I'm tired all day and I don't sleep at night...

Hence, this blog post. Which is probably dangerous...but hey. Whatever.
This blog post is dedicated to my BEST FRIEND in the WHOLE world, Aaron Nelson.

Isn't he handsome? 

Aaron and I have known each other for the past three years, but really only became best friends this year. ((Which was a silly idea because I feel like we could have saved each other a whole lot of DRAMA)) Sophomore year, all the girls in choir had a HUGE crush on him. I mean, this guy was THE item. He wasn't from Lakeridge nor was he from Canyon View, so he was just this mysterious, attractive man that all the girls dreamed of marrying. If Aaron was gone one day and a girl was gone, everyone just assumed that the pair had eloped and all hope of marrying him was lost. I'll never forget the day when Amy Dymock got his number in History class. We were SO jealous! ((Being a sophomore is precious, isn't it?))

Little to Aaron's knowledge, I actually stalked him pretty hard core. My sister used to be in his ward and it was always this huge joke that Aaron was my secret boyfriend. 

Junior year happened. I was wrapped up in trying to get a boyfriend and I sort of forgot all other humans. Including this Aaron Nelson kid. UNTIL the end of the year hit and Mr. Keyes was selecting Student Directors for the next year. I had already decided that I was not even going to apply for Student Director because it would have required me to miss Shakespeare Competition and I was not going to miss that for anything. Thus we see, Haley and Aaron were chosen. It came to pass that they wanted me to serve as A Cappella President and we flourished for the space of three months under those positions. We partied, became good friends, had lots of laughs, etc. 

However, THE DAY OF our choir council retreat, I texted sweet, sweet Aaron to ask him why he was not at the school yet as we had to leave for Timp Caves very soon. Aaron informed me that he had changed his mind about being a Student Director and needed to talk to Mr. Keyes. ((That wasn't the exact conversation, but you get the skinny.)) I was ruffled. One because I was super ticked and two because I knew that Mr. Keyes would ask me to fill in. Which made me a little bit more angry. Long story short, I filled in as Student Director and the world came tumbling down. ((Next time someone gives me a position of authority....don't.))

Aaron was still in choir, however, and was the funniest person I have ever met. Every day I thought, "Man. Why in the world have I never talked to this kid??" As choir progressed and people got sassy, I got a little more insane than usual. One particular day I came out of leading a sectional and I was SO angry. I started to vent to Aaron and he said, "Oh my!! I know exactly how you feel! She is SO annoying!! We need to discuss this over ice cream...." And thus we see, a fond friendship was born. 

As we got to know each other, it's ridiculous how many times we said, "Why have I not been friends with you until now??" Ice cream was a frequent occurrence ((1-2 times a week..)), venting sessions in the van, ice cream, and really just more ice cream. Chamber Tour happened...and we were each others only friends. YOLO? I took him to the Sadie Hawkins dance.

I mean look at us...

Then we saw Les Mis together...and cried. So that was cool. 

We built snow men...

Went ice skating on a lake..

We went to grocery shopping...sort of..

Tried to make new friends..

Made grumpy cat shirts...

Went to Prom together....SO CLASSY

And were pretty much hot babes all the time.

Aaron and I are basically the same person...it's kind of ridiculous. Sometimes we fight ((or I just get mad at him)) and sometimes we are too angry at life to actually talk to each other. But, at the end of the day, we're always best friends again. We always call each other while we're driving ((a habit I really should break)) and frequently have contests for who can make the ugliest face. Aaron understands people. He knows when I'm mad at it him, and always makes amends. He knows that I don't do well at night, so if I start to blow up, he just tells me to shut up and go to bed. He hates all the same people I do AND he is the best shopping partner. 

In just 6 weeks, Aaron and I will be splitting ways. I will be moving to Antarctica ((AKA Logan)) and Aaron will be moving to China ((AKA San Francisco)). I sometimes cry a lot when I think about it...but in the end, I know it will all be okay. Because ours is a friendship that will last forever.

We're just two friends. Two good friends. Two BEST friends.

Recovering

1. Make your bed

2. Read your scriptures 

3. Write a letter to a missionary.

Let me tell you, it made such a difference to start my day off right:)

#itsbeenaroughweek

Life is a cycle. After every good comes a bad and after every bad comes a good.
Last week was crazy busy with weddings and work and family.
This week was hard.
Family was in and out, I've been working, and I've been a little extra hormonal. If you know what I mean.

Yesterday I came home from work and got into my pajamas. I was so exhausted and the house was quiet. It would have been a perfect opportunity for me to clean the house or apply for another job...but instead I read. And I read. And I stared out the window. And I got on facebook. And I cried. And I even resorted to Pinterest. I was rude to a boy. I flipped out at another boy. And all I wanted was a coke with lime. ((Yeah. I crave that. Don't judge.)) Then I cried some more and felt really sorry for myself.

This morning, I woke up. And I stayed in my pajamas. I finally got the guts to apply for another job. And then I showered. And I went to work.

The Air Conditioning was out again today. Surprise? I think not. Second time it's happened this week. With me as a happy, cramping, bloated, clam.

But tonight was good. And tomorrow will be too. Because life is good.

But if you wanted to bring me a coke with lime....I wouldn't be offended ;)

Is it really that hard??

When I was an insecure little Jr. High child, I had a huge problem with my smile. I had braces, chubby cheeks, squinty eyes, and a whole lot of self esteem issues.
My smiles often looked like this:

Or I gave up on closed mouth smiling and settled for goofy. That resulted in looking like this:

But then one day I thought, "Does that really show people who I am? When I look at that picture in 20 years, will I want to remember my insecurities or do I want to remember how I felt in that moment?" And thus my smiling began. 

I've been really frustrated lately as I scroll through pictures on Facebook or Instagram and see girls ((and boys)) who constantly post model shots. ((I have to admit I am guilty of posting a few of those myself.)) But tell me, what is so wrong with a smile??? God gave us teeth. God gave us a spirit and truth and light. SHOW IT!! Stop flaunting your looks and flaunt your beauty.

I am completely okay with pictures of yourself, just make sure you're showcasing the right thing. 

SO! As I jump off of my smiling soap box, I want to issue you a challenge. 

1) Next time you post that "Selfie Sunday" show that social media that you know how to SMILE!!

2) Encourage others to show of their smiles. Next time you are in public, notice the people you are walking past. Make eye contact with the ones who look especially grumpy and flash them the biggest smile that you can!! ((I tried this yesterday. It's kind of amazing.))

Try these things and you might be amazed by the results. Seriously, it makes a huge difference. 

Thanks for reading!! And thank you those who started following me! I think I gained a total of two followers ;) 

Love you all!!

Utah State

The last adventure of my week was heading up to Utah State for "SOAR".
I was supposed to head up on Thursday -- the day after I had returned from St. George. I was so overwhelmed on Wednesday night. My dad was supposed to take me, but things fell through and he wasn't able to. Luckily I have a very nice best friend who offered to take me. But I still didn't want to go. At all. Said best friend convinced me to go and Thursday morning at 5:45 we were off to Logan.

The was long and hard and crazy. I had been waiting for college for so long, but didn't understand how I could have gone from a care-free high school student to college bound overnight.
That day I had to take a math test, was shown around by overly excited student body officers, had a bunch of orientation, and finally met with my adviser and registered for classes. Boy was it a scary time.

Finally, the day ended. Though I was exhausted, I felt great peace. From the moment I walked onto campus to the moment I left, I knew everything was right and good. As we were driving up, I felt so much fear and doubt. I was second guessing my judgement left and right. I didn't want to be a grown up anymore. I wanted to runaway, never go to school, and start the first Mormon convent. But I thankfully got a reminder that what I was doing WAS right. I love this quote from Elder Holland.

Don't doubt yourself. I made the decision to go to Utah State months ago. And I prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it. And it is still right now. 

The church is true my friends. Don't you forget it! 

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below. 

And if you read my blog but aren't an official follower, please follow me!

Saint Jorge

Sunday afternoon, a group of my girl friends and I headed down to St. George for a few days. These girls are so fun, so hilarious, and so kind. I've known all of them for all of high school, but was only good friends with a few of them. However, despite me randomly jumping into their friend group towards the end of the year, they welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like a part of their crowd.
The best part of the week was that there was no drama! I'm still not quite sure how we managed to do that with 16 girls in one condo...but it happened. That just proves to you how FANTASTIC these girls are!!

We went down on Sunday afternoon once we arrived, a few of us decided to swim. The pool was a little warm and was a little more green than blue. But our hot, travel worn bodies didn't mind. We even composed a little synchronized swimming routine!

Monday morning we woke up early to head to Zion's National Park for a day full of hiking. Unfortunately, our group of 16 girls didn't make it past the parking lot before getting separated. We spent some time looking for each other, but with little service and no direct meeting point, it was pretty much useless. ((side note: yes. I live in a technology age. Take our cell phones away and communication is nearly impossible. How did you people do it??)) Fortunately, we are all old enough and mature enough that we went hiking on our own and figured if anything we knew how to get home.

We ended up meeting each other at the end ((it was a miracle)) and snagged this beautiful picture. Aren't we a smart bunch?

That night we had some pizza and played games/chilled. We were hoping to swim, but the pool was closed. If you'll remember, Sunday night it was less than welcoming. They had put some chemicals in and it wasn't "swim ready". 

Tuesday we went to the St. George Temple to do Baptisms for the Dead. One of our friends, Lulu, is a foreign exchange student from China. Since she isn't a member of the church, some girls stayed with her and took her around the Visitor's Center. I was able to go do baptisms and I think the consensus is that it was a wonderful experience for all. ((Other side note: Having a glass shower in the locker room is not the wisest of ideas. It kind of defeats the point.))

After baptisms, we rushed home so we could go swimming. Unfortunately, the pool was STILL closed. I guess the chemicals could not reverse the putrid green color of the pool so they had to drain it. ((Thank heavens I'm still alive)) So instead we all took turns taking cold showers and playing games. 

Tuesday was also Eva's birthday! To celebrate, we went to Olive Garden for dinner. I saw this super hot waiter...his name was Tucker....I got a picture of him..then a picture with him...and eventually left him my number. ((sometimes I'm just a little #desperate)) 

I was REALLY excited about it.

I have to admit, it was pretty fun though. Though this situation could have ended badly ((for example, stalking)) I figured "If not now, when? I am in the prime of my life!!" So I did. And it was fun. And I'll probably never do it again. YOLO.

Wednesday, we had to pack up and leave earlier than we expected. So we pawned of ridiculously large amounts of food on people, hopped into cars and left. I think it was one of the few vacations when I wasn't ready to leave. When I got home, reality hit me hard and I sobbed for a good hour. But that story will come in a different post. 

For now, thanks for reading my post and if you frequently read my blog but aren't yet a follower, please do so! Just a few clicks is all it takes. 

Thank you muchly!

Graduation.

This past week has been CRAZY! From graduation to the "singles ward" to a senior trip to college registration....life is happening and it is happening FAST!

Graduation day was probably the best day of my life. Graduation is sort of that one thing you look forward to your whole life. I was thinking that I'd be pretty disappointed with how it turned out, but it exceeded my expectations. The ceremony was great and walking through the "O" was extremely satisfactory.

That morning, feeling quite smug in my cap and gown.

And of course, I had to sneak a "Miranda" picture in ;)

These beautiful people who got me through it all

Satisfaction? Check!

My last performance with my choir. It's crazy how something that I was so involved with during my high school career is just over. And yet, I am completely okay with that. It was a good part of my life, but it is time to move on.

I love these girls more than anything!

 And my sisters and my best friends. 

 We're pretty goofy.

One of my sweet YW leaders MADE this beautiful flower head piece. It pretty much made my day.

My YW President who kept me alive this year. LOVE HER. 

So proud of my best friend who was able to graduate. Even if it required several late nights and some tears, he pulled it off. It was worth it!

And...then we switched robes...

Proudly showing off our "State Superior" medals.

One of my sisters who wasn't albe to attend the ceremony left this on my porch. ((thanks Julie!!))

This post is plenty long already so I'll pause here for now. That night my family had a BBQ for me and they each shared some wise graduation advice. High school was great and I'm so glad that it happened, but I am so excited to move on to bigger and better things. Life has more in store for me than this and I cannot wait to see what that is!

Stay tuned for the rest of my crazy week. ((I may possibly be posting the rest today so...be prepared and don't judge me.))

LOVES!