soon done with you. Sadly, I will not be upset that I have to sit through your 3 hour lectures every week or take your silly quizzes anymore. I am, however, upset that I will have to be reminded how much I loath you in a year. Thanks a lot NCLEX.

Please pray for my testing skills to be magically improved as I venture into the UVU CTC. Or, that all the questions from the test come from the book and old quizzes. That would just make my day.

AMEN.

Consequences...

2010-12-12T14:17:00.000-08:00

This is what you get for playing with the boys...

Yesterday I had an indoor soccer game (last of the season). Spoiler alert: WE WON!

Anyway, I was on a breakaway to the goal. It was just me an the keeper. He dove left. I cut to his right. Next thing I know my face is in the turf and I found this battle wound on my hip.

No, I didn't score off of it. We did win though.

Oh, I already told you that.

I hate spoilers.

Sleeping...

2010-12-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

If you have been in my room during the frigid winter times you know how ridiculously cold it gets in my room. I don't know whether its the fact that I live on the bottom floor with the garage below me, that there is no insulation in my walls, or the 2 windows in my room being paper thin. The problem is that it isn't just in my room that its cold. My apartment pays over $140 in power and gas utilities during the winter. Thanks a lot Provo.

I use to have the hardest time sleeping because my bed would get so cold. I once found icicles at the foot of my bed one night. No, not really. My mom suggested getting a heated mattress pad to warm up the bed. What a miracle worker! I would throw the switch on HIGH, get ready for bed, and it would be nice and toasty by the time I was ready to jump in bed.

picture

So, my bed is warmer at night, but my room still got to below freezing temperatures during the day and night. I do have a space heater but that just makes the power bill more expensive. My Mom (isn't she so smart?) suggested putting up insulated window treatments to block out the cold that comes in through the window. I skipped going to the fabric store and put up these:

Yes, my room is clean Mom.

Blankets! What a brilliant idea! My room is now 15 degrees warmer than before. Here's the new issue though. Notice its hard to distinguish what time of day it is. Yes, there is a little sliver of light at the top of the right window, but that doesn't shine in my eyes when I am laying in bed. Because of these amazing blankets I now sleep till the afternoon hours of the day. I don't sleep through class or anything, but on the days I don't have class I sleep through my alarm and wake up just in time for lunch.

It's not like I am going to sleep at 2 or 4 in the morning, I just sleep so well in the dark. Take this morning for example. I was in my toasty warm bed by 12:30am with plans to wake up at 8am to go to the gym before I disappeared in my books for the rest of the day. My eyes popped open at 12:11pm with all hopes of the gym out the window.

I can't complain. I sleep much warmer, and much longer. Since my brain is getting so much rest that means I am going to rock my finals, right? Let's hope those two correlate.

Fall 2010...

2010-12-08T23:08:00.000-08:00

This is for all you people who forgot about me...

(and for those that kept reminding me that I had a blog and I was their only entertainment...you know who you are)

here's the deal:

my computer was on the fritz for the whole semester up to Thanksgiving. I am sure thankful for my Daddy's computer wisdom and surgified knee. Because of this, he healed my computer! So, send your gratitude to the great Mick Ward for being AWESOME!

LOVE YOU DADDY!!!

For a fast update:

School

green scrubs

I absolutely LOVE school. It is really weird to hear myself say that when people ask me about this topic. I enjoy going to class everyday (minus Pharmacology, but that's another story) and I love the things that I am learning. Right now as I am typing I am listening to a NCLEX test prep tutorial. I feel like such and nerd, and proud of it.

Before leaving on Thanksgiving break I finished my first clinical experience at a nursing home in American Fork. My clinical group spent every Tuesday for four weeks from 5:45-12pm practicing all the skills we had learned in lab. I really grew to enjoy it there. I was on the long-term hall for three weeks and got to know the patients on the wing really well. It is so humbling to see the situations that the people of nursing homes live under. I know you say you want to be put in one G-MA, but I don't want to see you there. Don't get me wrong, I am not shunning nursing homes, it's just that its not a place for this woman:

The super awesome woman on the left. Yea...she is pretty cool.

While I enjoyed all the time I spent at clinicals, I did have some unique experiences. For the sake of those with weak stomachs I will spare details of the stories. Let's just say that I showered immediately when I got home. Your imagination is free to wander...

Sports

I still have been playing soccer whenever I can. At the beginning of the semester I was on 4 leagues (all girl indoor, coed outdoor, coed indoor, all girl intramural). My team ended up winning the coed outdoor league...shirts to come. Just last night my girls intramural team took the championship...AGAIN!! We had such an amazing team this year: UNDEFEATED!!!! So, the perks about winning BYU intramural is the glorious shirt and all the glory that comes with it.

The winning TEAM 6 with our shirts. that's priceless joy

We have already planned to be on the same team next year. I think I could add a third shirt to my collection.

Dance

Yes, I am still tap dancing G-ma and Mom. The tap company, Foot Poetry, is as strong as ever. We recently made the switch to being a BYU affiliated group. This means we can't dance naked at practices anymore (not that any of us did, it was just the fact that we could if we wanted to). Hopefully this means that we will be performing at a lot more events. Recently we brought back this little gem from 2009

Buble is back in business...

Save the date March 15, 2001 for the annual Covey Center Performance including Foot Poetry, Irish dance, cloggers, and other percussion dancers.

I have had the opportunity to substitute some tap classes at studios this semester. It has really made me miss being a BYU tap instructor. Although I dreaded having to grade my students, I loved being able to share and teach my talents to other people.

I think that about covers it all.

till next time....

I promise I will do better

2010-08-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a while....

Here is just a fast update:

-going to UVU in the Fall (and for 3 more years). I was accepted into their Nursing Program.

-just returned from a wonderful trip to Europe. We went to Milan and Venice, Italy; Austria, Croatia, and Greece.

the end

new camera...

2010-05-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

For graduation I treated myself to a new Canon EOS Rebel XSi camera. pic

TADA!!!!

I've always loved photography, but never had the time to really get into it. I figured with ALL my free time and my title as

"COLLEGE GRADUATE"

I'd finally buy a nice camera and take some nice pictures. It just sounded...well...nice.

here are some of my first examples:^personal favorite

more to come soon...

spoiler alert

Graduated and nothing to do...

2010-05-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

With no formal job lined up after graduation...I decided to have a little fun.

cousin Adam got married...
went to "Music and the Spoken Word" with family...

ventured up to ID to spend time with Graig and Nicole in their abode...

attended Society Club for a intellectual discussion and light dancing...

took Janelle, and begging David, to Pirate Island...

Janelle squeezing off her smile with Captain Jack Sparrow

saw Lesile receive her Masters in Education David took me climbing for the first time in St. George

I was a very mature learner and made it back to Provo just in time for this...

best FHE lesson ever!!!

End of the Semester...

2010-05-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

Winter was a great senior semester. I was in a snowboarding class so I got to go up to Sundance every week for "class". That was a big hit for me. My classes were very interesting. I am glad that I chose my major, I ended up really enjoying my classes. I mean, who doesn't love learning all the nerves, ligaments, and muscles of a cadaver (sometimes half dissected too!).

Since I was getting very senioritis-y, I...

went to David's super exciting end-of-the-year "Spirit Squad" banquet

It was at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Temple Square though and had a great view of the temple right outside the windows...

To celebrate graduation, my freshmen summer roomies got together and had a bonvoyage dinner. Kelsy and I were graduating, Abby was leaving for Jerusalem, and Alison and Mark were staying in Provo(quite the vacation for the marrieds).

We had some fun, I did Abby's hair... special roommate moment captured

...with Alison's super tiny straightener

Kelsy fabulous as usual

Alison and her coveted rooster window treatments

Bored...me too.

All the good stuff is coming up.

Gradumication...

2010-05-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

I graduated!!!!

this picture really disgusts me...when did I put on twenty pounds in the face?

Thanks BYU for allowing me to spend four years of time, energy, and money (that's for you Mom and Dad).

I can't believe it has been four years since I've been in college. It went by too fast.

What's next you may ask...

Well, I'm planning on meeting a big celebrity(the next older Justin Bieber), living in Paris and shopping for the rest of my life.

just kidding

I'm waiting to hear back from nursing schools to spend MORE time in school.

doesn't that sound like a dream come true for a newely college grad?

Krishna...

2010-04-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago the Spanish Fork Krishna Temple held the annual Festival of Colors. David, Macy, and I (along with the rest of Utah) went to celebrate the coming of spring with the Krishna's. This was my first time to be at the celebration when the colors were thrown into the air. It was quite the event.

Needless to say, we all had purple snot and coughed up brown for days.

It was totally worth it.

Last Couple Months...

2010-03-11T08:07:00.000-08:00

Here is yet another slacking, rush picture update from the last couple months. At least its only after two this time instead of four...eh?

Everyone chipped in and bought my roommate Chelsea a puppy for her birthdayOK not really...David and I stole his roommates puppy for the night. It wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. It pooped on the floor within 10 mins of being there. It sure was the cutest little poop you've ever seen though.

We did however get her a cake and sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY...we figured it was cheaper and less messy.David's old roommate and my friend got married in January. They had a hot chocolate bar you could add your own flavorings, whipped cream, and just about anything else you could image.

"You've got a mustache. I mean, you've got milk on your mustache. Oh, I mean you've got a milk mustache." -Gob

David and I at one of the basketball games.

After the game, the concessions bring all the extra food from the rich people who sit on the floor to the cheerleaders. David just had to have the large trash bag full of popped corn.

He smelled like popped corn for a week.

David did some de-hairing from the drains.

...check out that turd sized clump of hair.
It smelled just like a turd too...

Over President's Day weekend David and I went to visit Graig and Nicole up in Idaho. These are some crazy big icicles coming off the roof at Nicole's elementary school.

Graig sports a beard every week now. Must be that Idaho hick coming out of him.

THANKS FOR A FUN VISIT GRAIG AND NICOLE!!!

David and I flew to Colorado to see his family about a month ago.

David drove me to Boulder to see my great friend Barbara.

Just about all of David's siblings came over for dinner the Saturday we were there. I told his Mom that I was concerned with how many people there would be and not knowing people's names for the dinner. She made name tags for everyone who came over.

Somehow David ended up with every ones name tag somewhere on him.

It was David's birthday on Tuesday so after he took two tests some of his friends came over to celebrate the old man's birthday.

I wrapped David's gifts and hid them around my place. It was very entertaining watching him try to find them all.

That's it...

oh yea

I graduate in 6 weeks!!!!

Valentines Day

2010-03-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

Ok, ok I know what you are thinking...

"Valentines Day was over a month ago!"

So what, better late than never right?

So the Friday of Valentines Day weekend David had to take a test late at night and I had tickets to go with Abby and some of her friends to the Young Ambassadors show(great show!) David asked to stay at my place to study while we were gone...his place smells like dog pee, but that is another story. Not thinking anything of it, I said sure, but you have to get an A or don't come home(just kidding I didn't say that).
After the show Abby and I walk in the front door to find David just hanging out at our place. He said his test went well and he had just gotten back. We talked a while upstairs and turned on the opening ceremonies of the Olympics(yes it was that long ago). After a while I went downstairs and found a red heart cut out from construction paper on the floor outside the door to my room. It read...

"Happy Valentines Day!
If you're lucky there is a present hidden in here."

Attached to the card were ear plugs and a needle.

I opened my door to find this... My room was filled with balloons!

I'm thinking he wanted to fill my room with balloons to disguise the mess that I have been accumulating all semester.

Luckily I didn't have to pop all the balloons at that moment to find my gift. David melted down the leftover silver from the quarter ring he made me for Christmas into a pendant to make a necklace. Very very clever David.

Over 200 balloons were popped the next day-the earplugs and needle went into good use.

Major Update...

2010-01-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

So to make up for my slacking the last four month I thought I'd give a breakdown of what happened via pictures. So it will be very colorful and possibly very long.

Waited in the pouring down rain to sit in on conference. Cooled off by the Monte Carlo fountains. Sampled Cokes from around the world. Had some of the greatest yogurt ever in Vegas. Halloween Deal or No Deal. Became large with child. Just kidding. I was forced into playing Mary in the annual Harmer nativity. David begged to be Joseph. Saw freshmen friend who abandoned Utah for Idaho Crystal. My freshmen roommate Alison got married to freshmen friend Mark. Saw some interesting things when I went to New Jersey for Christmas.

Celebrated my 22 birthday in NYC

Alright...there it is.

So, see you in another four months?

Tap your heart out...

2009-12-30T13:07:00.000-08:00

Everyone remember this from last year?

Well it's happening again.

On Saturday, January 9th, Foot Poetry Tap Company, Rocky Mountain Cloggers, Irish and Flamenco Dancers will be gathered for a Percussive Dance Show at The Covey Center for the Arts in good ol' Provo, Utah.

Since last year was such a success, we are having TWO shows this year: a matinee and a night.

Tickets go on sat January 1st online at the coveycenter website or at the location:

425 West Center Street

Provo, UT

801) 852-7007

The word has been out all across the Utah Valley so tickets will go fast.

If you thought last year was good,

this one is going to be exponentially better.

Champions...

2009-12-13T15:30:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has taken so long to update...

I blame it all on this kid...

I have some BIG NEWS to share...

MY INTRAMURAL TEAM WON THE TOP DIVISION BRACKET!!!

it was quite exciting. we lost half-way through the bracket, had to play the team we lost to in the quarter finals, then we had to play the winner of the winners bracket twice in order to be crowned the champions. and we did it.

so I finally got my intramural champion shirt..

I can graduate a successful student.

don't be jealous...it's not good for your complexion

Bubbly Tappers...

2009-09-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!!

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to everyone who came and saw World of Dance! It was such a great show and it wouldn't have been a show if it wasn't for you!! (yes, YOU!)

It truly was KABLAMO!!!

Major Update...

2009-09-24T13:04:00.000-07:00

Life finally calmed down to 50 miles per hour. (or I'm just getting better at procrastinating important/unimportant things) Here is a large and in charge update of my summer...

Are you ready for this?

4th of July at the Lakehouse

some skiing

more boating

more playing around

more more wakesurfing

major tubing adventures

family reunions

work/advertising/hydrating

babysitting/dinners/Arrested Development

Happy Wedding

Happy Family

more boating
sailing Yogurtlanding
Beaching Receptioning

TA DAH...

Tough summer huh?

WOD...

2009-09-01T09:42:00.001-07:00

You may call me lazy, or call me boring, or say I'm not entertaining you for keeping my blog updated. Well to you I say, I am sorry. Who checks my blog on the morning of their wedding day anyway?!?!?! I mean honestly!!

I give you my promise that I will do better about feeding you new information, and making you laugh just as hard (or whatever emotions I may bring out of you).

As for now...go buy your tickets for this little show...

WORLD OF DANCE

I mean, only if you want to see the coolest girl do some wicked tap moves to some pretty sweet Buble music.

or if you want me to speak to you again...

yes, that was a threat

you've gotta...

2009-07-30T14:16:00.001-07:00

ok ok ok...I know I have A LOT of funny things to report on, but this video is so fantastic

if you're having a bad day...watch this

and just

SWIM!!!

WA...

2009-07-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

So I've been in evergreen/everwett Washington for about four weeks...what an adventure it has been for sure.

maybe I'll tell you ALL about it later...

2009-06-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

My personal opinion...

BOO
Don't get me wrong it's a great movie with a great story, but if you've read the book you won't appreciate the movie. Like Hollywood does, they twisted the original story...NO GOOD!! I miss Julia, the rebellious brother, the dysfunctional family, the fires...it just wasn't there.

So if you did see the movie and haven't read the book...

DO IT!!!!!

it's WAY better.

Havasupai Trip...

2009-06-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

hiking through the canyon

Havasupai was so much fun. I left with three guys from my ward on Wednesday night and got back Monday night. We joined up with a group of people from Wyoming, Vegas, Idaho, and some from our ward. We did some jumping off "jumping prohibited" waterfalls, hiked down to the Colorado River, wandered through caves, went to church in our hiking clothes, and made the 10 mile hike in and out before dawn.

eating dinner

our humble abode

crossing rivers down to the Colorado River

preparing food

PICTURES

climbing down to Mooney Falls

hanging around Mooney Falls

I recommend the trip to EVERYONE!!!

The place is beautiful...

and it's nice to not shower/use port-a-potties/not wear makeup/eat camp food for a couple days

I mean...if that's what you're into

Spring 2 Summer...

2009-06-24T01:50:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened in the last couple weeks...

in one large breath...go through all the pictures and read the captions

(not for the weak lunged...if such...you are allowed to take your time in reading and viewing)

DD went into the MTC

Abby and I saw some hot air balloons take off in the Springville Art City Days

Drove/Hiked down to Havasupai

(more to come on this)

TyRee is going into the MTC tomorrow

such is summer...another crazy one...

...leave for WA Friday...

I want to ride my bicycle...

2009-06-08T22:56:00.000-07:00

So... I've been dying to get a bike ever since last year

(maybe not DYING or else I would have gotten one a LONG time ago)

(actually I went to Wal Mart and saw all the little boys and girls getting new bikes with streamers and training wheels, I wanted to fulfill my inner child summer dreams and get myself one)

but I FINALLY got one this weekend.

BEHOLD...

...isn't he/she pretty?

I haven't thought of a name yet...so if you have any suggestions...throw them out.

So today after my Public Speaking final I decided to take a little ride down to Utah Lake. I was having a good ol' time cruisin' along the Provo River. The trees were green, the river was rushing, it was just serene. I went to ride down a bridge and got SOAKED!!! The river flooded into the bike path and was about a foot deep. I rode out of the puddle drenched from the waist down just laughing out loud! My shoes were soaked the rest of the ride, but it was all fun!

Here's to many more adventures...

me and Gizmo (TBD name)

get UP...

2009-06-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

Best Movie EVERfanboy.com

You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll be touched.

Just go see it...

NOW

only one more week of school!!!

can I hear a woot woot?

to Abicuster...

2009-05-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

To the greatest roadtrip buddy... California beach adventures... Amusement parks...BYU games...and piggy back rides... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBY!!!

SYTYCD???

2009-05-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

ok so Kris Allen won...WOO HOO!!!

The best part of American Idol ending, is the beginning of another fabulous talent show...

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE...

DANCE...

DANCE....

DANCE...

If you feel like a loser watching it by yourself on Wednesday and Thursday nights...come to my place! We got a SYTYCD fan group ready to watch the whole season!!!

It's quite exciting.

I must say we could use some more testosterone...

don't be shy guys...we'll just think more of you for watching a dance show.

plus you'll be in a room full of girls...

right right.

Yogurt Galore...

2009-05-19T21:14:00.000-07:00

For my Technical Writing Class(BORING) we have to do an Evaluation of Data. So we have to chose 10 products or services and test them against standard of judgements. Last year my teacher made the class do an evaluation on ten candidates for the presidency(snore). My group decided to have some fun with this so we chose to evaluate some of the frozen yogurt shops around Provo. Today we took a couple hours and drove around checking out the vibe of the shops, counting the options for toppings, seeing how overpriced yogurt can be, and of course tasting the deliciousness.

My personal favorite:

It's so delicious! The only downfall...it's extremely OVERPRICED!!!!

The funnest place though:

SPOON ME!

They are taking frozen yogurt to the next level with shirts, pants, and bumper stickers. The greatest part though is their edible spoons. Yes, that's right...EDIBLE SPOONS!!! At first I just kind of laughed at the kids working behind the booth, but then the guy took a huge bite out of the spoon. WHAT!?! So I gave it a shot. It's not like it had any flavor, its made from cornstarch, but you can eat the spoon. The girl working said that they've actually had people just eat them...that's it!! Pretty disgusting...but neat as well.

I will admit, I'm gnawing on it right now.

Lucky for the yogurt shops that YOGURTLAND isn't here in Provo, or else there would have been no competition at all. Hands down YOGURTLAND would have taken the crown.

Because...

THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE!!!

six grade nostalgia...

2009-05-18T22:57:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of the coolest kids on the block.

Last Friday, those who were remaining in P-town from Foot Poetry performed at Mrs. Jackie Crane's elementary school for their "Cultural Family Gathering"(or something of the sorts).

Man, did I forget how cool it was to be a sixth grader.

Macy and I decorating a Rose Parade float.

I'm not 100% sure but I think this is six grade. The reason I can tell is my hair: it's long, I hadn't quite discovered that my hair was naturally curly so I just wore it frizzy; and that wicked shirt role and tie to make the over sized shirt look hot.

Oh and the fact that I'm not wearing any make up because I know in junior high I became a cakemixer(aka caked on the makeup).

...those were the days.

Spring...

2009-05-10T19:21:00.001-07:00

So, it's only been about two weeks of classes, but it feels like a lot longer. Classes are killing me. Thank goodness the weather is nice at least.

TyRee Ree left the dear ol' Provo to head back home and prep for her mission. We went out to SPARK on her last night and got some drinks to celebrate(don't worry it's all alcohol free).

TyRee, Kadi, Me

Yesterday, Abbicuster and I decided to take a little bike ride through Provo. We rented a tandem bike from a house on the corner and cruised our way around.

on our bike that a little girl called a "cool bike"

we had to test drive it in Abby's parking lot to get the hang of it before we took it out on the road

my view the entire bike ride

it's been a silly dream of mine to ride a bike without holding onto the handlebars and on this tandem...I FINALLY DID IT!!!!! Abby and I switched front to back before we took off and it gave me free hands to take pictures like these...scenic huh?

Happy Mothers Day...

2009-05-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

.silly mama.
I LOVE YOU MAMA WARD!!!
you're the greatest

The CA...

2009-04-29T17:39:00.000-07:00

The lovely visit to the hometown never seems to get me down. It's sunny, warm, and always full of love and adventures.

So here's just a sneak peak of some things done...

Watched the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (ridiculous name) get whooped!!

Played A LOT of CORNHOLE!!! Made a drive up to Palm Springs and passed by my favorite WINDMILLS!!!
Visited the beach and ate some delicious BJ's!!!!

Saw THE SOLOIST!!! Mark my words, awards will be handed out left and right for this movie!!

Scatter some delicious IN-N-OUT, laughs, occasional sleep, and sunshine and you've got one great stay in California!

HOME...

2009-04-21T00:11:00.000-07:00

I'm going HOME!!!

California...not Jersey.

IN-N-OUT?!?

Study Break...

2009-04-17T09:43:00.001-07:00

Looking for something to make you smile amists the woes of (insert what's tough for you here).

Mine=FINALS

Go to HULU right now and watch ALL of the SNL Digital Shorts.

Andy Samberg is a comic genius.

He'll make you snort in the middle of the dead quiet library because you're trying to hold in your laughter. You'll get a lot of looks. Good or bad? That's up to your personal discretion.

Here are some of my favorites:

LAZY SUNDAY

Dr. Pib + Red Vines= Crazy Delicious

I'M ON A BOAT

I got my swim trunks and my flippy floppys

EXTREME CHALLENGE

Act Natural

Who am I kidding, they are ALL good. If you're looking for a dare watch I'm a Boss, J in My Pants, People Getting Punched, and Party Guys.

.you're dismissed.

Utah Spring...

2009-04-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

After the freak spring snow dumping yesterday and last night (those poor poor spring flowers must be freezing their little petals off), here's what I'm predicting in the next couple days

And just because it's Provo and "supposedly" spring love is in the air (don't worry they had a whole page in the Daily Universe dedicated to spring engagement spots and business) there probably will be two love birds sitting on benches as the water rushes by taking down everything they own...

...but not their love.

snore.

Deflated...

2009-04-15T13:38:00.000-07:00

So, that finals excitement was short lived.

My Sisters Keeper

2009-04-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a good summer read, rush to your nearest B&N and purchase this keeper...

It's an intense storyline with an unpredictable ending. Read it before June 26 if you can in time for the premier of the movie. This is one you'll want to see. It's staring Cameron Diaz(she goes bald for the role) as the mother, Alec Baldwin as lawyer, and Abigail Breslin as sister Anna. It's gonna be a tear-jerker. I don't know how they've kept this movie a secret from the world...this book is good!!
I mean REAL GOOD!!!

Scrubs...

2009-04-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

All my past roommates can tell you of my obsession for Scrubs.

They would sit and watch me watch the show just because I am apparently so entertaining.

It's slowly and sadly coming to an end. . .

only four more episodes left(nuh-nuh-nuh!).
oh how I will miss you Zach Braff

feel free to purchase those glasses for me as a half-birthday present.

Finals...

2009-04-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

Someone needs to slap me across the face because I am actually really excited for finals this semester.

I know right?

Who are you and what have you done with stressed out Jamie?

Right now, though, I'm wishing I was in NJ because Graig, Nicole, and the Ewells are heading out there for their Spring Break.

Kill me.

I could be sitting in the SNL seats watching Zac Efron and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs perform live.

Instead I'll be sitting on my couch laughing to myself all alone.

(commence pity party)

Forget Zac Efron. I care more about these funny people...

...minus Amy Poehler.

She is truely missed from the Saturday stage.

long time update...

2009-04-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

enough about food

here's some recent(but mostly not so recent) pictures...

celebrating Kelsy's birthday
doesn't Danielle have that perfect little sis. mish look?

Festival of Colors

.the end.

NO!!! Don't tell me that!

2009-03-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

MSN ran this story today...

AMERICA'S WORST LUNCHES-AND WHAT YOU SHOULD EAT INSTEAD

Usually I don't bother looking at these nutrition articles because they just blabber on about how fast food tears up your insides and leaves your pancreas crying for an explanation of why you mistreated it. Jamie's conclusion...fast-food is disgusting! Don't come back saying "Well you LOVE IN-N-OUT more than your shoes" (which is correct depending on which shoes you are referring to), but my dear IN-N-OUT is made from the freshest ingredients. Here's some food quality proof. Other fast-food joints, however, love to add as much preservatives into their burgers so they will last on the shelf for years. I've also heard directly from workers that the oil that fries are soaked and browned in doesn't get changed. It'd be like going to NYC and getting a Hot Dog from a street stand at 9pm...they don't call them Dirty Water Dogs for nothing.
Anyway, in the article the restaurant CHIPOTLE caught my eye. Man do I love their steak burritos, they can keep me full for days on end because they are so large. Oh and their chips are so delicious as well. To my dismay, guess what they said was so bad for you:

CHIPOTLE
-13” tortilla with steak, black beans, rice, cheese, sour cream and lettuce
-955 calories
-38 g fat (18 g saturated)
-1,600 mg sodium

Calorie equivalent: Like eating 37 Hershey’s Kisses! (WHAT!?! Everyone knows Hershey's is gross...why not relate it to M&Ms?)

The good news about this tortilla is that it contains 56 grams of protein, but that's hardly worth the outrageous calorie and carbohydrate load (oh but I agree to disagree) —with 94 grams of carbs, you've already covered a third of your recommended daily intake, plus you're taking in nearly a day's worth of sodium and saturated fat. Downsize to drop pounds.

Eat this instead:
Three hard tacos with steak, pinto beans, sour cream and lettuce
-615 calories
-24 g fat (11 g saturated)
-710 mg sodium

(Hard tacos?...if i want to make my esophagus bleed internally I'd just swallow razor blades)

(Another hint: When it comes to Chipotle chips, just say "no." They add an outrageous 570 calories and 73 extra grams of carbs.)

Dang it, not the chips too...now I'm going to feel extremely guilty whenever I stuff my face with Chipotle. I'll just have to make up for the large load by eating cheese cubes and peas the rest of the day.

CONGRATS...

2009-03-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

(Graig is going to kill me for this, but it's so worth it.)

THIS COUPLE IS ENGAGED!!!!

...finally!

Nicole is the sweetest person you will ever meet. Not only does she love to shop and see movies(and many other fabulous things), but she is a big game player too! I am so excited that she will soon be joining our family! If you get a chance, check out her ring...it is stunning! Good choice Graig!

This summer is weddings galore. (Rachel Lumsden, Tahnee and Tyler, Trevor Peters, Jessica Lindsay, Jourdan Lance, and more to come) I've got my eye on a couple Anthro dresses.

Good, Bad, Ugly...

2009-03-20T09:40:00.001-07:00

The long waited GOOD>BAD>UGLY post. I'll admit it's not exciting because I got some better news!! Here it is anyway...

Good
-spending time with Nicole
-warm weather
-real IN-N-OUT
-Yogurtland
-playing card games
-watching movies
-ignoring homework
-visitors from CA
-Andre's Restaraunt with $45 entrees
-warm weather
-real IN-N-OUT

Bad
-not finding anything at the outlet mall
-Andre's Restarant with $45 entrees
-ignoring homework
-leaving

Ugly
-creepy men with no teeth smiling at you
-girls' "dresses" on the strip
-Thunder Down Under advertisements

As seen the Good clearly outweighs the Bad/Ugly which means Vegas trips in the future are in order.

To Do...

2009-03-16T09:44:00.001-07:00

AH what a wonderful weekend!!!

I want to do a Good, Bad, Ugly post for it all but today I got no time today. Here are things that are taking priority over blogging today...

Grading tap class on last dance test...

Catching up on The Soup, 30 Rock, Flight of the Conchords, SNL, etc...

Doing laundry...

Biomechanics quizzes...

Grocery shopping...

Reading for classes I ignored this weekend...

Showering...

That's probably in the order of importance too. No it's correct, showering is on the bottom of the list...

One little gem about this weekend was the delicious IN-N-OUT. I still have the box from my last meal in the car. I'm hoping the smell will spread deliciousness all over my car. They should come out with an IN-N-OUT air freshener...I'd buy it, wouldn't you?

Hallelujah...

2009-03-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

Why THANK YOU LAS VEGAS...

After four weeks of solid tests, projects, papers I decided last minute to take a little weekend vacation to LV. I can't wait to walk around in sandals without a jacket, eat some IN-N-OUT, and most of all hang out with my future sister-in-law (shh...it's still a secret).

June Lakes 1997

2009-03-10T15:43:00.000-07:00

Another wonderful old family picture.

The glory 90's with spandex shorts, bowl haircuts, high socks, bangs, and apparently berets.

As you can see my dad is still rocking the mustache. Way to be dad! And my mom's got the long long hair...what happened to it mommy? The sad/funny thing is my mom finally threw out all her 20-plus pairs of spandex short and pants-same pair in different colors-only a couple years ago. On the bright side at least she doesn't wear her stretchy pants every second of every day (hint hint you know who you are).

Oh it's wonderful...just wonderful.

Laziness...

2009-03-05T17:42:00.001-08:00

The other day I wandered into the WILK-it must have been the second time all semester-to get my new handy-dandy photo identification card. Firstly, why do all ID card photos (drivers license, school IDs, gym passes, etc) end up looking like a mug shot straight out of a western WANTED AD? I digress.... I stepped into the bathroom before to make sure I didn't look too horrifying to break the camera. Upon my entrance I was surrounded by automatic dispensers...ALL OVER THE PLACE!!!!

At the toilet... I stuck out my hand to receive a perfectly portioned bit of toilet paper

The toilet flushed for me

At the sink...Not only did the water turn on magically when I stuck my hand under the faucet, but a dollop of soap was dropped into my palm as well.

Drying my hands... I just had to place my hands down this crevice and air blew drier than a desert in the summer.

I half expected the door to open for me when I went to leave. When did all this stuff happen? I understand the dryer and others...but the TOILET PAPER?!?! Thank you but I consider myself of age to use an appropriate amount of paper to not clog the toilet. Oh, the soap too.

I felt like I came straight out of WALL-E You had it all right Disney. Look at us America. Just look at us...

Is all this convenient technology making us lazy?

I will say I did kind of enjoy it though...after I got past the weirdness of it all.

2009-03-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

I came across this little gem while procrastinating studying(as usual)...

Isn't it wonderful!?! Oh the days of the 80's/90's with lace collars and big hair. I'm sorry but my dad's mustache makes me laugh. Not because it's funny, but because now every boy on BYU campus seems to think that this is a "NEW HIP STYLE". FYI boys...it's not! The funniest thing of the picture...not that Janelle is wearing pajamas...but my cheeks. CHECK OUT THOSE BAD BOYS!!! It looks like someone (probably Graig) crammed a million tiny marshmallows into my baby cheeks. I can't help but laugh out loud every time I take just a quick glance at those babies. Me...baby fat cheeks...You...gravity.

And why is no one but Graig looking directly into the camera. Must have been the trend. I'm surprised to not see a shadow outline for a more dramatic and outdated effect.

Not OK...

2009-02-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

More IN-N-OUT sites proposed in UTAH

I can't believe it...kill me now. I can stand the one in St. George because it's always warm and not Utah-ish, but Orem! Just a warning IN-N-OUT, you're going to have some faithful consumers calling with some not nice things to say.
If you want a good laugh, read the comments on the article shown above...these Utahan's are doubting IN-N-OUT's ability to perform and comparing it to Krispy Kreme saying it will just be a trend. I am offended...deeply. Sound like some unappreciation! You don't need that IN-N-OUT!

What happened to tradition?

President's Weekend

2009-02-20T09:37:00.000-08:00

For more documentary on the weekend visit here...
Thanks Ewell's for inviting me, I had a wonderful time!

Yes Please...

2009-02-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

I came across this advertisement while paroosing the magazines at Sam's Club.

What a way to pull a girls heartstrings. Not only did this make me want to have/hold an infant with gorgeous blue eyes, (obviously) but receiving a Tiffany's Celebration Ring just makes it a Win-Win situation. Sign me up!

Give those advertisers a raise!

Go here to create your own dream stack of Celebration Rings.

WHAT?...

2009-02-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

I ran across this today...

IN-N-OUT Burger pursuing Draper site

I should be jumping off my seat and screaming aloud with joy in the SKWT computer lab, but sad to say I have mixed feelings. It's been a tradition that I look forward to when going back to California after a semester at school. Driving home we will stop at the Vegas IN-N-OUT. Or if a plane was means of transportation, stopping at the nearest IN-N-OUT after touchdown was made. IN-N-OUT palm trees don't belong in Utah. I sure have never seen any tropical trees adorning the streets of University Parkway, nor any in Utah. I could rant forever about this...

Notice is says "Taste of California"...not "Taste of UTAH"

No Utah on this map of deliciousness.
This changes EVERYTHING!

Secret Admirer...

2009-02-12T18:09:00.000-08:00

I knew I didn't HATE Valentine's Day...even if I was extremely single. Today after a LONG day at school and hours in the library I come home to flowers on my doorstep. HEART STOPS! A smile is plastered on my face for the rest of the night.

This reminds me of Valentine's Day Freshmen year in High School. I was sitting nonchalantly in Biology watching the choir girls walk around ditching class in their sparkly red/silver dresses...just to do singing Valentine's. Who would buy such silly things, I thought to myself. The next moment a small group entered my class asking if they could sing a song to Jamie Ward. Lucky Jamie...wait a second...THAT'S ME!! Everyone snaps their head back to look at me. I'm sure my face went bright RED. Onto my desk they placed a bottle of Martinelli's Sparkling Cider, Roses, and a Note! They started to sing their little song, "Can't Help Falling In Love", while my lab partner and I quickly grabbed the note to see who would gift me with such deliciousness. (and embarrassment) The note read, (I'm paraphrasing) "I've noticed you and really like you a lot. One day I'll reveal myself." WHAT!?!?! Why is this person not making themselves known to me? For years I brought that card out every Valentine's and tried to decode the handwriting. Senior year, three years later, yearbooks are going around in classes to say farewells and spread love and inside jokes across the paper pages. I read my recent notes to find that my Freshmen "SECRET LOVER" finally ousted themselves on page 2!

It's been a lesson to me that someone is always watching you, and might possibly have a HUGE crush on you. Let me just say though, I will not wait another three years for this mystery person to finally decide and declare their love for me. I WILL NOT HAVE IT! But, I will admit, I love the secret-ness of it all! I'm a sucker for it!

Too bad I already have a date for V-Day...

Don't get too excited...it's only Utah style.

Single Ladies...

2009-02-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

I'm reading this... in preparation to see this...
I recommend the book to any and every single girl out there. (HEY, SINGLE LADIES!!!) Not only is this book entertaining-it's written by SEX AND THE CITY writer-it can/will change your life! For example, I have no problem staying home most Friday and Saturday nights watching whatever is on the Style Channel. (Who doesn't like "What Not To Wear" re-runs?) Just go out, be yourself, have fun, but don't haggle guys because if they like you, they'll show it. Here are just a couple of my favorite quotes from the book...

"Men are never too busy to get what they want."

"An excuse is a polite rejection"

"Don't get tricked into asking him out. If he likes you, he'll do the asking."

"Don't you want they guy who'll forget about all the other things in his life before he forgets you?"

"Better than nothing is not good enough for you!"

"If he's not calling you, it's because you are not on his mind; you deserve a phone call."

and

"You are good enough to be asked out."

Ladies...you deserve it.

As Beyonce would say, "If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it!"

Amen Beyonce...AMEN!

Growing up...

2009-02-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

I'm two cups into my coffee break
I'm sitting alone in the cafe front way
Reading all by myself
I'm turning my cell off just to breathe
'Cause everyone I know just keeps calling me
And I just need a little time
Cause I've overcommitted myself
I guess this is growing up
I'm sleeping so little these days
I guess this is growing up
I'm feeling things are about to change
I'm guessing this is growing up
Yeah, I'm guessing this is growing up
And my friends hate my guts
They have every reason to
From all the things I do
And it breaks me just to know
That I have torn them apart so many times
So many times
Cause I've overcommitted myself
I guess this is growing up
I'm sleeping so little these days.
I guess this is growing up
I'm feeling things are about to change
I'm guessing this is growing up
Oh I'm guessing this is growing up
I don't wanna change, I wanna stay right where I lay
Eyes closed, head down on the pillow,
Better change, before it's too late,
I'm guessing this is growing up...
Now I'm done with my coffee break
I turn on my phone
Now that I've grown up

Coffee Break by Forever the Sickest Kids

Everybody knows it hurts to grow up, and everybody does...
we're still fighting it...

When I Grow Up...

2009-02-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

So, I'm getting close to graduating from college and I guess that means I should to start thinking about what I'm going to do after I receive my completion certificate from BYU(crossing my fingers I do). So I want to be a nurse, blah blah blah, what if that doesn't happen? Gasp! Well here are some personal inspirations of things I'd love to do if changing IV bags and emptying bed pans doesn't work out...

Hotel Front Desk Worker:

In my times of traveling I've grown a love for hotels. They are classy (well, some of them) and are usually a melting pot for a plethora of people. I think it would be so interesting to run the front desk of a hotel. You have the opportunity to come across so many different individuals, possibly get to travel around the country/world being transferred, and who doesn't love the chance to stay for free at hotels?

Musical Artist:

I may have to learn how to play a musical instrument first, but hear me out. All of the concerts that I've attended, I've thrived from the energy that the artist generates from stage. There is so much passion into writing music and delivering it for thousands to hear. I love that! It's one of the neat things that just gets me saying...that is so_o cool! One day, if only in my dreams, will my photo be posted on the MTV windows on Times Square.

Chef:It's no lie that I can eat(downing 19 Del Taco tacos in one sitting is one proof) and recently I've loved discovering new recipes and testing them out. Now I find myself looking at (and wanting)kitchen utensils. For example I'm dying for a Kitchen Aid like this one, I even stare at them while at SAM'S. I'd love to have a kitchen of my own with all the utensils ever made and just cook all day long. I'd even have one of my own catch phrases when I tossed in an ingredient like ZWAH (it's just a throw out option...I'll keep working on it).

World Traveler:I'd love travel. Planes, trains, or automobiles...I love it! I'd love to look back at life and say, "Yea, I saw every country." The world is so fascinating. The different lifestyles of people, the landmarks all over the work, the cultures, etc, etc, etc. Maybe I'll become a writer for Frommers or Fodo travel books and they can send me all over the world!

Broadway Actor:Bright lights, city nights...Broadway! Just like going to a concert, Broadway leaves me with the energy and delight that I just want to chasse with jazz hands down the streets belting out the finale song. Heaven knows I won't get in on singing so I'll just have to go for a back-up dancer who mumbles the melody in each song. They have those people right? Don't crush my dreams dreamcrusher!

Model:

Free clothes, getting your hair and makeup done by professionals, playing dress-up for a living...sign me up! Plus who wouldn't want to be beautiful like these girls? I'll just have to workout everyday and get on a diet eating just a cube of cheese daily, oh and not to mention grow a foot. Yea...I'll work on it!

Photographer:I absolutely adore photography! I've always wanted to hire a photographer to follow me around and just take pictures doing everyday things, no not because I do interesting things or I'm super gorgeous. There is just something about capturing moments of life for them to preserved through the years is just beautiful to me. I find myself wandering onto photographers web pages seeing the styles and techniques they use in their work. When I get magazines too, I've always loved to go through and notice the different angles the photographer used (and how they capture the clothes...duh!). Maybe I'll just buy myself a nice camera and set up a photo booth on the corner of University and Center.

Mother:Fooled you all with this one huh. If I have to adopt to go through surrogacy...baha, baby mama... I am having a child of my own! I might just follow BYU stereotype and get my MRS degree and get prego! I'm kidding, not but seriously, I'm kidding.

I might just combine them all together and become a world traveling mother who models for the band by playing the cow bell and taking their photos and scores them free hotel stays because I am a chef at a Marriott. And on weekends I dance for Andrew Loyd Weber's newest Broadway show...yea.

2009-02-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Dancing...

2009-02-01T14:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I sub-taught a tap class of 7-9 year-old girls for a friend and it brought me back to my years of dancing. Things have definitely changed though. I never remember thrusting my body in such harsh ways while wearing little(and I mean tiny) spandex shorts. Oh how the years past and times change. I was hoping to find some dance pictures of me from when I was little, but then again that was pre-digital camera days...so here are ones I could find(unfortunately they are all from high school).

Senior Year Dance Production Concert

University Concert Junior Year

Sophomore Year

I'm really disappointed I couldn't find any from my youth...those were some wicked costumes!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

2009-01-31T13:47:00.000-08:00

Why my mama's the greatest...

She still loves to ski, even if she starts with her back foot out as a rudder...

She puts her family first...
She has always pushed me to be my best...
She loves trying new things (and looks for the positive in it)...
She makes the greatest ginger snaps (and many other delicious things)...

She gets super competitive playing games...

She loves to laugh...even at herself...

etc...etc...etc...

Happy Birthday Mama!!!! You're the greatest, I LOVE YOU!!!

Yesterday...

2009-01-30T16:17:00.001-08:00

yea...it was boogie-down-groovy fun

Tonight...

2009-01-29T12:20:00.000-08:00

If you happen to be in Salt Lake City tonight around let's say 7:30pm stop by to see this wonderful equation...

PLUS

PLUSPLUS

PLUS
PLUS

EQUALS

ONE GREAT SHOW!!!!

Locked Out...

2009-01-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

After five hours of class and a couple crums of Chex Mix for a snack I start walking home with big plans to make a delicious PB&J sandwich and watch Scrubs. I get to my door...locked...I look in my backpack for my key to open the door...missing. No problem, I'll just text my roommates to see if they are home...in Salt Lake. So I'm freezing cold and starving with no keys or money(I happened to leave my wallet in my room as well). So here I am, sitting in the SWKT, stomach grumbling and hand frozen. Thanks for entertaining me on the phone Mom!

I've done this multiple times this year but have always gotten lucky enough to have an unlocked door or a roommate home. Not any more though, never again will I forget my key...

I'll just link my key to the back of my necklace everyday...because I never forget complete my outfit with jewelry(priorities people!).
Alright so now that's solved I just have to find a way to get food before my two hour night class at six. Maybe I'll go beg for food at the Cougareat...

Rainy days...

2009-01-24T16:35:00.000-08:00

I love the rain(and cute umbrellas)!

Weekend adventures...

2009-01-22T13:10:00.000-08:00

Saturday was our big concert for Foot Poetry. They crammed 31 numbers into an hour and a half show, they moved it right along. Thanks everyone for coming, it was a great show. I always love the rush of performing, especially tap!

Tara, Alli, Carly, and I in "Praise You" costumes

Fans: Allison, Abby, and Danielle

Sunday I went over to the Ewell's for dinner and annual MLK Day James Bond Sleepover
Monday we had the day off so Abby, Kelsy, and I drove into Park City for the Sundance Film Festival. We didn't see any films (bummer), or famous people(double bummer), but we did have some fun.

Kelsy and I on Main Street

The Rack...

2009-01-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

The only thing I love more than Nordstroms is Nordstroms Rack. You can find the same clothes(OK not as new) but for cheaper. For example...This Juicy Couture blouse and Rock and Republic Jeans...all mine for a combined price of $50! Mind you that it's a steal to find R&R jeans for $200...got mine for $40.

A glorious day of shopping once again!

PS...see you on Saturday!

Showtime...

2009-01-12T20:16:00.000-08:00

To get tickets go to the Covey Center for the Arts at

425 West Center Street, Provo, Utah

call 801) 852-7007

or coveycenter.org

It's going to be one amazing show...no bias here.

21st Birthday...

2009-01-11T21:38:00.000-08:00

Fun, huh?
I got a lot of goofy stares after that went up.

Winter Break

2009-01-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

I hate playing catch-up, maybe because that's all I do. So instead of giving you the play-by-play I'm just going to throw out some highlights...day by day.

Monday: Liberty State Park and Ferry to Statue of Liberty
Tuesday: Bus trip around New York City

Wednesday: Ball drop at Times Square!
Thursday: 13: A New MusicalFriday: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Saturday: Philladelphia, Pennsylvania and Grandma's Birthday
Sunday: Fly back to Utah

Monday: School...too much of it. Snow!

Tuesday: More school and more snow!

Wednesday: More, more school!
Thursday: First tap lesson...and more school!

Family adventures...

2008-12-28T18:56:00.000-08:00

Monday: TyRee, her sister Lindsay, my cousin Andrew, and my great-aunt Eleanor will be flying in to Newark International. Who knows what the day will bring, but you can bet we'll have a good time. The Manwarings will arrive at the house on Monday night after spending the day in NYC and seeing Wicked.
Count at the house: 15

Tuesday: A group will go into NYC to do some site seeing, ice skating, show viewing...whatever we please. Later that night, my two great-uncles and their wives( Albert and Pat, Bob and Karen) will arrive in NJ just in time for New Years Eve.

Count at house: 19

Wednesday: NEW YEARS EVE!!!! Barriers are set up and traffic streets are closed at 4pm. Two hours later the celebrations begin! Throughout the night we'll see performances by Ludacris, Lionel Riche, Taylor Swift, and The Jonas Brothers (I know, so good right?)We'll be partying all the way to the ball drop at the beginning of 2009!!

Thursday and Friday we will probably be showering hourly, sleeping when we can find a spot to rest our heads, getting acupuncture to relax...the basic recovery from a night in the city.

Saturday and Sunday will bring on more adventures you can only find on the east coast. Maybe a drive to Pennsylvania (Gettysburg and other historical sites), northern New York (other tourist traps), maybe a visit to the MARS plant to see how M&Ms are made.

Whatever we do, whatever we see...it's always an adventure in this family!

PS...LOOK FOR US ON TV!!

NJ Snow Day...

2008-12-21T15:51:00.000-08:00

So apparently when you live in Jersey, if it's snowing, you stay in your home all day. No matter the amount that falls from the sky, if it's snow that's coming down, put back on your pj's and crawl into bed. So in honor of my first NJ winter day, I stayed in my pajamas, but had some fun doing it...

Decorated the Christmas tree...this picture is a re-enactment of a true story.

Made a couple snow angels in the fresh powder...

It snowed literally all day, well all of my day. It was snowing when I woke up and snowing when I went to bed. This picture was taken in the morning...on our deck we had gotten four inches, but on the lawn it measured six. So I'm predicting we got a good foot of snow.

It might had been a lazy day, but it was just what I needed to recover from finals (silent cheer). Looking forward to more snow for a White Christmas!

East coast Christmas...

2008-12-15T18:26:00.000-08:00

As finals fizzle down and the day to fly out to the east coast comes nearer...here are some things I am looking forward to this holiday season...

Browse the Holiday Windows in downtown NY

Outdoor ice-skating. Crossing my fingers for a serendipitous moment.

Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza. Say "HEY" to Liz Lemon while I'm there.

Hopefully get in a couple Broadway shows.

Hit the Mountain Creek slopes

Oh don't forget about the Biggest New Year's Eve Bash in Times Square!

Hope you all have a Happy Holiday Season!

Disco divas...

2008-12-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

Here's what you missed out on on Wednesday...

So in case you were wondering where I found that fabulous disco fringe costume...I wore it when I was 13 years-old! Yes, it is really tight and really short...we sacrifice for fashion though! And I realize the peace sign is upside-down. I like to think of it as an anti-war statement, a cheer for BYU, or cheap and lazy costume makers who know nothing of this world but sequins and cheap lycra.

Reminder...

2008-12-10T11:47:00.001-08:00

Come see Foot Poetry do a little dance, make a little fun, get down tonight...TONIGHT!! It's at Mountain View High School in Orem, UT (665 W Center Street) at 8pm. It is a free show so come and enjoy some tappa tappa.

countdown...last day of classes tomorrow, so only a week till I fly home (well, to Jersey).

PS...will it snow already!

Working woman...

2008-12-07T23:26:00.000-08:00

I have a job next semester! I will be teaching Dance 135 (beginning tap) at Brigham Young University. I'm super excited. I had meetings this week with the dance department head and my tap advisor to discuss final details. The class I will be teaching has 25 students, a full class. The neatest thing about it is my name is listed in the University Catalog as an instructor...

Pretty neat, huh?

Fakers...

2008-12-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

Since leaving amazing CA, I've been in IN-N-OUT craving mood. I was to the point that I was going to jump in my car and drive to Vegas just to eat one. Last night, as I was driving home from my Salt Lake class-I hate physics with a passion-I remembered the copycat IN-N-OUT located just in American Fork. I swung a right off the freeway exit and a-lined to Chadder's.

I've eaten here before, it's curbed my appetite, but something about last nights meal wasn't working for me. First off, don't ask if I want fry sauce with my fries...that's only ruining the experience for me. The fries were bathed in enough oil to take away from the deliciousness of the fresh potatoes; the hamburger was just awful...awful! After taking the last bite, I was not satisfied...I was still hungry! I've learned my lesson...don't trust anything but the real IN-N-OUTs.

Point me home to delicious CA style hamburgers and fries golden IN-N-OUT arrow!

What's skinny...

2008-12-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

This is mostly for my family...
When skinny is google searched...these are a couple pictures that come up:

Disgusting Trendy

Inhuman

Now here is a picture of me...to compare:

It's like comparing apples and oranges...apples and oranges.

Jolly Countdown

2008-12-01T13:47:00.000-08:00

It always seems that when December rolls around it's one of the busiest months of the year. So for my sake (and yours, if you care)...here's what I'll be doing for the next 31 days...countdown style.

10 days...

Foot Poetry is performing at Mountain View High School in Orem, UT. 8pm...be there to boogie!

11 days..

Last day of classes! I don't think I'll be running with such cheer on my face though...I'll be crying all the way to the library as I go to study for finals.

15 days...

First day of finals...one week of torture. Four finals in three days! I will be sleeping on my books trying to prove the osmosis theory correct.

18 days...

New Jersey here I come! This will be my first white Christmas at my parents house. Something to surely celebrate.

25 days...

Happy Christmas...this means I only have 24 days to buy Christmas gifts. I better get on that.

31 days...

In honor of our first winter on the east coast, my family and 13 other family and friends will be celebrating the new year at the party of all New Years parties. Look for us on TV!

Yep...I'm a New Years Baby! I'll be celebrating my birthday with all of New York City...I'm only guessing, but I think it will be 20 thousand times cooler than at the New Years Eve Stake Youth Dance. I'll I have to do is write it on a poster and wave it like crazy for Dick Clark and I can get twenty seconds of fame (and hopeful fortune).

No better day to start but today...

Boogie Shows

2008-11-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

The performance was great! Although we were missing twenty plus people, we disco danced our proudest. Many of the other performers included eleven year olds hip hop dancing to Christmas music in neon spandex shorts, and little eight year olds in a Utah style jazz routine. Dare I say our group of twenty through twenty-five year old adults blended right in. Ten tappers from Foot Poetry with director Colleen West

Only two more days until I sink my teeth into this!

Glory glory!

DiscoMania...

2008-11-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

Tap company Foot Poetry is performing Saturday in the Poinsetta Festival located at the Highland Gardens in Highland, Utah. This will be our first performance as a company! If you are free at 3pm and in Utah...come watch! If you happen to have a great disco/70s costume/item of clothing, could I possibly borrow it?

Weekend Update...

2008-11-18T08:11:00.000-08:00

It was a movie filled weekend...

Friday, James and Leslie Ewell treated me (Thanks Again Guys!) to the long awaited premier of the newest Bond, James Bond film...Quantum of Solace.

I do love my Bond movies

Other movies of the weekend included:

Anna Faris gets me every time.

A knife to the throat is the only thing that freaks me out. I was peeking through my fingers practically the whole movie.
Nine Months had to be my favorite one of the weekend. If you need a good laugh at some good ol' 1990's film...this is the one. Hugh Grant and Joan Cusack put on a show. It was also nice to see Julianne Moore in a lighthearted movie instead of running around screaming about her missing kids.

If you are looking for a deliciously easy dinner on Sunday I would recommend stuffed crust pizza and blueberry cobbler. Just make sure you have enough string cheese for your crust and don't use old canned flour when making your cobbler. Hint: use a thawed loaf of bread found in the freezer section as your pizza dough and while in the freezer aisle, pick up a bag of your favorite frozen fruit and use it for your cobbler.

The bad news was hearing that Brea had a hot weekend. Fires broke out all over Orange County and a couple of those were in my hometown of Brea, CA. It's been reported that the fields at the high school were burned and many families were evacuated from their homes. It was hard to get a call from my dad asking what I wanted pulled in case of evacuation. There is so much of Brea that I love it was scary to hear of the destruction while 600 miles away.Lucky the Brea fires have been put out, but some still remain in Orange County. Keep them in your prayers.

Baby Mama's a Mama

2008-11-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

I know it's really late but this can not go unnoticed. Will Arnett and Amy Pohler's son was born! Archie Arnett! I have ten thousand on this kid being the next greatest Gob character on SNL. I approve of them having more children. Keep it coming funny family...comedy is looking up! The only bad thing about this is Amy is leaving the SNL cast. Too bad she'll be gone before Christmas...my dream of seeing her "Live from New York" just got crushed.

PS...don't drink milk if on Ammoxicillin and Hydroco. You'll end up sleeping on the bathroom floor only to wake up every thirty minutes for three hours on your knees talking to the big white operator.

Scalpel, suture...

2008-11-11T08:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks to family genetics and braces I will be going under the knife today for gum surgery. I think I'm going to slip the dentist some candy bars to see if he can throw some special touches in...whitening possibly, or just some vaneers? I'll see what some Snickers Charged can get me. If you need me I'll be cuddled up in bed with my heat lamp on high catching up on Arrested Development probably drugged on vicodin.

Hurry up and make the movie already!

music music

2008-11-10T14:55:00.000-08:00

After a busy stressful week (2 papers, 3 tests) I decided to treat myself to a little entertainment.The Spill Canvas was opening for OneRepublic...I just HAD to go! It was well worth it, I got the set list and all! When OneRepublic was performing I almost half expected little David Archuleta to come out and sing Apologize with them...I guess he is a big album artist now, way beyond those American Idol karaoke appearances. Way to go little Archie!Counting down to Thanksgiving in sunny CA!