Monday, December 22, 2008

The J Factor


Tis the season... in the city

WE just had the most wonderfuk trip to the city...









Jordan's sweet mom arranged great hotels and we all enjoyed the city's Chirstmas festivities. We went to the Rockettes, Nutcracker, Rochefeller Center, and of course Saks. It was such a treat. One of the days the weather was gorgeous too, it was warmer in the city than in Pheonix AZ. Crazy!!! We saw the most beauiful Christmas lights all over. That's the best thing about NYC this time of year. Everything is covered in lights. I adore Manhattan. Now I'm counting down the seconds until Jordan gets here to spend Christmas with the whole family. Except the Jensens :( they weill be so missed!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Finals can kill!




Well it's saturday night and guess where I am. The library. RUDE, I've been studying my life away to try to live through this week and move. The one good thing is I'm on my way to New York on friday with my parents. Jordan's parents will be there too!! I'm so excited because we are going to see the Rockettes and the Nutcracker!!

Wish me luck!!!!!

If I don't make it, mom please give keri my closet and library... Matt can have my camera too.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Grateful For...

flowers. this blog. family. JORDAN RAY. byu-i. juice boxes. my grandparents. new babies. good music. internet access. pumpkin empanadas. my camera. great books. my religion class. new boots. only a few weeks left of geology. autumn leaves. being able to some christmas in new york. disneyland. apple cider. having jordan for Christmas morning. jambe juice. manicures and pedicures. cranberry sauce. laughing until my stomach hurts. people who work hard and serve. america. life.


to be continued...

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Take a look... it's in a book...

Well now that the sun comes up a little earlier I've been waking up much earlier which is rude because my sleeping in days are limited and I like to enjoy the ones I have left. However in light of this tragic situation I've been enjoying some good books in my spare tired time. Here are my recent reads and recommendations....


- Twilight Series ( these are a must read before you see the movie) Stephanie Meyer
- The Host ( ******so good) Stephanie Meyer
- The Friday Night Knitting Club : Kate Jacobs
- The Secret LIfe of Bees : Sue Monk Kidd
- The Screwtape Letters : C.S. Lewis
- How to Win Friends & Influence People : Dale Carnegie
- What Divici Didn't Know : Richard Neitzel Holzapfel
- Eat, Pray, Love
- P.S. I Love You

Here's on the soon to read list (authors not listed sorry)

-Ender's Game
- The Hunger Games
- The Red Tent
- 7 Habits for Highly Effective People
- More the Narnia Series

ANY MORE SUGGESTIONS PEOPLE???


Friday, November 7, 2008

i miss my city...

I miss Manhattan... These are a few of my favorite things...



shopping, especially the family jewel.



patsy's



the met



serendipity

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Release



I've been taking a dance class at school and it's been so good for me. I took the last two semesters off because of London and I was just too busy with work to get to any classes in New York, which I'm still sad about. However, I'm back in it now. At first I was really timid in class because I'm so behind from taking so much time off, but it's been great to work hard and see myself grow again. This week we are working on a halloween dance to Michael Jackson and IT'S SO FUN. I'm always so happy when I leave that class and it feels great. I'm so grateful for my healthy body and the beautiful way God created movement. I'm not sure what I would do to release stress and express myself without dance. I've learned a lot this semester about dance as a way to worship. It brings me closer to God to dance my way through life!

"DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING"

Monday, October 27, 2008

Nobama

From a friend of mine...

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read 'Vote Obama, I need the money.' I laughed.

Once in the restaurant with a client, my server had on an 'Obama 08' button on, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference--just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn, even though the actual recipient "needed" the money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application. Nobama, it's a no brainer!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

home again home again... slow... as I can.

Well I'm back in Rexburg. It's cold, it's dry and there's a country between J and I. YUCK.
Any encouraging words?

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Eternal Beauty

In this day, the fashions, the sham, the pretenses, and the glamour of the world have badly distorted the holy concepts of home and marriage, and, even the marriage ceremony itself. Blessed is the wise mother who paints a living picture to her daughter of a sacred scene in an exquisite, heavenly sealing room where, shut out from all that is worldly, and in the presence of parents and intimate family friends, a beautiful youthful bride and groom clasp hands across a holy altar. Thank God for that mother who shows her daughter that here, nearest to heaven on earth, heart communes with heart, in a mutuality of love that begins a oneness which defies the ravages of hardship, heartaches, or disappointments to destroy, and supplies the greatest stimulus for life’s highest attainments!

- The Divine Purpose of Marriage,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee
















“If a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood … , it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads.” (Doc. and Cov. D&C 132:19.)

22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a aman leave his bfather and his mother, and shall ccleave unto his dwife: and they shall be one flesh.
-Genesis 2:18, 22–24.

*** For those of you who haven't already, become more informed on proposition 8. Please find out how you can help protect the sanctity of marriage!! Vote YES!!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

J&K together finally... 10.10

Finally!!!! It's almost the weekend!!!!!!!!!! Jordan is coming down for BYU homecoming. I'm so excited i could die. We haven't seen each other since I left NYC august 22nd. So its about time! I'm already dreading when it's over. The whole family (Mum, Dad, Boo, Keri& Mike, and some of Jordan's siblings) is coming too. I super excited for the football game. It's such a breath of fresh to get out of little Rexburg as much as I love it. It's already getting so so cold here. The wind is the worst. It's so dry too. I'm such a California girl.

photographs by K.brown





brynie bear











Just thought these needed to go up!!! Pleaser everyone note Brooke in the last two pictures. HAHA.

Girls Getaways



Weekend trip to SLC. So relaxing just me and the bestie.

>

Don't worry it was just an overnight trip, but we came prepared...



OUT ON THE TOWN



Saturday morning slushies in the spa tradition starting now...

London Reunion






We all got together at The Gateway for Ben's Cookies!! YUM!!!!!!! It was such a good time. I loved seeing all the girls and I definitely loved having some Ben's cookies. I miss all the girls and London so much. I can't wait o get back there. To London or bust!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The boys are back in town...







All the boys are back from their missions!!!! It's been so great to reunite. I can't wait to be able to serve a mission one day so I really enjoyed hearing all about their stories. From the people to the beautiful languages and the cultures, it was so fascinating. Looking back it seems like those two years flew by and yet so very much has changed. I can't believe I'm a senior now and approaching graduation!! I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had during my college years. It's been a great ride and there's more to come!!

Everyone is getting hitched!




On my way home from NY I stopped in Northern California to go the last roommates wedding. That means I'm the only one left either not married or on a mission. Super! LOL. No I'm completely content right now with my stage in life. It's been great to travel all over to my friends homes and be apart of their weddings!! Kendall's was gorgeous. Her colors were a very bright green and deep red, beautiful contrast! Cheers to getting married!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Don't take Mum for granted.




I love this quote. It's from a book Friday Night Knitting Club, the quotes is an older woman reflecting on her relationship with her mom.

"Her friends were all awitter now that their adult daughters were on a kick of getting to know them as equals. " I want us to be friends," she'd heard that these grown children kept insisting to their mothers. Of course, what these daughters wanted was to be able to bare their souls to the one person in the world who would love them without restraint, whose approval was priceless, who would find them and their myriad life issue endlessly fascinating. It is a beautiful gift, thought Anita, to have your mother be your very dearest and best friend. It is quite another to try to be hers. Then you'd have to actually get to know her. As a real person"

Just wanted to say thanks to my mother for being my best friend. Surely I don't know the gravity or ability of a mothers love, but I do have an unconditional love that is pretty darn close. I hope she considers me her best friend as well as I try to treat her as the amazing real person she is.