Sometimes I have good ideas, sometimes I don't.

dear holly,
i think it's funny when you say things like "i was laughing so hard {at you} and i drooled.


dear ali,
that was stupid. please don't try to do an ed repeat. you shouldn't have left.


dear nissan,
will you pretty please wash and vacuum my car again? i like that she feels new after she visits you.


dear mom,
you are funny. that's something I love about you.


dear cute boy in my ward,
you are effective when we laugh and talk and have a good time. you could be even more effective if you would ask for my phone number.


dear self,
let's not do that again, okay?


dear tension headache,
it's been two days already. please go away.


dear business world,
are you where i belong?

LOVE, Amy

Since it's Sunday...

I've decided to share one of my favorite little paintings. It's something I love (although if you're sensitive to nudity you may want to avert your eyes-it was during the renaissance after all) because I can really feel the emotions and it's something that I've had hanging in my bedroom for a while now-I always keep it in there as a reminder for me of the joy of being in the presence of Heavenly Father and the misery of being away from Him.

This is a small section of the Brancacci Chapel in a small church in Florence. The painter is Masaccio, one of the first great painters of the early-high renaissance (the quatrocento) and he was one of the first to really bring emotion into the paintings, which I LOVE! Anyways, I love this painting because I can relate to them, even though I don't remember being with Heavenly Father, I can imagine the joy that I will feel upon being reunited with Him. Anyways. I love it. It's one of the few that I still hang in my room so I can ponder it.

Have you seen this?

Wow. This is a beautiful exhibit! Have you had the chance to see it? My roomie Holly just showed me this slideshow, and I would gladly accept a gift of any of his prints (but especially angels, joy, or resurrection). I love when people find their own way to share their testimony and love for the Savior. Thanks to you Mark Mabry.

something new:

You all (okay, the three of you that look at this, let's be honest) deserve to benefit from my fine college eduation. I have then, decided to share with you once a week or so a favorite art work of mine. And on perusing Sarah's photos I came across this one from a beautiful church in Vienna. (not St. Charles' church- but one seriously nearby...I think there was a park, and a church, and a street...)

Which happened to remind me of a common painting theme among northern renaissane paintings of painting the Madonna in the nave of a cathedral (okay what I love most about the renaissance is how the paintings were just CHALK FULL of symbolism). But without further ado, I give you one that I like: Jan van Eyck, Madonna in a Church 1425This is atually not the exact one I wanted. I swear there is one that has the Madonna cast in the light from a stained glass window. But this will do just fine. Don't you just love those little pools of light behind her?

Frought with symboolism, love it.

The obvious reason is because of the season:

Spring, spring, SPRING.

I am so very excited for Spring. Winter is hard. It's cold. It's wet (sometimes). It's dark. It's long. Too much time is spent indoors. I know it's early. I know it's much too early to be getting excited about spring-about 2 months too early.






But I am. I can't help it! I love spring SO much- the sun shines, the grass turns green again, little waterfalls and streams babble happily, people have picnics and play frisbee and croquet, little green leaves bud on the trees and sneak up through the thawing ground, the breeze turns warm. So many wonderful things happen in the spring.

Photos by me, of Paris in the spring!

Petticoat Brigade

I've decided I need to take some Mission Prep sunday school classes. I often get opportunities through work to share the gospel in small ways-usually when people ask why I'm not drinking or why I'm (gasp!) still a virgin... However, I usually do horribly, I feel. I think I get the point across, but I think I could do it a much better way. The last conversation I had about the word of wisdom ended with one of the people saying..."so, your prophet is a doctor too?" ummm...uh-oh. How do you explain it without getting into prophets, modern day revelation, Joseph Smith and all the things to give the backstory? I only had a few minutes.

However, at least they now have a better understanding of mormons than what they get watching "Big Love..." At least living my life is a little bit of missionary opportunity-right?

aaaah.

Breathe a breath of fresh air. All bad things come to an end. The sun shines. Things were touch and go there for a while, in lots of ways. But you know. The sun always comes back out. I am grateful to Liesl (her link is on the right!) beause on Sunday she reminded me that the moment you're in always feels liks you'll be in it forever, and that you've been in it forever, and that it's sometimes strange to think that it will change because it reminded me that it isn't that way. Thanks Liesl! But in other news- I spent the past two and a half days in meetings sitting down=icky! I learned TONS! And I am really excited for the upoming months at work...there's cool stuff coming your way!

We did a visual lab on Sunday at a store, and I was reminded how much I LOVE merchandising. So maybe that's a good plan for my future. limited brands does a really great merchant in training program, so maybe I'll consider that. I have two weeks before the application is due.

Then yesterday we had a meeting from 8 am (boo!) to 5:30 (boo!) with a working lunch (boo! that means more sitting down!) but then we went to the Jazz game, and even though I wasn't that excited because I don't love basketball it was SO FUN! we won, which is always nice, but I also got to really bond with our district team, so that was awesome. And then I got to go to sleep and that was awesome too! I had to do a two hour presentation yesterday to present my new role, and instead of being given two hours I had to do it in about 40 minutes (eek!) but it was great.

Then today, more visuals and meetings. Tomorrow-regular work.

and-did you know that people rollerskate like ice skating? I mean in couples dancing, and sparkly outfits and everything. It's true. I saw them on America's Funniest videos tonight.

oh! and! I am so excited that even after days of sitting and eating junk in my meetings I was still so excited (well, that's probably why) to go on a nice long run. It was so great to get out and just run until I was so tired- you know. That's a good feeling. okay, that's all. Until I come up with more.


Maybe soon. Maybe later. I'll keep you in suspense.
oh, and can you tell that I have recently learned how to change the color, size, font and justification on text in my blog. cool, huh?

The Daily Ten Again...beause sometimes, when the rain is pouring you have to look for the sunshine and little rainbows- you know?*

1. Go JAZZ! Going to the game with the SM team was so FUN!
2. There is such a thing as constructive feedback, and I loved, loved, loved getting it and knowing what I can do to be a more effective leader.
3. That people around me know I don't drink, tell others, and refuse it for me when it's offered. That's cool.
4. Family outside of your family.
5. But even more-my regular family. We have it good, don't we you guys? I love you.
6. A calming influence inside a friend.
7. Okay, this might be weird, but sometimes random creepy people hitting on you is flattering. So thanks, random creepy guy.
8. sleep.
9. This photographer- look how cool she is! I really want to try that-when it's a little warmer outside.
10. Peace from the savior and breaths of fresh air. Isn't it wonderful?

*Okay 11. (Again, sorry!) but notice the "c" missing from the word because? Well, I am grateful that my "c" key doesn't work very well, because it makes me smile when it makes little mistakes in my spelling.

The Daily Ten

Today I want to do what lots of people do. A daily 10 of the things I'm most grateful for today.

1. Ang. Over and over Ang. She could probably be 1-10. I am grateful for her. No one knows me like she does.
2. Going to see a really horrible movie with Tyler-they both made me laugh a lot.
3. The nice things that Don said (he called me capable! and said he respected me and appreciated me-my boss!)
4.This customer that told me to have a wonderful day before I could tell him-he was so happy, it rubbed off a little.
5. A bite of good asparagus that reminded me how much I love vegetables.
6. Seeing my little assistant managers become capable and motivating leaders.
7. Standing my ground, even though it would be much easier to just give in.
8. Cute headbands-they make a world of difference between a ponytail and a done hairdo.
9. Making my bed-it instantly pulls me together and calms me down-and it looks so nice
10. People who love me, and tell me, beause one can never hear it too many times.

and actually...


















11. The prospects of a new day. "Tomorrow is always fresh-with no mistakes in it."

Sunset over the Grand Canyon. Photo by me: you can tell beause I have the horizon line problem like Sarah.

Thank you for bein' a friend...

(name that really cool show about four old lady friends...awesome).


Premier Chagrin, 1892
Daniel Ridgway Knight
BYU Museum of Art

aka one of my favorite paintings EVER and definitely one of my favorites in the BYU collection. (Did you know they have over 17,000 works in their collection?)



You know those days (girls) when you really just need a girlfriend who can relate and commiserate and really make you feel validated? Tonight I had one of those, and I am grateful for that girlfriend in my life tonight.



But you know one of the things that she did for me that was most significant? Call me shallow or vain or whatever, but she told me she thought I was pretty. I know, I know... but, to be honest-it was so nice. Sometimes a girl needs to hear it. It was something I needed (that pesky self-esteem!). It meant the world to me. Thank you!


Oh, and she helped me make a really scary decision. So that deserves some definite thank you waves in her general direction. Ask me if I'm so grateful next week, but we'll see...











Oh, and just in case you didn't get the answer from my subtle hints, it was Golden Girls. I loved that show when I was younger. Weird, definitely. But I always wanted to be a nice mix of all of them. But probably a little more Blanche than Dorothy for sure. Just look at them! Blanche was so much more fun-look how scary Dorothy can be.

Okay...thanks for listening, world.

Something from a long time ago...

...when we went on this lots of wards activity that was semi-fun...meaning, it was fun because of the people I already knew, not because of anyone new that I met, which I think is supposed to be the whole point of these multi-stake singles ward activities. (cool story Hansel). Oh well. I did try to make new friends, but here are the photos from it:



Note Celeste's awkward hanging position, Susannah's hand and guilty expression-yup. You know what just went on there...moving on...

...to the photo I love so much I'm going to make it my new profile picture I think. I like it. Because I look like I'm five, doing what I loved to do when I was five, and guess what? what I still love to do. Swinging and sliding-two of my FAVORITE things. (by the way, how cool is it that this house we went to had this fun playground inside?

welcome to the fun house! Please meet Felicia, Carol and Jim. It was nice to meet you. Since we weren't meeting many new people, we decided to reinvent ourselves and get reacquainted. I think in another life my name could be Felicia-don't you? (really, Amy, Caitlin my cool old visiting teacher who is good at math-lucky her- and Andy the firefighter. I once had a crush on him-sigh* but I moved on.)

Hey! here is another one of my roommates! That's Denise on the left, Marcie in the middle and on the right is my dear Susannah-we've been friends longer than I've been friendly with anyone else. And that's pretty good, because she knows what I wrote about her in my journal, and we had some rough patches-but in the end, we just accept each other for who we are, and that's a good freindship I think, even if we're not super super super close. I'm there for her, she's there for me. DONE. love her. (oh, except for here, she's actually Shaniqua-and isn't she beautiful?) okay, enough, I digress...

Here is your typical singles ward group shot-notice all the beautiful girls and the two lucky gents. That's Aaron in the front-don't you think he could be a Spanish Movie star?

it won't be long until we'll all be there with sno---ow. I want to wash my face, my hands my hair with snow...

(cue jingle bell noises...) When the snow was falling the other night, I decided that everything looked lovely and lacie and wonderful. So I decided to go for a nice little walk and take some pictures...and then my walk turned into a run. It was funny I was wearing my coat, my boots, my beanie and I was running through the park...weird. But without further ado, here are some of the pictures I took.


with the flash


and these two are without.



After this, all I wanted to do was go sledding, so even though it was late, I did actually manage to find some friends to drag sledding. I wish I'd taken some pictures, but I didn't. It was fun, though! Now I just need to make a snowman to make my winter complete. Oh yeah, and fall in love-because that seems like a wonderful wintertime thing to do...

CONFESSION

So, the other day I was with a group and we were talking about "guilty pleasures." I have quite a few... Someone was saying that their guilty pleasures are things they don't love to own up to, but to be fair- mine are just things I shouldn't really waste time doing, but I do. Things I love to enjoy, even though I should probably be doing other things.

1. I'm gonna throw it into the universe-I like Star Trek: the Next Generation. LOVE IT!!!! I love Captain Picard and his sexy voice. I love Counselor Troy and her cool abilities. Commander Riker is pretty attractive too. I love Data. I love it. I just do.




2. Ummm, I love me some Britney Spears. that's all.

3. I really love to eat grilled cheese sandwiches.

4. I like to shop online, and create shopping carts and shopping carts FULL of exciting, beautiful expensive things, and then just close the browser. It's heartbeaking, but so satisying.

5. Okay, I also love to think of all the mean things I would say to someone who upsets me, or is rude or who hurt my feelings, and ALL the hurtful things I could say to them, and then think " but I won't." or write them down, and throw them away. It's so satisfying.

6. Schmurfing. It's my favorite.

Update: 3 am

I HATE YOU. Please stop being a part of my awake time, and further, please tell 4 o' clock and 5 o' clock that if they want to be a part of my awake time they had better stand on their own, and not come after you. I don't want to be awake for 3 hours in the middle of the night (or as the case may be, 3 hours early) sincerely, me.

Hope Springs Anew...

These are the possible career options I have pondered today:

-fashion merchandising
-event planning
-MBA event organization
-hospitality management
-international business
-MBA-marketing
-just plain old MBA
-continuing in retail
-historical preservation
-being a copycat and doing what Meagan is doing-historical research
-giving up and being a bum FOREVER
-crawling into a whole and dying

I thought I was WAY too late to apply for business school and Graduate school this year, and I might be for some programs, or too late if my test scores aren't good enough the first go-round. But you know what I learned? a lot of schools have rolling admissions for their programs


Today I am grateful for lots of things, but in particular for hope and optimism. because I was having a hard day, and it's easy to think: I'm too old to do that (I know, I know, I'm not old...), or I'm too late, or I wish I'd really been on top of that...But, you know what? There are SO many options. I'm not too late until I say I'm too late and stop trying.

I hated Mrs. Friel in fifth grade, oh how I hated her! But I do remember this thing that she made us say five bazillion times each and every day before we could do anything productive:

I'm not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed; and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I fail, and keep trying.

So, you know what? I'm going to try. Why not? what's holding me back? if I want to try it, I'm going to. I'm not going to be afraid of challenges, or scary intimidating cooler people, or smarter people, or more prepared people. I am going to own it, because that is what makes me successful.

One More Thing...

If you were ever to win a golden globe, or an oscar or something- wouldn't you really hope that you were NOT having a fashion don't day? I would really hope that I looked beautiful- and not wearing an ugly dress. That's all.

We all know

that I love headbands. While I'm waiting for my ipod to charge so i can run, I am doing some shopping (which is what I do best).



I think this one is nice:



Oh, is it too much? You could pull it off if you wanted to though.

And maybe I want to...wouldn't that be fun to sport-maybe to a boxing fight? fun huh? Yep, that's how I roll.

Dear 3 o' clock in the morning,

It has been seriously SO NICE, to get to know you so well over the past few weeks. I love waking up to your mysterious darkness every night. I hope we can continue this wonderful little charade. Also, I would love if you would speak to 7 am and see if you could arrange a switch? It is nice to see you, but I would rather see 7 am with the grace and alerrtness with which I meet you and you meet me, and sleep soundly through your time of day. Sorry, if the truth hurts.


Love, AMY.

I am really putting something off today...could be cleaning my room, I guess.

you know what I hate about takng pictures of snowy things in the winter? They always look ugly, no matter what. These were really beautiful views in real life, but they kind of make ugle photos. Well, oh well. Now, you know what I know.

Oh MY GOSH!

Yogurt is good!


Okay well, yoplait light fat free very vanilla (in case you also want to experrience it) is really yummy. It tastes like dessert. Which is good, because yesterday I ate 3 servings of cinnamon roll after institute (at least they were cut in half, so it was really 1.5 cinnamon rolls), even though I'm pretty sure everyone else had 1. They were so good, and I was so hungry yesterday! I felt like nothing could fill the void that was my stomach! But, in the end I was able to fill myself up (but it took a lot of work, and I'm not kidding). However, running today was not so much fun after all that, so it's good that I am finally starting to like yogurt. peach is good too.


Ooh. I bet with a graham cracker it would REAALLLLY taste like a yummy dessert. WONDERFUL.

They go together-Eggs and Spam-it's like...CHRISTMAS!

Tonight I went on a girl date with my roommate Holly! Here she is: with her old blonde hair, and her new sexy brunette hair (welcome to the cool club, Holly). Okay, no she isn't because I can't figure out how to put pictures on with the new editor that I chose to use...

Anyways, we went to ULTA, and I got a great lip stain color and some new shampoo...(it smells so good!) and then we went to express where I got a really sassy dress that I look GOOD in. It was SO MUCH FUN! Sometimes, you just need that time with your girlfreinds, you know? We bonded. I am grateful for her. I'm so excited. I am also happy because I can see the difference that running has made. It's not like I have an extremely differnt figure, it's really the same, but it looks better. And, I feel a lot better. I'm excited to keep going, and keep seeing a difference. It's a little everyday.


In other news, today I also went snowshoeing with my friend Tyler. Last week I was able to go with my friend Jason. (I would typically insert some lovely winter landscape photos here, but as mentioned new editor=no photos). I love to go snowshoeing. It's fun, and it's a nice alternative to running sometimes. We just wandered through the "back country" of Provo canyon for a good few hours, and I got a good workout-He has longer legs and a faster pace than I do, so I had to keep up...although I didn't all the time. We also just sat in the snow for a minute. It was really nice to sit and just enjoy. But then it got cold. It was fun.

ALSO, today I made a pot roast. Holy cow, I can cook! I'm so proud of myself...it took quite a few phonecalls to mom to get all the things and all the directions I needed to get it going, but it is good. It just falls to pieces. You have to start somewhere I guess.

That was my day today...I slept in too, that was nice. I am happy.
Oh, and this was a contributing factor to my joy level in the last hour. Thank you Awkward Family Photos. FUNNY.

Okay, humor me...or don't and skip this one.

Feb 13, 1994
I haven't written since yesterday! Sorry about that! {why was I sorry?} Is that okay? I hope so. Today was my cousin Jeremy's farewell. Aunt Denise cried until no more tears could be shed. That's usual, isn't it? That's what I thought. well, get this! tomorrow is my birthday-I'm going to be 10. The big ONE-OH. Double digits.

Feb 15th, 1994
Just one day of being 10 isn't fun. I got a math assignment today. well, I guess you usually get them in math class. Guess what? America has two golds in the olympics. I'm glad I'm american. I think that is so cool.

April 18, 1994
Today we went to the airport and saw Jeremy leave on his mission. he left on plane #733. I HAVE to remember that to see if he comes back on the same one. I don't know why we went to the airport though, it seemed like a lot of driving for no real reason. Have I already told you that I am now 10? I feel very grown up, but my mom still tells me what to do. I wonder how much longer she'll do that.


OCt. 15th 1994
I'm going to write the time first. it's 11:19 pm. The same time it was when I wrote yesterday! I don't have much time, I'll just write about today. I was bored almost all day. at 11:00 I went to Bri's (Brianna's) at 1:00 we came over here and made cookies (sugar, in case you were wondering) we're going to make more on monday and frost them. We watched Jurassic Park or Purassic Jerk as my dad likes to call it. Now it's 11:24 bye.

Oct. 16/1994 {by the way, I love my consistency with my date format!}
I hate life. I hate wars. I hate enemies. I hate fish. I hate when you have to put away the ice cream even though your sister used it last. but most of all I hate laundry. I'm serious. Did you know that I had to do my own laundry when I turned 8? oh well. Life isn't all balloons. countdown until christmas: 2 months, 9 days.


Sunday August 20th.
yesterday was fun.
1st we went to the Hill Air Force Base and saw part of the air show-they were really cool.

2nd we went to a family reunion on Antelope Island that wasn't really worth it.

3rd we went back to HAFB and saw the thunderbird show
4th we went to Denise and Dave's house and had hamburgers and corn on the cob. I love corn on the cob. nd hamburgers. it tasted great. catch ya later.

December 28th
do you like my new perfume? (smell the page) {it doesn't smell anymore...}

I crack myself up, because really, I haven't changed all that much. And I kind of like that.

I thought about it, and nearly did, but didn't...

...get up and bake in the middle of the night last night. Although, it was nearly 6 before I fell asleep again. Now I'm quite exhausted. HOWEVER...
Our ward (I'm not sure if all wards are doing this or what) is doing this new 7 week family history Sunday school class, and I'm really excited to be able to go. I've been thinking a lot lately about my respnsibility to do family history research and get names ready to take to the temple. A few weeks ago we had a lesson in Sunday school and I had this epiphany...I can just imagine a large family council in heaven, when some of our family members VOLUNTEERED to live during a time of darkness without the gospel, and give me the opportunity to live now if I would do their work for them. Since then, I have really been trying to learn and do my part. Tomorrow I am teaching a little lesson about getting to know our families and our own personal story using some stories of Great Grandma Boyes.

Even though I never knew her, she has had a BIG impact on my life.
I don't know how many people (since most of you are related to me and may anyways) know how much I love to keep a journal. I love it. I put everything from movie tickets, photos and reciepts to my deepest thoughts, wildest hopes and biggest fears in them. I got my inspiration from GG Boyes...I loved reading tidbits of her journals and getting a glimpse into her everyday life, and also the glimpse she showed me of my mom and her sisters growing up: "Renee went to town with me this morning to get Roxanne a birthday present..." a few days later: "Renee here to spend the day, Mike came down to get his haircut..."

Except, I always felt like many of her writings were kind of like a news report-missing the real meat-the human story. So, taking the inspiration from her and adding my own flair for the dramatic, I've come up with this, my collection of journals:


I like to doodle, and this one is a dream I had whereI fell in love and got engaged, and then my wonderful lover tells me he used to be a woman! Where did that come from? Freud would have a FIELD day with that, I'm sure...


I think I did this while I was on a conference call from home...it was obviously very exciting business information that it was necessary I hear first hand...


Fabric scraps from the first apron i made, and what it looks like, and my hopes and dreams of making and selling cute aprons, and then realizing I am not good at sewing.



my journals all lined up. The white one is my first, and then the rest are I guess about the last 5 years or so.


Because I write such sassy and irreverent things in my journals that seem to amuse people who are lucky enough to read or be read to from them, Angie and Krista wanted to inherit one. This one is notarized (not really) to go to Krista, then Angie, then be returned to my family after my death. It's official-that's my fingerprint.


Like I said, I like to doodle. And that's the inspiration for a painting I'm working on also. Oh! and those are the notes from the Sunday school class where I had the inspiration... I love putting my notes on spiritual things in my journals too, it helps me to keep them top of mind.

I always cover the front an back inside covers with quotes or special memories, and usually a threat to probing eyes. one even says "reader, beware..." really great invitation to my progeny...

Each one is different, and very unique. Buying a journal is special. It has to speak to make me excited to write in it, and be just the right size for me to take anywhere, so that when the mood strikes I'm ready to write. I really don't hide anything. Ask Emily...or my friend Susannah. I've shown them both some not very nice things I wrote about them in there when I was younger. But I love them both, and I was a snotty child-I think I've mostly grown out of it.
One of my favorite things I ever did was show my hope that someday, someone would want to read them, because I left fill in the blanks for them to respond. like this from my VERY FIRST journal (my mom gave it to me, and I used it from when I was about 8 until I was 18) November 26, 1994 "guess what!? __________(please fill in the blank) My mom is in the hospital again. She went in one year and one day from when she got out last year. what do you think of that ________________?" Sorry that's kind of a depressing example. It's the only one I could find right then.


Given the chance I will praise the benefits of keeping a journal to anyone who will listen. I love to go back and read about the things I thought/did. The way I felt and get ideas or insight to current situations. It's so therapeutic also. I can write it down, and move on (most of the time). The other thing I love about my journals is that I write inspiring quotes in them randomly when I buy them, and then happen across them as I write...I love it because it always seems to be just what I need that day as I write to give me a little pick me up or spur a new thought in a new direction.

I didn't mean for this to be so long, all I really wanted to say was 1. thank you GG Boyes for writing so diligently in your journals (and to the family for letting me help type them and get inspired by her) and 2. Thank you Sunday school for that food-for-thought/motion starting discussion. I'm excited to do my part.

What time is it? SUMMER TIME!

...Or it might be roughly 4 in the morning. I may have woken up an hour and a half ago, after a VERY refreshing hour and a half of sleep...4.5 hours before my alarm was to go off...I tried rolling over, I tried counting sheep, I tried imagining nothing but solid navy blue surroundings (That usually does the trick), I tried reading, I tried reading NUMBERS THE MOST BORING BOOK IN THE BIBLE and I am still wide awake, so I am trying to pretend like I don't want to sleep, because that's usually when I fall asleep fastest. Was that the longest sentence in the world? It felt like it. Except you know who writes the longest sentences in the world? Virginia Woolf. Just saying. And this sentence is pretty long, too. If you're really in a hurry, just skip to 15 seconds...you can stop listenting after he finishes talking...

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disneyland proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electrosynthemagnetic musical sounds-the Mainstreet Electrical Parade...

(in case you missed what he was saying-deosn't it just go on and on and on? I LOVE IT!!! nice use of adjectives...

If I don't fall asleep again soon, I'm going to get up and make some cupcakes. This is ridiculous.

So, if I post pictures of some ugly cupcakes tomorrow you'll know why...ooh. Pumpkin sounds nice. It's still okay to eat pumpkin, right? Even though the autumn season is over?

Did you know breakfast at Tiffany's is based on a Novel by Truman Capote?

What is it like to be able to grow hair on your face? I mean real hair...a beard. That's so cool. If I could be a man for a few days I would grow a beard, and I would pee standing up...outside, preferably.

Some of my friends (hi!) come from large families. 9, 10, 11 kids...I wonder what it's like to come from a large family. All those I know from large families are still close-knit. But I wonder if they are as close as my family is, or closer? and I always wonder-how can one have brotherly/sisterly relationships with that many people? I sometimes find it hard to maintain relationships with the 3 I have-how do they do it?

I also wonder what it is like to come from or live in a country where the collectiove memory and collective conscience is of sadness, or anger or continually being supressed. I would be usch a different person-I guess obviously-for growing up in a place like that. I feel very grateful for the happy happy childhood I had, and the wonderful place I live.

Also, yesterday I made a chocolate cake with layes! Here it is, In grand triumph...except for the frosting was originall darker, but SOMEONE told me I would only need one part, and then I needed more, so the second batch was a little lighter.




Also I have this observation. I am really attracted to people's voices. I love to hear people-talk, sing, laugh-whatever, but it's always the voices that I love more than anything else.


AND THANKS FOR THE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS!

"I'll borrow this one..." "That one? But you've read it twice!"

I've been doing some reading lately and feel so refreshed and rejuvenated by my interactions with the written word. I'd forgotten how much I really love to read. Not like I stopped reading all together-but had pushed it aside-letting it take the back burner to lots of other things in my life. But now I'm curious. What are your favorites? I know SOME people read this because you've commented or told me you do. So, Heather, Mom, Sarah, Denise, Meagan, Brooke, Roxanne, Liesl, Jules...and others...what are your favorites?

Mine are many. I love Jane Eyre. I love The Princess Academy. I love The Alchemist. I love Ella Enchanted. I really like 'Til we Have Faces (I don't know if I LOVE it.) I love The Most Beautiful Book in the World. I love Ella Minnow Pea. I love The Historian. I love the Book of Mormon. I can't think of others right now, though there are many that go unlisted.




Ooh, in other news. Our stake has challenged us all to read the Book of Mormon by the beginning of June, and I have had a wonderful time so far reading with my roommate, Holly. Yesterday we took a tip from a sweet girl in our ward that shared the idea at Ward Prayer, and bought new little copies at the distribution center to read this time through. We're each reading with our own lense, seeing what we get out of it for this time of our lives. I have always wanted to do this, so I am very excited. Plus, it's fun at the end of each day to catch up and read the scriptures together, and to share insights we've had over the past few days. I LOVE to talk about spiritual things with my friends, I always get such good insights from them. So thanks, friends.

I love words that start with "WH" whit, which, whimsy, But especially whimsy. (see following post for evidence to that fact)

So, about a year ago I fell in love with the movie Penelope. Well, part of it. yes it has a really fun story, yes it has what's his face in it...I can't think of his name right now. Yes it's eqal parts funny, charming, romantic and whimsical. But what I REALLY love about it is the way Penelope dresses. And ever since then, I have tried to introduce an element of whimsy into my dress. Generally I do that by mixing bright colors in strange ways, or with a fun flowered headband or fun earrings. But a few things I've been seeing are driving me crazy. They look like so much fun to wear! And, I love that there are so many wonderfl things in the world to make things around you more fun: check out that lamp! It just looks fun to be around. For example:




Maybe that is also why I LOVE fireworks, balloons and Christmas lights so much. They're just whimsical.


While we're on the subject, I also love my favorite photographer, and I have just had the epiphany...this is why I love him: LOOK at the level of whimsy he brings to life.




*from Rodney Smith

I just also think that whimsy (besides being such a wonderful word and so fun to say) is something that is missing a little too often in people and in their lives. I wish you a little whimsy in your day.

I'm not that good at the trivia, BUT WE WON.

I may or may not have just driven to Vegas on a rather impulsive trip for new years.



It was so fun. Very glad I did it. Grateful to Tyler for driving, and for his fun company. It was so fun to see Emily for a minute in St. George and am very grateful to her for a place to stay. Most of the drive home we played trivia on the ipod and it took us most of the way, but we finally BEAT THE GAME! yes.

It was actually really fun to be with so many people, all having a good time and celebrating the ringing in of the new year together. Everyone was jovial and optimistic about the upcoming year. We walked for miles, ate at the hard rock and played with their digital screen for a while, watched the fountains at the bellagio and the fireworks and even parked for FREE! It was great.

Next: CAMPING SOON?

It must be lovely in Vermont this time of year, all that snow.

Today I want to share some new insights to my life.

First, I am now a semi-dedicated runner. I know this because today, while it was snowing, and in inches of snow, I laced up my little sneakers and went running. I now know that even in icky weather I want to go on a run, so I am now semi-dedicated. I like it. Especially running in the cold because a) I don't sweat very much in the first place, so then I don't sweat at all, and b)it feels so good to breathe in the cold air-it's SO refreshing. However, running IN THE SNOW is hard. It's like snowshoeing, you have to PICK UP your legs and place them instead of just move along.
Oh and, running with my new ipod is awesome. Thanks mom and dad; you're the BEST!

Second, I can't remember what I was going to say here because I just watched a preview for The Back Up Plan and almost died laughing at one part, and am now so distracted I don't remember what this thought was going to be.

Third, I do not love sitting really close to the screen at the movies. It makes me nauseous.

Fourth, I do not make a very convincing liar. I wonder why this is, because I have a lot of practice trying, and used to be quite good at it.

Fifth, I remember what the second was. I hate snow when it just SITS there, but when it's falling gently in large fluffy flakes, especially at night, I love it. It's so romantic and beautiful and feminine...all things I love. And so I can't help but fall in love with snow a little more each time it falls gently.

That's all.

Christmas Wish List

1. Ultimate Dream: for someone to pay for my trip to London.

2. An ipod. Nothing fancy. the smaller, the better, but one that I can use to run with, so I can get an arm band, and so then I can control it from my car.

3. A polaroid camera...and the money to support the habit.

4. A hand held mini steamer. I hate ironing more than anything, and simply don't do it. So this will help me look less sloppy.


I would also love any fun kitchen gadgets. Like new measuring spoons or cups that feel really solid- you know? and maybe I would LOVE a cake decorating set...pipes and tips and stuff...that's all. I know most f this isn't feasible. So otherwise, I like books. and movies. and plane tickets. and travel books. and plane tickets. and pretty pictures to hang in my house/room. and plane tickets. Love, amy.

So it's no longer November...That doesn't mean I can't be grateful...

Right now, I am grateful for a few things:
1. Meagan-I am happy she is back. I love that sometimes, I get the most inspirational perspectives and thoughts about life from her. And she always lets me complain but has nice things to say about everyone.
2. Sunny Days-today I got my car washed-yay! it's clean.
3. Baking-I am attempting to make this cardamom bread I made with my roommate Julia, but I am not nearly as good in the kitchen department as she is...It's been rising for 4 hours and still isn't double...
4. But along the same lines, I bought cookie cutters today and am making sugar cookies to help myself feel better.
5. I also watched The American President, which is one of my favorite movies of all time. It always makes me happy.
6. Opinions-I am glad I have them, and that people around me do too, it makes for more delightful conversation.
7. Being able to participate in giving tree and sub for santa programs. They MAKE the holiday season for me (outside of baking and making paper snowflakes)
8. Optimism-it is a blessing to be an optimist, I must say. I think it's because I come from an optimistic group of people. Those in my family always looking on the bright side-thank you.

some thoughts from yesterday and today

advice for my neighbor: If you don't like the way I'm piling the snow as I'm shoveling it because "It's making my nice snowy yard look dingy and unattractive with the random piles" everywhere, then YOU shovel the snow on my driveway.

advice for the lady in the library sitting next to me at the table: You should maybe go into the bathroom to nurse your baby. Even though you have one of those stupid shields, I STILL KNOW what you're doing and even though we're at BYU it's still annoying and innapropriate. Especially since about 30 feet away is a womans bathroom with a couch in it. GO IN THERE. gross.

advice for you, stupid customer: Telling me that another store will do something dishonest just makes me want to call my boss and tell on them, because I am THAT mature. It doesn't make me want to do it for you. It also makes me want to tell you that you are a bad person and dishonest. And sometimes, I do tell you.

advice for Martin Scorsese: You should please make more cool movies like the departed with a more acceptable rating so I can feel good about watching them. Because...dang.

advice for you, my friend: Listen to my advice. I PROMISE it would be good for you.


Love, amy.

I have been thinking...

about what to do with my life. Any suggestions?
I think I am ready for a career change- maybe a 9-5 something or other. One where I can take weekends and holidays off. One where Saturdays are days you go in to the office only if you're a freak. OR maybe it's just time to go to graduate school.

That being said, any suggestions? I don't have any particular care where I go, only don't know where to begin. And the GMAT is hard. I hate math. Why is it necessary to solve for x? Isn't that a little high of an expectation for someone not even into business school? Let's just be real here, folks. And why does it matter if the provided information is enough to solve the problem. Somehow I always seem to come up with an answer.






By the way, I am lately very much enjoying the balmy summer evenings. Taking walks with friends is my favorite past time. Isn't it great?

Found another lovely little story...

Enjoy! (again, no spelling or punctuation changes have been made. I just think it feels more fun this way.)

The Sick Animals of Kingsport Hill

Once in a city near Kingsport Hill lived a farmer and his wife and 3 children on thier farm they had 2 horses, 3 ducks, 4 geese and 5 pigs Thier mother liked the pig they called Elanore the most because he had a good appetite and she feeds him well one day Elanore ate to much and she got very sick
A doctor lives on Kingsport Hill. So they took Elanore to see the doctor. The doctor said that Elanore would be very sick for a ling time and would have to stay with him the family sadly left. When they got home theire cow was in the pig pen and had aten some of the pigs food and the pigs were gone!!! Two months later the cow got sick and the doctor said that the pig had died the family sobbed and the mother panicked the same thing happened with the cow Betsy. Was the doctor killing theire animals?

The End.

When...

will it stop raining?


love, amy.

i dream about...

a room that has a few things:







doesn't it look fun to be in that room? There would also be a frieplace, because let's face it. It's cold outside. and fires are nice.