Shaking with Anticipation of NaNoWriMo 2011

Quite possibly some, and more accurately most, of you may have no idea what NaNoWriMo stands for. Which means you aren't as nerdy as some of us who shall remain nameless (me), so congratulations! However, if you did perk up in your seat with looming anticipation at the mere mention of NaNoWriMo, then we should be friends, since I am desperate need of writing buddies for next month. I guess the time has come to reveal the true meaning of NaNoWriMo...National Novel Writing Month! The month in question being November, and frankly, I am slightly scared of November the more I think of it (excluding Thanksgiving), but who wouldn't be. Trying to write at least 50,000 words in 31 days on top of school, work, and a social life(?), is not an easy task to take on. Oh, and did I mention the writing has to be completely fresh new content? EEEEEK! Fortunately, NaNoWriMo has no rules against brainstorming/mapping/profiling or anything else I might want to do in preparation of the great writing journey, so you can bet that is what I spent my Saturday doing (nerd, remember). 

Well, check in to see how I am doing, and do feel free to offer any words of encouragement. Actually, I encourage you to do so. If everyone is super nice and very lucky I will probably post a snippet of two throughout the month so keep you eyes peeled. Plus, since you know how much I love music, you can almost be sure I will be provide a playlist or two (or three, or more) with songs that are reflecting the vibe of my novel. In short: Stay tuned folks!

Oh, and before I forget....check out the NaNoWriMo site to learn more about it

Marriage is What Brings Us Together...Last Saturday

One of my best friends, Daniel, is got married last Saturday, and I couldn't have been happier for him. In the past year quite of few of my best friend group have entered into eternal marriage, but my reaction to each of announcement of "big news" has varied. That is not to say any of my reactions were of the negative sort, quite the contrary...I was ecstatic every time. But still each one just felt different, because my relationship with each of my boys is very different (none of which are romantic). So it only seems right to not maintain one emotion. I may have called me the Ice Queen in high school, yet I can't claim to be a robot. Possibly the second greatest part about the weekend (obviously the wedding is the first) was seeing the group together once more.  For all we know, the occasion was more than likely the last of such reunions. Well if it was or wasn't our last hurrah I love and adore you all!

Orem=Out of This World

Sure Orem has ice cold winters, Walmart weirdies, and the most dreadful drivers I have ever had the misfortune to encounter; but I am slowly beginning to realize this town has more to offer than the blatenly obvious negatives. 

The first great heaven sent positive was my roommates: Rylee, Ashley, and Meagan. Those girls made my transition  from STG to Orem nearly seamless, because even though I met them an hour after I stepped "creeper style" into the apartment for the first time, I feel like I have lived with them forever. I can't began to explain their coolness, or how grateful I am for them to allow me into the group. 

Secondly, it is so nice to have family here in the great "Up North." I have lived by Aunts, Uncles, and even young cousins before, but having cousins my age near by is a comforting thought. In fact the complex I am living in was even recommended by one of my cousins. His advice turned out to be gold, so I think I can trust him now.

Third plus: my job totally rocks! Truthfully, sitting on the phone for 4 hours a day is not ideal, but the people are pretty cool so it makes the time fly by (at least for now). I have a work "best friend" who is really the kid I sit by and pester for all the secrets of the job. I wounder if he is sick of me yet? Oh, and today I got to walk 2 feet down the imaginary runway, scoring a 8.9, which I consider a victory over my former 7 status.

Lastly, I have met the first absolutely adorable boy, on a list of what I'm sure will be many, that for one reason or another I can never have. Man, life is just so unfair. Fortunately, Orem seems to be swarming with all sorts of boys: gorgeous, cute, nice, fun, fit, intriguing, musical, you name it Orem has it. YIPPY!

Ciao Ali Ciao STG

I feel as if I have been bidding a lot of farewells this week, but I am not the only one saying "au revoir St. George" (or rather ciao). One of Harbor and Duran's best friends, Ali, a girl I consider a little sister, is setting out on the brave journey of being a nanny in Italy. I couldn't be more happy for her! Ali is such a great girl, and considering I have known her since she was in the 4th grade I am completely qualified to make such a statement as to her character. She just graduated high school and with my brothers leaving on their missions come September 7th and nearly everyone else off to school, I think she felt like she needed an adventure. Only, she took it one step further and actually did something about it, which sadly is more than I can say for most of us, my self included. I gave her some of my clothes, some big hugs, and lots of advice on how not to look like a tourist. I am so proud of her and I have no doubt she will do great things! Also, Ali is going to be keeping up a blog (or at least intending to) on all the great things she does so please go check it out and show her some support!

To celebrate her European travels, my departure for school, and Harbor & Duran's leave on a 2 year LDS mission, we gathered the neighborhood kids and took one last trip to Denny's. The midnight outing was bitter sweet, but much more on the sweet side of things. There had been lots of hanging out with family, friends, and even people we don't really know, but it was a joy to have the "neighborhood siblings" together for one last time, well for the next couple of years at least. I am going to miss everybody, but I am not going to morn their loss just because we are separating. Believe me, there will be plenty of communication thanks to good old modern day technology!

Ciao!

Ali modeling her new clothes

My brother Duran

Duran and Harbor. Can you tell their twins?

Ali and Priscilla.  What good friends they are

My (tallest) littlest brother Ryker with Spencer (aka Fiddy Spence)

Kami, Ali, and I.  The neighborhood girls.

Fiddy Spence striking a pose.

Ryker.  Would you believe he is 6 foot 2?

Denny's food...yummy

(Window) Shopping in Vegas

This last Tuesday I took a short 2 hour road trip to Vegas with the purpose of accompanying my (fake) little sister as she does some birthday and school shopping.  As word of the trip spread the number of participants rapidly evolved to include: my mother, my little brother, my (fake) little brother/little brother of my little sister, and two of their friends.  Road tripping with soon to be high school sophomores and juniors was super entertaining.  At that age they are old enough to be independent, but too young to have really become streetwise. There is an innocently awkward in between stage, made even more prominent due to the fact that we come from a small "city".  However, if it were not for their blissful stage in life we probably would have felt foolish cruising in the escalade down Las Vegas Blvd with the windows unrolled while singing and dancing to Sister Wife by Alex Winston.  Instead, we thought we were the coolest thing to ever grace the Blvd.  It was a real shop till you drop trip; The girls made off with multiple bags full of clothing and accessories, I even "splurged" to buy 3 items: a VS bra, H&M tights and knee high socks.  All in all I am pleased to say it was an absolute blast, and the break I needed from all my moving preparations.