Graduation, Moving, Polo!

We had quite the eventful day yesterday. It started out nice an early. We went up to Logan for Maddie's graduation from Utah State. For those of you who do not know, she graduated with a BA in Journalism and a minor in human development and family studies. It was alot of fun. After that we had to help Maddie and Ben move down to Salt Lake, which was not very fun. They are living down here for the summer, because Maddie has an internship with the Deseret News. She will be writing for the Mormon Times section on Thursdays, so make sure to start looking for her articles. After the move, we went up to Park City to see Emily play in the JV water polo state game. Kearns JV girls beat out Skyline for the championship title. It was awesome. Varsity state is in 2 weeks, so look for a blog on how our varsity girls do. Natalie will be playing in that. Here are some photos to show our activities from yesterday.

state champs!
Me and my friend Brady. This is going to be our engagement photo

Me with one of my crazy swimmers I use to coach

Another crazy swimmer I use to coach

Morgan!

Kearns polo

Natalie creeping up the staris to Maddie and Ben's old apartment

My Bro-in-law Ben and me

Ben and Maddie at graduation

Family. We are so proud of Maddie!

Utah State!

My hands were a bit chilly here

Ever wonder what happens when Hallmark writers are having a bad day?

My tire was thumping,
I thought it was flat,
When I looked at the tire,
I noticed your cat.

Heard your wife lert you,
How upset you must be.
But dont fret about it,
She moved in with me.

Looking back over the years,
That we've been together,
I can't help but wonder...
What the heck I was thinking.

Congratulations on your wedding day!
Too bad no one likes your husband.

How could two people as beautiful as you,
Have such and ungly baby?

I've always wanted to have
Someone to hold,
Someone to love.
After having met you,
I've changed my mind.

I must admit, you brought Religion into my life.
I never believed in Hell until I met you.

As the days go by,I think of how lucky I am.
That you're not here to ruin it for me.

Congratulations on your promotion.
Before you go...
Would you like to take this knife out of my back?
You'll probably need it again.

Happy Birthday! You look great for your age.
Almost lifelike.

When we were together,
You always said you'd die for me.
Now that we've broken up,
I think it's time you kept your promise.

We have been friends for a very long time.
Let's say we stop?

Your friends and I wanted to do something special for your birthday.
So we're having you put to sleep.

Has anyone ever seen this movie? Does anyone know where I could find this movie? Does anyone have a copy of this movie I could borrow?

Hey, I'm Still Here!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. Watch this video clip and look how sad. I liked her and I'm sad she got voted off American Idol last Wednesday.

Sleepy Students

I am tired, just like every other student on campus. I am ready for this semester to be over. (We only have 2 and a half weeks until finals - YIKES!) This week, I have found that I really look forward to my stress management class. We are learning about autogenic relaxation techniques, imagery techniques, breating exercises, and other hypnotic techniques that help reduce or manage stress. We practice these in class. This is the best part, because it involves my teacher turning out the lights in a windowless classroom at 10:00 in the morning, as we listen to a CD instruct us on relaxing our bodies and focusing on our breating. On Wednesday, we did this, only for about 5 minutes, and focused only on breathing. Today, we did an imagery relaxation tachnique that lasted for about 15 minutes. I only remember being able to listen to the first 5 minutes or so of the instructional CD. After that, everything was a blur. I was either extremely relaxed, or asleep, which would be a reasonable answer seeing that I went to be at 2:00 in the morning 2 nights in a row and then having to wake up early for school. Whatever it was, it felt good. I wish all my classes could involve a stress management section for about 10 minutes. That would be so nice. This brings me to another point I just have to make about being a health major. I spend all day with other health nerds just like me. All my professors have the MPH, or Phd in public health. Unlike other subjects, health teachers are always concerned about the well-being of us students. In math classes that I have taken, the professor walks in and immediately starts lecturing and writing insane equations and numbers all over the board. In the health department, my professors causually walk in and slowly hook up their laptops for our powerpoint lecturs. But as the do this, they always ask how we are doing, if we all are ok because we sure do look sleep deprived, and then they usually comment on the weather. They complain about the dang snow storms that keep students home from school. But they praise the nice weather and opportunity if offers us to get outside and engage in some physical activity. Then they finally start the lecture. Sometimes during the lecture, professors will ask if we are all still doing ok. Once, one of my professors look at us and said, "you all look just burnt out right now. I should just stop the lecture." It's great, I love my major.

What I Like To Drink:

Fruit Smoothies

This new V8 Vfusion is soooooooo yummy!

Hot chocolate. (Don't worry, I don't drink coffee.)

Choolate milk

Diet coke, espically if it's diet vanilla coke

Water from my nalgene

I HATE.....................

DATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially blind dates! Next time someone sets me up on a blind date, remind me to just say NO! I don't want to go into all the dirty details, but just trust me on this.

Spring Break: Day 1

Today was my first day of spring break. I took some hilarious videos of some events this evening, but I can't get them to upload! If you really want to see them, you'll just have to hang out with me on my spring break!

What I did today:

1.) woke up

2.) ate breakfast

3.) drove my mom to the places she needed to go (her doctor's appt, gas, sonic drinks.)

4.) lounged and watched episodes of Gilmore Girls

5.) went to work for 3 hours

6.) worked out after my shift

7.) came home, ate dinner, watched Emily imitate the Aristocats

Not that I'm not enjoying spring break how it is, but let me just leave you with some pictures of where I WISH I was for spring break:

Hawaii! It must be so warm there.

Route 66! I think it sounds fun!

Kayaking!

Mountain biking!

Are You Sure It is Not Final's Week?

School is killing me! Studying is exhausting me! I'm not getting enough sleep. I can't relax. My back muscles are so tense! I want to go to bed now, but I can't. Are you sure this week, and last week, have not been final's week? Thank goodness for spring break. I get all next week off from school. It's about time. I need sleep.

Premonition

I have been having weird premonitions all day. Now, my premonition is not about anything really exciting. My premonition is about having a broken foot. It all started last night, while I was sleeping. I had a weird dream. I dreamt that I had some sort of foot surgery or problem and had to have my foot all casted up. I chose a pink cast, which is totally not me. The doctor who put my cast on was one of our old lifeguard shift supervisors from a few years ago, named Jaylene. She didn't put the cast on tight enough in my dream. The cast started to fall off, so me and someone else went to look for some first aid tape to tie the cast on tight. But all we could find was some sort of whip cream substance. Then I woke up. So I get ready for school, and commute up to the U, and my day is going pretty normal, so far. Then, one of my professors suddenly tells us about the time she broke her foot. This immediately reminded me of my dream. But I really got weirded out when I was waiting for TRAX to go home. A student walked right past me and he was limping! He must have had a hurt foot! All I can say now is that I better be carefull what I do with my feet. Next thing I know, an aligator might come out of the ground and eat my foot off my body!

My Dream Vacations...

David Archuleta, and John Lennon, Could American Idol Get Any Better Than This? I Think Not!

A Little More Conversation, A Little More Action

I have shocking news: I, Lauren the loser, Laura, L-Dawg, Lauraleena, La-La, Lolipop, Lar-wie, whatever you want to call me, have a blind date this Friday. Aparently my mom has been telling many of my extended family members that she thinks I need a little action in my life. She wants me to get out of the house on weekends, and, I quote, "have a little bone rattling." Now to me "bone-rattling" just sounds scary. I also found out that my older sister and her husband have been talking about me and my sad dating life. Aparently they have been talking about getting me on a date. I never though I would be the girl that people felt sorry for and felt the need to line her up with some boy. But, to tell you the truth, I'm quite excited about this date. My aunt and uncle are lining me up with a boy in their ward. He is 21, and is a brand new returned missionary. He served in Texas, yee-haw! AND, he is a red-head. I'm real nervous, because I haven't been on a date in a very long time, but I think it is going to be way fun. I'll keep ya'll posted!

Natalie and I Just Can't Get Over This Kid!

Happy President's Day!

I am so exstactic that we didn't have school today! I actually got to sleep in for the first time in weeks! I had the most random dream last night. I had a dream that my cousin Haley and her husband James owned and worked at a snow cone shack. I told my mom about this dream when I woke up and she busted up laughing - you would have to personally know Haley and James to find this so humuous. She made me call my cousin Haley immediately and tell her about. She said she has always wished to own a snow cone shack. :)

Look what my Aunty Judy gave me to add to my colletion. Thanks aunty Judy!

The U of U Has No Mercy!

Happy Valentines day! I hope you all were pleased with the snowstorm that dumped a buttload of snow on us over night! I'm just about to leave for school, because the U has no mercy on students, especially those that have to commute, and never cancel classes! If any of you have watched the news today, there have been school closures like crazy. Emily's school is starting 2 hours late today! School districts are closed everywhere! And these are schools that kids could walk to. Now the U? I have to commute every day to get to school, along with thousands of other students. The U is a commuting school. But, classes are still in progress today. Grrrrr! I remember spring semester last year, there was one day where the U canceled classes at noon. What made me mad about this was that I was allready done with classes at noon, and it wasn't even snowing that bad! It was nothing compared to today. Man, I am ticked off.

On less of a complaining note, have you been watching American Idol? There is this boy from Murray, Utah, who just made the top 24. His name is David Archuleta and he is quite good. AND there is a Mormon girl in the top 24! Her name is Brooke White, and I think I will also be rooting for her. Another contestant I am going to watch is Kristy Lee Cook and Syesha Marcado. I'm so nice, I put some clips of my favorites on here for you all to enjoy, especially for those who don't watch American Idol like Natalie Edge!

This is the Mormon Girl, Brooke White:



Here is David Archuleta, from Utah:



This is Kristy Lee Cook, She's a little bit country:



And finally, Syesha Marcado:

One Year! We Are Halfway Done!

One year ago today, my best friend left on his mission. Jeff Larsen is the coolest person in the world! According to Hannah Montana, "nobody's perfect." But in the case of Jeff, I would have to disagree. I think he is perfect. First of all, he is so nice to me and to anyone he meets. He is never afraid to share his testimony, and his testimony is amazing. He is so smart. Jeff was the valedictorian of my senior class. He also received the Hinckley Scholarship at BYU which is full tuition for 4 years, and yes he still gets this scholarship when he comes home from his mission. Jeff is also an amazing singer. For example, our senior year of high school, the school play was grease. Jeff got the part of the teen angel that Frankie Avelon plays in the original movie. Yes, he sang "Beauty School Drop-Out," and completely stole the show, and Natalie Edge's heart, he he he! Jeff also plays the piano. He can cook really well. Trust me, his dutch oven skills are incredible and he makes this way good breakfast dutch oven meal. I know this because we sluffed classes in highschool one day, went to his house, and ate breakfast. And now Jeff is on a mission serving the Lord. What could be more perfect than someone like that? I can't believe it he has been out for a year. It's crazy, but I am so excited. Here are just a few pictures of Jeff and me for the memories.

And, in honor of Jeff as my best friend, I'd like to make a song dedication. Just click play on the item below.

New Government Health Warning

GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING DO NOT SWALLOW BUBBLE-GUM !!

What The Health?

Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you all know that I now have two blogs. I have a link to my other blog to the right. It is healthnerdstuff.blogspot.com. I have created a health blog, which I will provide health tips and such from my studies at school. PLEASE check it out! It will have some really cool stuff for you to learn about. It will be awesome, I promise!

Snow Day!

I LOVE snow! It's my favorite! We got so much snow last night. We woke up to about a new foot of snow! It was amazing! I shoveled the drive way. I love shoveling snow! It's fun! It took me about an hour and a half to get through our drive way though, because there was so much snow. But it was a blast! And our snow piles are MASSIVE!
I like this tree. It looks pretty with the snow.
Here are my sexy snow shoveling skills in progress.


And of course, we couldn't have a snow shoveling day without Emily catching my skills in action. See for yourself. Just watch this video. And now autographs, please.

Music Quiz

I got this forward from my loving friend Morgy-poo and thought it was kind of fun, so I did it. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

This was kinda fun, and even if you don't think so at least you get to see what kinda music is on my mp3. (which is kinda a weird thing for any of you to care about but ok)


1. Put your MP3 player/ iPod/ iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME & BAND DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

IF SOMEONE SAYS, "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Everlasting Love - Clay Aiken

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Lady in Red - I don't know the artist, but Jeff gave me this song.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Ticket To Ride - Beatles

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Walk Like An Egyptian - Bangels

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Starts With Goodbye - Carrie Underwood

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
You'll Think of Me - Keith Urban

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong - Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice Version.

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Here Comes The Sun - Beatles

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
First Time - Lifehouse

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Crazy on You - Heart

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Better Now - Rascal Flatts

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Light In Your Eyes - Another song Jeff gave me. I know, irony is after me.

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Please Forgive Me - Bryan Adams

WHAT WILL BE PLAYED AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Still Feels Good - Rascal Flatts

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST??
My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
At This Moment - Clay Aiken

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Give A Little Bit - Clay Aiken version

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Breath - Faith Hill

WHAT WILL YOU REPOST THIS AS?
Dream Big - Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband

People, Update! No life? I Hear Ya!

It seems that since the new year has come upon us, hardley any of my peeps are updating their blogs, including me. What's wrong? Has anybody been doing anything fun? I guess I haven't had much to talk about either, or time enough to talk about something. School keeps me pretty busy. Does anyone remember that speed skater Apollo Ono, or whatever his last name is? He was at the pool last night. There's some gossip for ya.

Hardy Har Har!

There are so many funny scenes from Gilmore Girls. I have nothing really to blog about, so why not try and convert some of you fellow readers to watching Gilmore Girls.

Me Encanta Escuela!

Today was the first day of classes. Yes, I had to go back to school. I'm a little sad I don't get to be lazy anymore, but honestly I do enjoy school. It's hard, stressful, and crazy, but there is something addicting about it that motivates me to keep going. Plus, I feel like I'm doing something great with my life. This semester I have a buttload of cool classes for my major! I think this semester will be challenging and exciting. I guess it's good to back.

Yale And BYU Have Nothing In Common!

Some people seem to think that because I am a Yale University fan, that I am a "hiding my BYU pride." To clarify, I am NOT a BYU fan. I am planning on graduating from the University of Utah, so I plan on being red all my life. The only think I like about BYU is that my best friend has a full ride scholarship there. The Yale thing is my own little obsession. Everybody has one secret dream that they wish for all their life buy know will probably never happen. This little dream for me is going to Yale University. I would love to go there, but I know I probably never will. I don't think Yale would ever accept me. I don't think I am smart enough, or rich enough to attend there. But I will always have my dream of going to Yale University. So don't make fun!

In other news, I ate lunch today! Yay for me! In the past 3 days, I think I've eaten 2 meals. I've been sick all weekend with the stomach flu, so you can imagine how eating food was not really an option for me. But I am almost better, just in time for the new year. Yay!

I'm Stylin' Now! Yay For Yale University!

Boxers For Valentines?!?!

One of my fellow blogger friends has some bit going with a friend about giving a crush boxers for Valentines Day. I am so lost! I guess I'm not quite in on what the heck this means. Fellow blogger friend, you know who you are, please explain a little bit more, or I may just give you boxers for Valentines Day, which would be kind of awkward, and I think you know why. Wow, this is a strange blog! Hope ya'll had a very Merry Christmas!

Laughing Baby--This Is Hilarious!

Don't Worry, It's Not Coffee!

My mom and I went to Barnes & Noble today to finish some Christmas shopping stuff. While there, I found the Jane Austen section of books AND the John Steinbeck section. Oh, and the Shakespear seciton of plays. It was so awesome! When we were done we went to the Cafe' and got the B&N hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is one of my favorite things in the world! It's an addiction for me. But it's not just regular chocolate that I like. I like to add flavors to it. I usually put coffee creamer flavors like French Vanilla or Hazelnut, or Peppermint. It's dang delicious! B&N has amazing hot choloate. I got this Toffee Nut flavor syrup, and, oh my crap, it was heavenly! I can't get over it.

Lost And Confused

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" is on my list of the weirdest shows of all time. I use to love it when I was about 8 years old. Now, I am not quite sure why. It is on Disney Channel tonight, so wanted to watch it, just because it is so weird. Well, about 15 minutes into the show I was allready lost and confused. There are like 5 stories going on in one show, and none of them ever really seem to be explained. It's so confusing! I ended up just leaving. Emily is still out in the family room watching it, which is quite funny. She seems to be really into it. Natalie and are were being really loud and obnoxious at the table, as Natalie received some "inspiration" from my old AP English homework I for some reason still have. And as annoying as we were, Emily never budged, or got mad at us, which was strange as it is normal for her to do so. But then again, she isn't watching just any normal show.

How Was Church? Don't Even Ask!

Who knew you could have a bad day at church? Not me! The thought never even crossed my mind. But after today, I could never deny the possibility of having a bad day at church.

Well, the baddness didn't start in sacrament meeting. Sacrament was quite pleasant, plus we sat on a row next to this family with two super cute little boys. They are the hottest tots in our ward! It was Sunday school which actually blew my top. I am a Sunday school teacher for the 13 year olds turning 14. This is the absolute worst age for ANY living, breathing teenager. And I am the lucky one who gets to teach them. So today, I decided to take treats to my class. This is a rare opportuninty because I NEVER bring treats. These obnoxious teens do not need any suger. They have enough hyped up energy and hormones to last a lifetime! I brought these really good assorted cookies. The minute I opened them, one boy, whom we will call "Wilber," runns over and takes one whole variety of 5 cookies in one hand, and another entire variety of 5 cookies in another hand, not allowing anybody else to partake of that particular variety. This ticked me off! Because of Wilbur, I am never taking treats to my sunday school class again! And I made sure that he knew this. Then there were these 2 girls, whom we will call "Bevis" and "Butthead", who were so rude, loud, annoying, and disrespectful. I don't even want to think about them right now. I've had enough of my Sunday school class. Next week, my dad is going to come sit in my class and keep everybody good and respectful, because they won't listen to me. They seem to think that because I am young and not that much older than them, that I am not mean or strict. Therefore they disrespect me. It's just like some of the older kids on the swim team that I coach. They think because I'm a girl and am young, that I don't care how they treat me, but I do. I hate stereotypes!

After sunday school, I went to relief society. Relief society was a little better, until some lady said that young single adults are stupid. A little background on this lady: she is mean, especially to me. I used to be in a young single adult calling. While in this calling, I tried to get involved and tried to go to some of the young single adult activities. This lady was also involved in guiding they YSA's. But she was so mean and uncaring to me and did some things which led me to breakdown to a member of the bishopric to get released from the calling. They expressed apologies to me for what this lady did, and released me. And that experience has totally pushed me away from the young single adult program. I do not try and be involved with it, and I never go to activities thanks to mean lady. So anyways, back to relief society today. One of our relief society leaders was anouncing a young single adult activity where they the young single adults would be going to temple square to see the lights. She also added "make sure you dress warm, although I know the young single adults are probably smart enough to figure that out themselves." That's when mean lady rose her hand and said "no there not!" and looked straight back at me. This really upset me, especially with past things this lady has done and said to me. That was the climax of my bad church day. After that, I just layed on my mom's shoulder and covered my face with my hair so that nobody could see me cry. Hopefully next week will be a better week at church.

Oh My Lanta!

Natalie is one of the girl's team captains for the high school swim team this year. Well, tonight, she hosted a wild girl's team party at our house. I don't think I need to go into detail in writing. Instead, I'll just let you see for yourself some of the activities. High school swimmers are CRAZY FUNNY!

New Blog To Read!

My sister Maddie and her hubby Benny-boo-boo-boo now have a blog. Personally, I think Maddie was just jealous that I am becoming a better writer than her, which is humilating because she is a journalism major and everything. She's just jealous I earned my masters in Microbiology at Yale and am now earning my Ph.D. in Hepatology. Anyways, to make her feel good you should visit her blog at maddieandben.blogspot.com. I also added a link on my site, if you prefer that way.

Finals Are Over: What I'm Going To Do On Christmas Break

I took my last final this evening. Yay me! It feels so good to be done. However I ashamedly admit that I am excited for next semester. I'm really starting to get into my major now, and I've think I've got some pretty good classes set up, so all is well. But nothing feels better than being on Christmas break. I have compiled a list of things I am going/want to do in my time away from school. Here it is:

1. Swim! I rarely have time to swim during each semester. I have turned into a dryland person-you know weights, tredmills, elipticals-stuff like that. But when I have a chance to get back in the water to work-out, I take it!

2. Watch Gilmore Girls! I usually am able to do this on a daily basis. But I am excited because season 7, which is the final season of Gilmore Girls, just came out on DVD. I have it on hold at the library, so I am hoping to get to watch that season over the break.

3. Finish reading "Emma" by Jane Austen. Amazing author, and great book so far.

4. Drive my mom crazy while I'm the only one home, since Natalie and Emily are still in school.

5. Get married....................wait, HECK NO!

6. Relax and catch up on a semester's worth of sleep!

7. Send my missionaries Christmas cards.

I am excited to be on break. This means no commuting for a couple of weeks! Yay! So, funny story. I assume that most that for most college students, celebrations begin after completing finals. From the things I hear at school, I am sure their celebrations on dominated by heavy drinking and other scary stuff. Since I'm not that kind of girl, I celebrate by drinking..............Diet Coke. Oh yes, the breakfast of champions! Let me tell you, it was one heck of a party sitting at home with some Diet Coke. Wow, wow, wow. :)

Finals Nightmares!

This week is finals week. What does that mean? Tests, tests, and oh yeah, more tests. Yup, "it's the most wonderful time of the year. With those pencils and scantrons and books to take naps on when you're dead tired, it's the most wonderful time of they year!" Ok, so that was kind of cheesy. Anyways, I had a health final this morning. And to make it more stressful, I slept horribly last night. But in the small amount of sleep I was able to get, I managed to have a nightmare about my final. For those of you who don't know, my dad works downtown, so I commute with him everyday. But once downtown, I leave him and head up to the U. We ride UTA because his work gives him a free UTA pass, and the U gives all students a free UTA pass, so we save like a buttload of money on gas. Well, today, we planned on driving in, because my final was an early morning one, and we didn't want to have to get on our UTA commute at a freakishly early time. Now we get to my bad dream. I had a dream that I had woken up and gotten ready for my final. But I was waiting for my dad to finish getting ready. In real life, I always seem to beat him at getting ready in the morning, which is funny considering that I'm a girl and girls usually take longer to get themselves ready for the day, so I usually end up waiting for him. Well, we had planned on leaving our house at 6:45, to get to my 8:00 test. But in my dream, my dad took forever and we didn't leave until 7:30, which would not get me to my final in time! It was horrifying! You can imagine how relieved I was to wake up and find this was only a bad dream. A sigh of relief definately came out as I sprug awake. The bad part about waking from this terrible dream was that it woke me at about 4:45 or 5:00 a.m. I didn't have to wake up until 6:00, but I couldn't fall back asleep. I finally started falling back into a deep, relaxing sleep at about 5:45, and then pretty much had to wake up. Bleh! But at least I was on time to my final this morning, right? In fact, I was even about 15 minutes early, so I got to squeeze in a last minute study session right before. I'm just glad that last night's dream did not turn out to be a dream come true!