i'll come out smiling like a snowman in a blizzard

wow, january is nearly over...i'm really glad it's leaving in better conditions than it came in. so far i'm doing pretty okay with my new years resolutions.  actually, i'm doing awesome on my biggest resolution.  like, so awesome.  perhaps someday i'll tell you about it...it's one of those inner battles with those debilitating demons in your head.  those demons are currently getting their butts kicked.  

in the meantime, enjoy some january highlights:
brennan got back from the break january 2nd and we spent the last couple days living it up before crunch time...

because we're such classy, cool cats, we love nickel city.

he worked me in almost every game we played.

we danced our little hearts out and had more fun than just about anyone at sydnee and david's wedding.  really though, i think syd and her new husband were the only one's having more fun than us.

then we hiked our little hearts out up big springs.  

with no new snow we saw plenty of large animal prints frozen in the snow...

and some really beautiful views.

with the new semester i had to hit the ground running.  between a promotion at my job and serving as relief society president, the first week of school left little room to breathe.  luckily, brennan was gone that whole week at med school interviews..i mean, i was sad he was gone, but glad.  you know what i mean.  but since then, we've made time for some more fun...

again, brennan worked me.  

this time in bowling.  

the only thing i beat him at were the granny shots

spent mlk weekend at the cabin hanging out with three 14-year-old girls.  

we had a ton of fun sledding and goofing around in the snow with them.

and now it's the month of love

and we fully intend to start it out right--

thank heavens for this new snow the last couple of days...

snowbird, here we come.

peace+love

ducks are cannibals

on monday night as i was walking to the library i saw a duck eating something on the sidewalk in between the jsb and the benson building.  this is normal because there are always ducks on the south side of campus.  but it looked like it was eating a dead animal.  i couldn't tell what it was so i just stared and stared as i passed till i realized it was another duck.  um.  ya.  so then my friend and i decided to google it and see if ducks are cannibals.  this is what we found.
THIS links to a government website that give guidelines on brooding and rearing ducks.

this is a hilarious, way worth your time to read excerpt from an article on this website:
Here's a real quote from a government website on duck-rearing: "Although cannibalism can begin in ducks of any age, ducklings over 4 weeks old are more prone to develop this vice." Okay, I'll just stop things here. I love how they refer to cannibalism as a 'vice.' Like, "Oh yeah, remember that Jeffrey Dahmer? He had quite a vice." A 'vice' is enjoying lottery tickets or eating an extra slice of pie, not eating an extra slice of your roommate. Back to the government advice, "The underlying reasons for birds turning to cannibalism are not known, but it is associated with boredom and is aggravated by overcrowding, lack of ventilation, faulty nutrition." Where to begin. Ducks become cannibals due to boredom. Boredom?! I didn't even know ducks could get bored. It seems kind of a high mental state for their kind. But even so. Boredom?! That's not an excuse. When you get bored, you watch a movie, do some needlepoint or something. Nobody has ever thought, "Damn I'm bored! might as well eat old Howard Delaney." According to the experts, however, that is how ducks think. Oh, and it can aggravated. So boredom is the main reason. But "faulty" nutrition (whatever that is) and a slightly stodgy atmosphere is enough to set them off on a cannibalistic murderfest. It gets worse. "The only known way to stop it is to remove the rim at the front of the bird’s upper bill." That's right: you have to cut off their mouths to make them stop eating each other. Apparently entertaining them somehow--hiring a magician or clown--doesn't work. Y'just have to cut off their mouths.

well, ever since then i have seen more ducks than in my entire life combined.  and now they freak me out.  brooke, you think whales are bad?  ducks are now at the bottom of the list for me.
peace+love

a story in first person objective

i went on a date last night with this guy in my Shakespeare class.  he took me to see Kishi Bashi in concert at Kilby Court.  it was a pretty neat concert (plus he's japanese...and, well, i love asians).  during the encore i was just watching the band when i noticed someone pushing the woman in front of me.  all of the sudden there was a man on the ground--he'd passed out.  i turned around to look for my date.  i saw him leaning down to help the guy on the ground.  when i looked closer i realized that wasn't my date....my date was the one passed out on the ground.  um.  ya.  he got right up again and seemed like he was totally okay.  i asked him if he wanted to go outside and get some air.  he said he'd be okay for the rest of the song.  apparently he wasn't.  30 seconds later he fell in slow motion to the ground again.  this time he fell backward and all these people gathered around him.  he jumped right up again after about 8 seconds.  by then the song had ended and we walked out for some fresh air.
i never really talk about my love life on my blog because it's public.  maybe i'll go private.  cause as my mother pointed out to me today when i told her this story, there is never a dull moment.  i go on plenty of dates, and even if i don't like the guy that much i almost always come home with a good story.

peace+love

sweet sounds

while i admit there's no haven like cedar city, happy valley actually isn't too shabby of a place.  we're surrounded by beautiful, majestic mountains, some decent cycling routes, and some pretty awesome bands have even come from this little place on the wasatch.
just a couple of my favorites lately...

book on tape worm

imagine dragons

and just because i love my dear friend nick hardy so much, i'll promote his band here too...

(nick is the one on the couch without the guitar not in a dress)

robert and the carrolls

happy listening

peace+love

close encounters of the third kind

today i experience a moment in which i was embarrassed to be a girl.
for the 4th of july, provo puts on a parade on university ave.  the night before is a mad house.  people are camped out all along the street to get a good seat for the parade.  i went to visit an mtc companion along the route.  while i was there, her sister in law jumped in front of some guy walking down the sidewalk and said, "jef!  can i take a picture with you?"  my comp jumped up and said, "it's jef from the bachelorette!"  i don't watch that show so i don't actually care and just sat patiently on the grass when to my horror, a large group of girls, once they realized who my comp and her sister in law were taking a picture with, began to gather around jumping up and down, squealing and waving their hands around like lunatics. i heard comments like, "jef with one f, i love him!"  "oh my freaking gosh, my life is now complete."  oh dear...
every time a camera was put in front of his face he flashed a smile like a pro.  he was totally eating it up.
and now 1/3 of the female attendees new facebook profile pic is that of her with her "new boyfriend" jef.

i wonder if jesus were walking through that same crowd he'd get the same reaction...
peace+love

what can i say?

...i'm so sad since you went away.

i am such a zoobie...

urban dictionary says:  A term used in Utah, mainly Utah Valley, to describe the excited bunch of mormons that go to BYU and engage in excessive social activities. (there was another definition that was a bit more derogatory and a little less true in my circumstances...plastic? i think not...)

in the last week and a half i have:

-been to a fireside about dating and eternal marriage
-hiked up to the y at night several times
-drawn on the sidewalk with chalk outside my front door
-done free laser tagging
-ridden my bike all over town
-not starved thanks to the so charitable donations some call "dates"
-discovered the hidden beauty of american fork canyon
-oh, and friday i have a "blind date"
....i was slightly dreading moving back to provo, but i must say, zoobie summer life ain't so bad after all. plus, i love my job...

peace+love

fabulous news...

i didn't melt.

but i did...get my nails done, pet a barn owl, ate WAY to much food, experienced my first nutella fountain (can you say heaven?), took a nighttime swim, made wedding bouquets, met one of this boys old companions, saw the mesa temple, met the joker, ate more food, got to spend 5 days with my bff/former roomate, made some great friends, drove 15 hours total through the beautiful desert, visited with my aunt and uncle, almost hit a deer, and ate more food.

all in all

success.

peace+love

m.i.a.

Phoenix Weather

Updated: Jun 9, 2010, 11:05am MST

Right Now

Fair

95° F

Feels Like: 92° F

Wind: From N at 6mph

Details

Webcam | Video

if i don't come back in a week it's cause i melted.

peace+love

sometimes, i feel like crying

but not today...
spring break =
a new road bike
crazy heart
jonah dumping dirt on my head
working for g-pa
sunshine
insanity
skiing
bad sunburn as a result
blisters on my face as a result
top hat video
too much junk food
the cabin
hot springs
sledding
laughing
don pedros
invisible children
changing my major
transferring schools (did i just say that out loud??)
too much driving

trampoline jumping
hanging out with my awesome adopted little sister
and more driving

peace+love

sad sunday

actually today will be a really happy day, but i'm kinda sad that this year pi day falls on a sunday. then there are no pi numeral competitions or pie-eating contests to attend. plus i don't actually think suu has any festivities even when it's on a weekday. byu did. it was pretty much the best day of the year. so...act like a nerd, do an equation, wear some suspenders, or if you're like me and math makes you nauseaus, just eat some pie and have a

happy pi day!

no, this does not have anything to do with pi day, but i just saw crazy heart with my parents and i really love this song...plus ryan bingham is attractive...just listen...you won't be sorry.

you make me smile like the sun

one time i did a pageant. this is the good that came out of it. (sydney, the blonde). sometimes chance leads us to our funnest moments in life. (full story here)
i miss you, sydney!sorry sydney, for whatever weird reason this is the only picture i have of us on my computer...but i tried.

peace+love

a letter from mrs. jarrah

thanks for:
sharing my bed
inviting me to backpack europe
and being my source of sanity for the last 4 days of the trip
being my shoulder to cry on (and not judging me...seeing as i don't cry)
my favorite christmas present ever aka chocolate soy and jr. mints
bringing my other favorite roommate to visit me in cedar
being a mutual friend with ingrid michaelson
and jim bianco...and cary brothers...we're cool
participating in my spontaneous ideas
really understanding my taste in men
having a great (similar) taste in music
1 a.m. study session at the hospital
staying up late to watch LOST
being a fan of my music
loving me for me

i mean really...what kind of friend leaves these kinds of notes on my bed/table along with a box of jr. mints?

"My dearest Kelli..
good luck on your finals this week! When you are done you can run away with me to a deserted island forever... love Sayid"

there aren't many people who really know me better

congratulations to the soon to be
Mrs. Kelsey Elaine Cole.
i hope we can still have sleepovers sometimes. i know how much you love the memory foam.

{click to enlarge}

peace+love

you'll regret not reading this post...

...well, maybe not cause you won't know what you missed. but trust me, you do not want to miss out on this. it was written by my hilarious little sister, kerri, whose blog is private. which i am sorry for all of you who are not invited to read it because seriously, she is the funniest person i know.
definitions:
ward fhe=family home evening with a big group of single students who attend the same church

"on monday we had a ward FHE. the activity was roller skating. ya totally sweet. me and my roommate dressed up in tight spandex pants and were able to stretch them over our skates, we looked awesome. anyway so we are just having a grand ol' time skating around the track, but im really not so good at skating. we crash a few times trying to go under each others legs, we definitely supplied the entertainment for the night. then i see my roommate talking to a boy she likes but they weren't skating so i decided to go get them to skate. i skated over and as i was nearing the step up that goes off the track i decided to jump. FAIL. i jumped and when i landed i fell flat on my butt. they thought it was so funny and so did i. but it gets better. later i saw a boy from my fhe group who i've known all year, he's a cool kid. DISCLAIMER: he is paralyzed from the waist down. anyway i decided to go get him to skate with me. he is sitting by the bishop and counselor. i skate toward him, and as i am nearing the step up i decide to try and jump again. he sees me coming so he puts his hand out to help me. thats perfect now i wont fall. wrong. i grabbed his hand as i jumped, then as i fell i didn't let go of his hand and i pulled him right out of his chair. yes that is right. the poor helpless kid couldn't really do much since i had a hold of his working limbs. so helplessly he just fell onto the floor with me. i couldn't stop laughing and neither could he. the bishop on the other hand looked at me like i had just caused wwIII or something."

peace+love

mmmm....winter

snow is painting the branches and the only thing on my ankle is a brace.

and tomorrow, two of my best girls are coming to visit me along with mi padres.
here's why:

SUU Opera Theater presents:
Vixens, Rascals, and Saints
November 13th-14th
7:30 p.m.
Thorley Recital Hall

also, i finally learned you can't be perfectly happy all of the time. but that's what makes the times you are so great.

peace+love

note the disclaimer

(yes, that is a handgun he is carving into a pumpkin)

Robison Sundell

September 28, 1985-October 23, 2009
to the nicest "frat" boy and one of the manliest men I've ever known, i was already missing our (sometimes heated) conversations about gun control and you bringing a gun into my house, and jumping on the trampoline
i especially miss your onesie p.j.'s
thanks for saying you liked my pumpkin pie
see you in the next life my friend

peace+love

yes, this is a serious post: if you like to participate in any extreme sports [i.e. longboard, skate board, ski, snowboard] please wear a helmet. thanks

weeeeeesha

10 words to describe the i'll-never-have-a-better-roommate-ever (besides my husband) alicia:
1-wise
2-beautiful
3-classy
4-witty
5-untouchable
6-hard working
7-courageous
8-great cook
9-reliable
10- but a heart-breaker

happy 21st birthday!

peace+love

in an attempt to persuade kerri (my lil sis)

this week i:
-flew a kite
-went bouldering
-roasted mallows
-went to a movie
-hiked to angel's landing

and still had time to
-get 100% on one test and 99% on the other
-opera rehearsal 3 nights
-practice everyday
-write a sacrament meeting talk

i love my new school

peace+love

vertigo

we decided to go on a little hike this weekend...little=15 miles...we started at the aspen grove trailhead at 1:45 a.m. the first 5 hours were okay...then we got to the ridge--it was like watching the 3rd lord of the rings, you know, the one with the 6 false endings...the sun was coming up and we realized we weren't at the summit...
b-"we've got to go to the summit"
me-"it's really steep and i haven't slept in 24 hours"
b-"but we're so close"
me-"i might die, but you know i can't say no"
the ridge is very deceiving...what we thought was the summit was actually about 300 yards away from the real summit...
me-"i actually really hate you right now"
b-"you'll be glad you did it"
only because that night i was treated to a very LARGE ice cream cone...
peace+love

toto, we're not at byu anymore

today i was sitting in the library reading my history book when i saw something out of the corner of my eye...i looked up only to find a woman dressed in a full-length black dress with a black hat and a black veil covering her face walking very slowly in front of me--almost stopping...my heart began to pound and my feet got all tingly like they were ready to run away from any sudden movements...she walked to the end of the row of chairs, turned very slowly, and began walking away...creepy...
after that i decided i was going home to study, safe from any strange women dressed in black...when i told my friend lindsey about it she acted like it was totally a normal thing to happen at suu...when i told my roommates about it, liz informed me she was advertising for the fall shows of the Shakespearean festival, specifically "lady in black"--that play is going to scare the beegeebees out of me
peace+love

kewwwwwi

yay! kerri has a blog!
peace+love