Because I Believe in No Regrets....

LUCHA!!!!!!

2009-11-18T16:19:00.002-07:00

This post is a long time in coming but I when to a Luchador Match! Yes for all you Nacho Libre fans they do exist and in fact they are quite entertaining. I wish I could post pictures and videos but that will have to wait seeing as my laptop is broken.
My roommate, LJ, and I went with three of our guy friends, Moroni, Julio, and Emanuel, and Emanuel´s girlfriend. It was a blast and definitely reminded me of a Mexican rendition of WWE (I think that is what it is called in the US.).
I learned quite a few things while I was watching. Most interesting to me is that not every fighter wears a mask. If they don´t wear a mask they have to grow their hair out really long. If they loose, instead of getting their mask taken off they get their head shaved. We saw a guy loose his mask which it a HUGE DEAL. We also saw a guy give up his mask in surrender.
All in all it may have not have been the smartest thing to go to as it gets a little rowdy but it will definitly be an experience I will never forget!
GO RUDOS!

Happy Birthday SEAN!!!!

2009-11-16T12:50:00.003-07:00

For those of you who don´t believe the saying absence makes the heart grow fonder you have definitely not had a loved one half way around the world, literally.
Today is Sean´s birthday. If you don't know who Sean is than you don't know me well enough. I am so lucky to have had Sean in my life. I am who I am today because I know him!
Happy Birthday Sean! Thank you for doing exactly what you are doing!
con todo mi corazon
Carly

The Hair Is Gone (2 months ago)

2009-11-03T15:32:00.007-07:00

I do admit this post is rather late in coming but after a facebook post from my cousin Julie I realized that I hadn't told anyone that I had cut my hair. Well world.... I CUT MY HAIR:) My hair has never been a big deal to me and so cutting it wasn't that big of a deal either. However, I will admit that I am proud of my bravery when I look back and realize that I did cut it in a foreign country, one of the other teachers cut it, and she cut it with sowing scissors (they were the best we could find.)

The two Carly's before the process began!

My hair! The best part is Emily's reaction in the back, check it out!

Touching it up.
Finished product!
My hair has grown a little since this picture seeing as I cut my hair on the 19th of September. I love it now but think I will let it grow. Next adventure.... I'm going blond! Solo un chiste!!! I would never! Hasta Luego!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T08:04:00.008-06:00

I was really sad this year to miss Halloween! Although I'm not that big of a Halloween fan I do enjoy seeing the kids trick or treating and carving pumpkins. Don't get me wrong Dia de Los Muertos will be incredible to see but since our family is Mormon we won't get to see the celebration first hand, it is a Catholic holiday.
I wasn't the only one missing the holiday. All of us as teachers dressed up in our Mexico soccer jerseys and became the Mexico soccer team. I didn't expect anyone to know why we dressed up when we got to school. However they had a surprise for us!!!!!

My Homeroom Class
Libia, Alex, Marianna, Magali, Deyda, and Nexter
Pepe, Paulina, and Rebecca were missing:(

All the Students at Gaille!

Andrea, Jimena, Nester, Pepe, Santiago, Raphael, Marianna, Andre, and Me!

THE BABIES! These kids range from 2 to 3 and they are speaking English!

Traditional Dia de Los Muertos decor!

I'm So Excited and I Just Can't Hide It!

2009-10-30T23:36:00.002-06:00

This is going to be a short post but I'm just writing to let everyone know how excited I am! About 10 minutes ago I checked my email to discover that I got accepted into the European Tour program at BYU-Idaho! What does this mean????

I'M GOING TO EUROPE NEXT SUMMER!!!!!

Lost in Translation...

2009-10-26T11:04:00.005-06:00

LJ and I have an incredible host family that loves to take us places on Sundays! One of the past Sundays they took us to a very ornate church. Outside the church was this sign.
LJ and I as well as Emily and Lauren, who were with us, began to laugh. When our family asked us what was up we explained through laughter as best we could. The term lost in translation is an everyday thing for me. However, I am happy to say it has never been this bad!

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!!

2009-10-16T18:27:00.005-06:00

So mixed emotions came with today as it is the official halfway mark for all of us teachers here in Mexico. How did we celebrate in Puebla???

We played What Are You Going To Do When You Get Back To The States!!
Results:
LJ-Drink out of a drinking fountain, flush a toilet without a bucket, and eat swedish fish!
Lauren- Wash and dry my clothes!
Carly Laga- Go to the bathroom with a paper cover and walk barefoot in the Airport.
Amelia- Get ice cream (What? We do this at least twice a week in Mexico), Take a shower without flipflops, use a vacuum cleaner, and walk down the street without cat calls.
Emily- Eat Porcupine meatballs
Me- Sleep on the floor, use ice cubes, and listen in on someone else's conversation.

All- Kiss our families and those we love!
SLEEP IN PAST SEVEN BECAUSE WE AREN'T WOKEN UP BY...
GASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS (BUM BUM BUM BUM BADDADA BUM BUM BOOM BOOM) PARA TODO FAMILIA!

I don't want anyone to think that we aren't grateful for our time here or the experiences.... but something are just worth missing.

Que Asco!

2009-10-16T17:37:00.003-06:00

Last night I can say I experienced something I never had before! LJ and I walked into our host family´s home to see our 7 year old sister munching on something in a good sided clear tub. I asked her what she was eating and she handed the tub to me and LJ. LJ almost lost her ¨comida¨at the smell but I looked and couldn´t believe what I saw! In this tub was probably three hundred dried minnows. My little sister was just munching on them like they were fries.
Well.... I promised myself when I got here that I would try everything that was put in front of me. Here goes nothing. I truly almost threw up. The minnow wasn´t that bad until I got to the head. I don´t know if it was because it actually tasted bad or it was just the thought of eating fish eyes that made me gag but gag I did.
I guess it wasn´t that bad... At least I gave my host family a huge laugh!

You Never Know....

2009-10-15T14:27:00.002-06:00

You never know how much you missed someone until they´re gone. That is how the saying goes right? Well I have a new one! You never know how much you missed someone until you don´t see there face for about two and a half weeks when you are use to seeing it daily. You never know how much you missed someone until you hear their voice and realize that life is truly a wonderful thing. You never know how much you missed someone until your life falls apart and is put back together and through that whole experience you just wanted their advice. You never know how much you missed someone until you see them smile and hear them laugh.

I missed you family! It was good to talk to you!

A New Goal is Set Forth!

2009-10-15T14:09:00.002-06:00

I recently got a letter from my older sister that challenged me to take a picture everyday of something exciting that happened. I decided to not just take a picture but to blog about that picture. Now I´m not going to promise that the picture will be on the blog everyday but I will blog about something that happened to me at least 3 times a week.
I hope this doesn´t get boring for those few people that glance at my blog but I am half way through my time here and have not recored anything. Opps!

Today my exciting event is that we bought orange juice! Fresh orange juice! I am not kidding the guys squeezed it in front of our faces. Each cup the teachers bought had 7 oranges worth of juice! Yeah for amazingness! You never know the things that will make you day better. This definately did!

Taxco!!!!

2009-09-23T18:12:00.005-06:00

Mexico's Independance day was September 15th! Do you know what that means???? A week off school! With all this time to spare what is a girl to do? Go on VACATION of course! LJ, Carly, and I decided to hit up a place nicknamed the CITY OF SILVER... Taxco! I don't think I have been in a more magical place in my life and it was made even more magical with the addition of red, green, and white lights!

To see some pictures look on my facebook. I'm sorry but it is too difficult to upload pictures to blogger:( It was a wonderful vacation full of sleeping, being lazy, eating more food than humanly possible, shopping, and staying up way to late (I know Mom! I know!):)

The one bad thing that happened on our trip was that the other Carly got really sick. I mean really sick!! She has not been feeling well since we got to Mexico but this trip and all the food we ate put her over the top. Thankfully she didn't get really sick till the last day and we were able to get her home and to the hospital!! She is doing good now thankfully!

This country is beautifully, amazing! Just when I think I have seen it all something else makes me realize that we truly do live in an extraordinary world!

I'm Lovin' It!!!

2009-09-08T14:16:00.012-06:00

Yes food in Mexico is to die for but anyone who has been to a foriegn country knows.... Sometimes you just need something AMERICAN!!!!! WELCOME TO MCDONALDS!!

Missing a Special Day!

2009-09-04T08:18:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Dad!!! I hope it is a wonderful one and I sorry that once again I can't be there:( I have talked about my Dad before on this blog and I'm going to do it again!

My Dad is the hardest working man I know! He puts in long hours at work but wakes up at around 3 in the morning so that he can still come home by 4 and be a Dad at home! During my life my Dad has often been the one to drive me to competition soccer games as well as pick me up from school at Weber High. Living far away from school and soccer had an incredible advantage as I got to have amazing talks with him during the drive!

As a child I remember looking forward to Monday Nights because that was Daddy Daughter nights. Although I missed my Mom not being there, she would have to work, I loved them. We would get in the bath and after the bath my Dad would braid up our hair. Then we would eat either scones, waffles, or french toast and then spend the rest of the time before bed watchind Dr. Quinn Medicine Women!

My Dad is someone who does an incredible amount of things but never asks for anything in returen. I love this about my Dad, even though it has made buying Birthday and Christmas presents extremely hard. My Dad is the best kind of Man, physically, spiritually, and mentally!

I love you Dad! Happy Birthday!!!!

My New Mexican Family!!!

2009-08-29T09:04:00.010-06:00

People in Mexico..... How exactly do I describe them? Incredible doesn't fit and my favorite word amazing doesn't do them justice. I guess I will just say that the people in Mexico are just that, the people in Mexico. I have not met a mean Mexican yet and I love it!

My opinion of Mexicans only gets better with the introduction of my host family. This faithful LDS family has given me everything I asked for and more! It has only been a week and a half with them and I already love them!

I will not lie the first couple of days were harder than I ever would have expected. No one in my family knew English and neither me and my roommate, LJ, knew Spanish. To say the least it is interesting. Everyday consists of charades and a spanish-english dictionary and I love it!
In my host family there are 6 people. My host Father Amair who owns his own paper and internet store that is below the house. My host Mother Tonia who like my Mother is always running the kids somewhere and keeping everything organized. Alonzo who is the oldest and only boy. Alonzo is an incredble big brother and a athletic machine. He plays futbol, basketball, volleyball, and swims. At the moment he is not living with his family because he is at a private LDS High School in Mexico City. Coral is next and is the one who is taking English classes from ILP. She is thirteen years old and talks faster than anyone should be able to. She is a sweet heart and has an obsession with Harry Potter that rivals Megan Marsden:). Melany is next at age 11. She is very proud that her name is a North American name or nombre de Norte Americana as she says it. Melany is probably my favorite just because she loves listening to my very broken spanish and relates to me as we are both the second oldest daughter! Frida is the youngest at age eight and a fireball! She loves to sing and is Mommy's little girl! She has the cutest smile with her missing front teeth and always grabs mine or LJ's hands!

Well that is a little discription of my family. Although I love them I do miss my family in the states more than they will ever know. I love you guys and think of you everyday!

LJ!!! My roommate and saving grace!!!

The Family on our Sunday Stroll!

Melany!!

Alonzo mi hermano!

Coral!!

Coral and Frida!

Madre Tonia!

Padre Amair!

My First Week in Mexico!!!

2009-08-26T07:12:00.039-06:00

Hola mis amigos y mi familia!!! So your patience has paid off. Here comes the huge post of what I have been up to the last week. ENJOY!! August 13th-my Mom and sisters helped me into the airport with my luggage, got me checked in and then we all said goodbye, of course there were tears, but I was excited. I then got on the plane with my two new friends Lauren and Emily. We flew to Dallas, Texas where we had only an hour layover. At the Dallas airport we met another girl, also named Lauren but lovingly named LJ, going to Puebla as well as the rest of the teachers who are teaching in Tehuacan. We then flew the rest of the was to Mexico City. We were met in the Airport by on of the ILP representatives named Teo. Teo and his wife are like the principles of the school in Tehuacan. We waited in the airport for 4 hours until our bus showed up (the time was filled with people watching). We then went drove another 2 or 3 hours to Tehuacan.

Going through customs at the Mexico City airport.

Outside the Tehuacan school!

August 14th- My first real culture shock happened the first morning I woke up when I went to take a shower and there was no shower curtain. Although this wasn't a big deal, it was definitely a surprise. The water was cold by I enjoyed it none the less. Life was looking good. The rest of the day was spent walking around Tehuacan and meeting some of the people associated with the school there. It was kinda pointless for those 6 of us not staying in Tehuacan but it was still very fun. While we were walking around town we noticed that there was a small canival going on. Nothing to big but there was three cages with a baboon, a tiger, and a bear. Also there was a street performing Mime. He saw us watching him and in spanish asked us our names and where we were from. Then out of all the girls he proceeding to pick me out and call me up with him to act out a scene. It was fun definitely but a little embarrassing and he made jokes about us being in love. Ha Ha! What is a girl to do? All in all it was fun! That night all of the ILP teachers started out on a trip around Mexico. We did this because are students are still having their vacation and so we took one too. The vacation started that night when a small bus came and picked us up at 11. It would be our home for the next couple of days.

Yep no shower curtains.

MI AMOR!

I love the ARCHITECTURE!!! GO AP ART HISTORY!

August 15th started out wonderfully with the opportunity to go to the temple at Veramosa. Although all of the individuals I traveled with are LDS not all brought their recommends and I was so very grateful I had mine. It was an incredible experience to see inside this small temple and to hear the prayers said in a different language completely. Next on our travels we went to a small zoo/museum in the city of Tabasco. The animals we actually really interesting! The funniest part to me was seeing all the people gathered around the raccoon cage while all of us were looking at the crocodiles. In the museum were all sorts of Native Heads and artifacts. An exciting moment for me happened when I spotted the Colossal Head. For those of you who don't know this is the head that you always see in the History and Art books! That night we slept in what is called a hostile which is basically a small hotel that can fit about 6 people in a room. The crazy part is that we only paid 100 pesos, 9 dollars, and there was a swimming pool. It was great!!

The Veramosa Temple

Kissing THE Head

August 16th was my favorite day that we had. We went to two exciting places, Palenque and Agua Azul. Palenque is basically a park filled with huge pyramids dating back to right after Book of Mormon time. It was incredible and if you don't believe me look at the pictures:) I ran up the tallest temple there just to say I did it! Man was it hard!

Agua Azul was so much fun, especially after a hot day of hiking ruins. Basically Agual Azul is what it is called Blue Water. However, the name does fail to mention the huge falls that that this Blue Water cascades down. It was a blast to swim in the water and jump off the falls. At one point a man had jumped off and after him I did. All the sudden he started saying something and a man started swimming to him. He started to say the same thing in English and the word was "Help" I began swimming to him, thanking my Mom and Day for the lessons, and helped the other man support him. LJ jumped in soon after and helped us. It was a good thing because she is a trained LifeGuard. All in all it was exciting and terrifying at the same time.

After Agua Azul we were heading back to the bus when all these kids with food start crowding around us. We start talking to them in our broken Spanish and before long we have friends. We bought some food, including sugar cane YUM!, and some of the girls braided the little girls' hair. We had lots of fun and ate some tasty food. That night we slept on the bus and drove to our next destination.

Lauren, Ashley, and Me jumping for joy!!! It took 20 pictures, no joke, to get this shot.

Ashley and ME!!!

The Whole Group!

Palanque!

Agua Azul!!!

Sugar Cane!!!

Our little friends at Agua Azul

August 17th was spent on a boating trip down a river that divides Mexico from Guatemala. The boat ride took us to some more ruins that were supposedly built during Book of Mormon time. Also the river we went down is supposedly the river Sidon talked about in the Book of Mormon so that was really cool! On the way back from the ruins we talked to our boat captain and got him to go over to the Guatemala side of the river. We stood on the beach and collected shells and had a really good time in Guatemala for about 5 minutes. After the river we went into a small town and went to an internet cafe to talk to family and friends online. For 8 pesos it was definitely worth it! That night we slept in another Hostile and were on our way the next morning!

It is so GREEN!!!

The Palace

Lamanite Ruins... Maybe.

Hanging from a vine at the ruins

Guatemala

August 18th we traveled to a really pretty lake. It reminded me of home except the fact that there were palm trees everywhere. It was rainy that day and so we didn't go out on the lake. Instead we played with all the kids who sold things by the lake. One of the girls that was there just started braiding my hair for the fun of it. It was really sweet and she was darling!

After the lake we went to San Crusibal and stayed in a really nice hotel for again really cheap. One of my favorite things about Mexico is all the incredible colors they use. Our hotel was no exception with pink and green all over! As soon as we got to the hotel we all crashed even though it was still early because we were all so incredibly exhausted!

Little girl at the Lake braiding my hair.

The two Carlys in our incredibly colorful hotel

August 19th was the last day of vacation. We took it easy with shopping a little around San Crusibal which is where are hotel was. We also took another boat trip into an incredibly canyon. This canyon has incredible history as it is the place where the natives of Mexico would jump to their death to avoid slavery. Yes a little gruesome but interesting none the less. Also on this boat ride I saw the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. They call it the Christmas Tree and it is a small waterfall that is fed by a natural spring. I couldn't really get a good picture of it so if you want to see good pictures go to Google images and put in The Christmas Tree Waterfall. It is Green and on the side of the Canyon.

While we were on the boat ride people began talking to us in English because 17 girls all together and all white look like Americas:) We soon started talking to a couple of older gentlemen and come to find out 2 of them were from Utah and work for the visual media part of the church and the other was a temple president. In fact we went to the temple he was president of later that day however it was closed for cleaning.

Boating down the Canyon with Kami by my side.

Tunsla Temple

Tunsla temple

Our wonderful bus drivers and guides

As you can see it has been a crazy week full of excitement, adventure, and culture! I love it here and will write again soon about going to Puebla and finally meeting my host family!!! I hope you enjoy the pictures and thank you so much for all of your prayers!!

¡¡Me Encanta Mexico con todo mi corazon!!

2009-08-14T15:46:00.002-06:00

I am here, I am safe, and it is beautiful!!! I promise I will post pictures as soon as I get the chance but just so you all know the flight was wonderful! The wait for the bus was long, 4 hours. I dont remember the drive to Tehucan because I was asleep:) The food is fabulous and the people are amazing!!! I love Mexico and think I am going to stay down here forever, just kidding Mom!
I miss you all and once again I promise to send some pictures! All of us are leaving tonight at midnight to go exploring before school starts on August 24th. The plan is to visit waterfalls, Inca temples and those big heads (Me want Gum Gum). Also we will see alligators and the jungle side of Mexico. After that I will meet my host family and start teaching! I am so excited! Thank you all for you support and for your love! I miss you all but know that I am very happy and healthy!
Hasta Luego!

Clogging!!!!

2009-08-03T00:08:00.002-06:00

For those of you that know I love to Clog!! This video is of my old dance teacher, the one with the shortest hair, and her sisters competing in this season's America's Got Talent! Check it out!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-MwSVaavJw

Family Reunion in Oregon!!!

2009-08-02T22:44:00.024-06:00

What can a say about spending a week with the Brutsch side of my family in Oregon..... Well it was..... AMAZING!!! They say that a picture is worth a thousand words so instead of blogging a whole novel for you I'm going to instead give you a photo album!!! Enjoy!!!

P.S. All these pictures were not taken by me! Thanks for letting me steal some off your blogs family:)

The Man I Look Up To!

2009-06-29T20:26:00.003-06:00

Once again I know I am awful at blogging about the holiday on the actual date it happened.

What can I say about my Dad except that he is my Dad. To many he may come off quiet, to others he is the entertained, but to me he is my Dad full of wisdom, quick wit, and when needed disciplining words. One thing I absolutely love about my Dad is that he is a self-proclaimed "sideways thinker." When others look at a problem they look at it in a biased fashion either vertically or horizontally. My Dad has a way of clearing all biases from his head and seeing things from a different, but more often then not, better angle.

My Dad is the hardest working man I know! Often times he puts in 50 to 60 hours a week at work and then will come home and remodel the bathroom or build us a deck. Some people may say that working so much isn't good for children parent relationships but I can say with no complains that my Dad was an active part in my life. In fact some of the talks we have had will forever live with me, yes Dad "He" will be kind!

I don't think I will ever truly know all that my Dad has sacrificed for me. I do know however that it is a lot and there is no way on this earth that I can pay him back! I love you Dad, I love you a lot! Drive safe!

Start Counting Down Till August 13th!

2009-06-02T16:56:00.003-06:00

Many of the close family and friends who read my blog are already aware but I have been talking about going to Mexico to teach English with a program known as International Language Progam(ILP) for quite some time. Well I'm estatic to annouce that it is official!!! I will be leaving for Puebla, Mexico on August 13 of this year and come back sometime in late December! I am so excited and feel so blessed to have this opportunity!

Many of you might be wondering, because I know I did, where in the world is Puebla? It is located between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz. Basically when people ask me I tell them Puebla is South East of Mexico City.

I am really excited for this opportunity and can't wait to see the kids I will be teaching and meet my host family that I will be living with! This is going to be an amazing experience and I am totally and completely excited to go!

Here are some pictures from Puebla just so you can see where I will be spending the next four months!

The Job Among the "Oaks"

2009-05-31T18:04:00.002-06:00

I resently got a new job in the Valley!!! For you to understand my excitement you need to understand that there aren't that many jobs for people of any age in the Valley. I live in a small community with a thousand good things about it but one of the few bad things is that it is far away from many large businesses and so the job opportunites are low.

I was very excited when I was interviewed almost instantly for a job at The Oaks, a restaurant located in magestic Ogden Canyon. Since working their I have gone through quite a shock as I once again have had to adjust to the real world since leaving BYU-Idaho. I loved BYU- Idaho but having all Mormons around you all the time in not how the real world is and so after leaving I am left to adjusting.

When I began working at this restaurant I started out as a Hostess and have since moved up to be a Server. I am learning how to be an exceptional server and loving every minute of it. The fun part about being a server is getting to really talk to the customers. At a sit down restaurant it isn't about hurrying people though but instead about making them feel welcome. I have met some colorful characters while working and learned some amazing things!

All in all I enjoy my job! Sometimes it is hard but I am also really enjoying things!

17 and All Grown-Up!

2009-05-31T17:47:00.002-06:00

I am horrible at actually blogging on birthdays the day that they happen so you will have to forgive me!

My little sister Cierra's birthday was a few days ago on the 26th of May! Although I have talked about Cierra already on this blog I just want to let her know, if she ever reads this, that I love her and I am so very grateful of her example. I am also thankful that we were able to attend High School and Junior High together. At first Cierra and I weren't very close. I mean we are sisters so we were already close but she wanted to read and I was more interested in hanging with friends. However as we road to school together often and saw each other in the halls every day we grew close!

Describing Cierra would be a difficult task but I will defiantly try. She is loving, a peacemaker, kind hearted, avid reader, aggressive lacrosse player, has her own mind, knows who she is, hilarious, always wants what is best for others, beautiful, helpful, spiritual, eager to learn, eager to try new things, determined, a motivator, and more than anything an incredible little sister!

I love you Cierra!

His Voice!

2009-05-31T17:32:00.003-06:00

Although I talked about Mother's Day already there was another important event that happened that day. I felt so blessed when the Marsden family allowed me to go down to their house on Mother's Day to talk to Elder Marsden on the phone. It was so fun to have the door answered by Sean's Dad with the phone to his ear. How it worked was each of the members of Sean's family and I had a phone so all of us could hear what he was saying and speak when needed.

The conversation was short, it was sweet, and it was satisfying. Although we all felt like we could talk for several hours the words that were spoken and the message that was shared was more meaningful than any amount of time could have given.

I am so grateful for the obedience of Sean and the importance he stressed to keep the conversation to the allotted 40 minutes. His words were wonderful and his spiritual growth was obvious through every word he spoke. I was in awe and thanksgiving for the person he was and has become!

Thank you so much again Marsden family for allowing me to be a part of this loving phone call!

I know..... I know!

2009-05-31T17:27:00.002-06:00

I know it has been a while since I posted and because of that I have missed some important events. I will begin my repentance to those who actually read my blog and give you a few blog posts for your enjoyment!

Slacker!

2009-05-30T11:41:00.001-06:00

I promise there will be a ton on new posts on the way! Please forgive me!

Mother's Day!!!

2009-05-13T12:21:00.002-06:00

Mother's Day is never enough to me. How on earth can I express in one specific day how much the woman who gave me much more than just life means to me? I do show appreciation for my wonderful Mother as often as I can but on Mother's Day I always feel like I come up short. There is no way to put into words, presents, or even actions what my truly amazing Mother has done for me!

Ever since I can remember I have known that my Mom has loved me but it wasn't until I was in High School that I realized the sacrifices she made in order to become the Mother figure she is today. She will tell you that those sacrifices were worth it and I'm sure they were, but that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate every single day every single action she does for me!

I love you Mom and I hope that you special day was special. Never forget that I feel honored to call you my Mother because a Mother is so much more than a parent and so much more than a friend!

LoGaN!!!

2009-05-13T11:56:00.011-06:00

I was really bored sitting around with nothing to do as the rain had spoiled pervious made plans. Then out of no where my phone began buzzing. I picked it up to hear Melissa Brown's voice on the other end with the exciting new plans to visit our friend, and "cousin", Analise who was working on packing up her things at the Utah State. We also wanted to meet the famous Alec who is Analise's new *cough*"man friend":) We drove up to Logan with our really good friend Austin Dickson who had just recieved his call to Independence, Missouri Spanish-speaking. We were pumped for him and pumped to be on a very small but very exciting road trip.

Me and Melissa
Melissa
When we got to Logan we met up with some old High School friends and saw how everyone was doing. Then we began to make new friends including Alec, yes Analise I approve, and a guy named Landon who Melissa had seen at choir concerts but never met.
Analise My Cousin
Christian
After spending most of the morning with them I had to go to work. It was a very regretful goodbye as we were having so much fun. However before we got to Ogden I got a call saying that they didn't need me to come in to work. So guess what we did? Turned right back around and went to Logan and continued to make new friends and hang with old ones.
Austin
Yes this trip was a random one but it just made me realize again how blessed I am to have the friends I do and also the ability to easily make new ones! What can I say.... I just love life!
Landon

The "Wicked" Dream Fulfilled!

2009-05-13T11:34:00.005-06:00

I did it I finally got to see the famous play of Wicked and let me tell you it was better than I could have imagined! After Cierra's lacrosse game my Mom, Cierra, and I drove down to the Capital Theatre to witness this play turned magic! It really was an extrodanary event and one that has been long waited for. Ever since Cierra brought home the music for Wicked she has been a fan and her love for this musical inspired me. Before long the two of us knew all the words to all the songs and Cierra was filling me in on the plot and the characters of the play. When the choir in my grade got to go see it my Junior year I wondered for the thousandth time why I didn't do choir:) Then when our younger sister Haylie got to go see it in California with my Tante Esther the determination to see the magic increased.

So the dream in finally complete and I am so thankful to my Mom and Grandparents for the opportunity to see this "Wicked" musical!

The Lacrosse Star!

2009-05-13T11:13:00.009-06:00

Since being home I have got to see the growth of my little sisters in the many different talents they posses. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of all of the events that I have attended where these two no longer little girls were the stars. I do, however, have these from one of Cierra's lacrosse games.

Yes I do know that she is taller than me but I have known that for a long time. Cierra has always been taller than me in love, kindness, and faith. I truly have a huge example in my younger sister Cierra and I am so grateful that I can call her both my sister and my friend!

My Valley!

2009-04-24T11:05:00.004-06:00

I love the Valley where I have grown up. There is no better place, I feel, to live. In a way I live in everyone else's playground. People come from all over to ski the mountains, boat on the lake, hike in the hills, and camp in the woods. I live in Heaven and I have lived here with the people I love most!

Yes the drive to Wal-Mart is long and the ride on the bus to Weber High School was over an hour, but when you are so far away and yet so close to everything the extra drive is worth it. The Valley isn't just a area of land anymore to me. The Valley, my Valley, is home.

Things Are Definately Looking Up!!

2009-04-24T10:57:00.002-06:00

Thanks everyone for being so concerned about me! I really do appreciate it! Just to give you a follow up it turns out that if I become a Junior I will only need a 3.8 for my full ride. Since I am only three credits away from the 60 credits needed to be a Junior I am just going to take an online 3 credit class and everything will just work out. Life is truly amazing and I'm glad to be living it!

A Day That Wasn't So Amazing!

2009-04-20T11:46:00.006-06:00

I have been known to be a pretty upbeat and optimistic person! I love being happy and I see absolutely no point in being sad. Yes I agree we all have hard times, and not to down play those hard times, but I tend to want to always move on to better things. Well anyway Saturday was not a good day for me; I know I couldn't believe it either. It turned out alright with the finishing of my passport application. However, as soon as I left the house the trouble began. I was driving to the Post Office to get my license when out of nowhere there are lights behind me. Now those of you that know how I drive probably say I deserve a ticket but the worst part is I wasn't even in a hurry. I was just day dreaming about how nice it was to be home. Well the cop lights behind me were a rude awakening. The cop was a relatively nice guy and so he wrote my ticket down for only five mph over the speed limit. I'm not going to tell you how fast I was supposedly going so don't ask.

After turning in my passport application I went back home and left for my little sister's soccer game! This was definitely the high light of the day because I have a very talented little sister so watching her play was a treat. Also my Grandpa Brutsch, Cousin Gary, Uncle Ben, Aunt Lauren, and other cousins Cason and Lucy came to also watch. It was so much fun talking with my family as I have not seen many of them since Christmas. After that we went to lunch at my Grandpa's house where my step-Grandma Helen cooked us pizza, make us salad, and created this incredible dessert. At this point my ticket was forgotten and things were looking up.

Arriving home there was a letter from BYU-Idaho with my grades in it sitting on the counter. My Mom opened it up to show that I had gotten the much labored for 4.0 that I had been wanting. Oh course I was happy but then fate had another plan for me. At the bottom was my cumulative grade of a 3.893. In order to keep my full ride scholarship I needed a 3.9. I was heartbroken! .007 of a point away!:)

I left my house on the hope of finding something to do in North Ogden because I was sick of being mad at myself. Going to North Ogden without a plan was a bad idea. When I don't have a plan or am not busy with something it gives me time to think. When I have time to think I think about a certain special and amazing person in my life who is halfway across the world, literally. With these types of thoughts running through my head and old memories being remembered in my heart I began to cry. I swear anyone in the Wal-Mart parking lot would have thought something was terribly wrong with me.

After calling up my sister I finally settled down. For any of you who have sisters you will understand what I mean when I say that even though Lindsey couldn't exactly relate to I what I was going through she knew exactly what to say and what to do to make me realize how truly blessed I am!

I am thankful for bad days! I know that sounds crazy but bad days truly make you realize how lucky you are to have certain blessings in your life. They make you realize that when you feel alone there is always someone who can help. They make you realize that life is made to be happy and that when everything seems like it is falling apart there is always another day waiting around the corner!

I Love Bad Days!

I Was Amazed!

2009-04-17T11:05:00.003-06:00

I sometimes have a hard time with the talent shows that they have on television and the fame seeking individuals that go on. After watching this clip my mind was changed. Sometimes a person is just looking for a chance to share with the world what they can do and that is all they want. I love this song from Les Miserables and the voice of this 47 year old makes it magical. Please watch it! It will give you chills and hopefully teach you like it taught me that appearance isn't everything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PPlkOyaqaQ&feature=related

Happy Belated Birthday LINDSEY!

2009-04-15T15:32:00.004-06:00

I love my older sister so very much! I am so happy that she has been an incredibly important part in my life for the last 19 years! Happy 22nd birthday Linds and come visit soon!

Four Days!!!

2009-04-05T20:58:00.002-06:00

Four Days Left :l

Conference!

2009-04-05T20:47:00.003-06:00

There are no words to describe how wonderful conference was. Even the word "amazing" doesn't do it justice. I am so happy to be a member of a church with living prophets and apostles who receive revelation from a loving Father in Heaven. I love that our church teaches that families can be together forever and I know this is true. I am so thankful for the boy Joseph Smith who had the courage to stand by what he knew to be true no matter what type of persecution he was faced with! I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I am so thankful for the help it has given me personally in my life. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He suffered for my sins so that I may have a chance to live with Him and my Heavenly Father again. I am thankful to be alive and to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. I am so blessed to have the family that I do because the love we have for each other is beginning to be harder and harder to find. I love the temple and cannot wait to be able to go at least once a week again. I love this gospel and I know it is true.

My favorite quote from conference was:

"Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and become."

I love my Heavenly Father with all my heart and I know He loves me!! This gospel is true and I am so glad I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Some Talents Should Be Shared.....Key Word Some!

2009-04-04T18:45:00.006-06:00

I was blessed to room with some amazing girls this semester! They are incredibly talented and I have learned so much from them about life and the gospel. I will be so sad to be leaving them at the end of this week and cannot wait to room with them again in next winter.
I was lucky enough to get to come to college with my best friend Heidi Baker! A girl like this is hard to find. Heidi is so incredibly in tune with the Holy Ghost, she is the best listener, a fun person, and an amazing and I mean AMAZING singer. Heidi has recently picked up singing jazz and we were able to go to a jazz performance she had last night. Here is just a clip of her singing so you don't just have to take my word for how good she is.

These next two videos are what happens when girls get to much sugar! The second one is a little long and for all these videos you might want to turn you volume down. What can I say I have a loud voice!

The Best Job I Have Ever Had!

2009-04-04T18:25:00.011-06:00

Some people may feel sorry for me when I tell them I work on the Grounds Crew at BYU-Idaho. Well they don't understand what really happens on the Grounds Crew! I have loved my job up here these last two semesters and I am going to miss it a lot this summer. I have met some amazing, wonderful, fantastic people on this job and I hope the fun times and the memories will never be forgotten!

Jayme, Me, and Felipe in the Gator that only fits two people!

Don't tell anyone!

Fall Semester 2008
Felipe, Jayme, Heather, Norma(You will never meet a nicer person), Me, and Gary(My Cousin)

This is the morning crew (aka. The funnest guys in the world!)

Top: Thomas, Jeff, Brian

Bottom: Duncan

My incredible boss Greg! I don't know of anyone who could not love this man!

5 Days!

2009-04-04T18:23:00.002-06:00

5 days left!

Oh and I dyed my bangs blonde. Just kidding it's the sun!

Sorry We Missed Day 6!

2009-04-04T18:22:00.002-06:00

Six Days Left!

What NOT to do the Last Friday of the Semester.

2009-04-04T14:03:00.008-06:00

I had full intentions to get my final essay for my humanities class done early. I promise I did. Well my paper was due Friday and I was 11:30 at night on Thursday and I had just finished my introduction, yeah me! It was at this time that the wheels started turning in my roommate's head and before I knew it I had agreed to wake up tomorrow at 3:15am to go to breakfast in Idaho Falls at four AM!!! I know crazy huh? I figured I would be able to get my paper done in about an two hours and so I would get two hours of sleep before it was woken up to go to breakfast. Guess what? That didn't happen. By the time I put the last sentence on my paper and read through it a few times it was 3:10am! You guess it. I pulled an all-nighter!

Breakfast was amazing and really fun. There are some interesting at Denny's at four in the morning. Our motley crew that went on this exciting adventure was Vanessa, her cousin Riley, her boyfriend and Riley's cousin Ben, Jer, and me! It was a blast and I don't regret it at all. At least I didn't until we got home at six and I fell asleep right on the couch and didn't get up till 8:50. Now getting up at 8:50 might not seem that big of a deal but the problem was I had a class at nine. To make matters even worse my paper that I had been working on all night was due in that class. Getting ready at break-neck speed, printing off my paper, and hustling to class I still got there only a minute late. I was worried that I would regret the midnight adventure because it would be reflected in my paper's grade. I am excited to announce that I don't regret a thing as I scored very well on my final paper, another “yeah me” moment.

Yes we go to college to get an education and grow for the future, but we also go to college to make memories so that when we are in the future we can look back at the past and laugh!

One Week Left!

2009-04-02T21:38:00.002-06:00

Seven Days!

Just Being Bored!

2009-04-01T14:12:00.014-06:00

*DISCLAIMER: Any of these pictures cannot be used against those pictured in the court of law, humiliating moments, or everyday life*

The Count-Down Begins!

2009-04-01T14:01:00.000-06:00

8 DAYS!!!

Goal......COMPLETE!!!

2009-04-01T13:06:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone sorry I have been MIA once again, but with finals approaching my face is buried in books *cough cough.* Anyway for those of you that remember at the beginning of this year I made a goal for myself to run 25 5ks by the end of this semester. I am very proud to annouce that I did it!!! I really enjoy running now and I plan on keeping it up. We will see what my next goal in regards to exercise is going to be!

Welcome to BYU-ID!!!

2009-02-28T18:17:00.009-07:00

I love living in the North-West United States and through these pictures I hope you can see why. The changing of the seasons has always been something that I have enjoyed. I know I could live in places that only have two or three of the four seasons but I really would miss all four of them. These pictures were taken Thursday the 26th and Friday the 28th at the same time of the day. I love how unpredicablt the weather can really be and I am glad it is not me who is controlling it.

Thursday 26th

Friday 27th

Febuary Birthdays!

2009-02-23T22:02:00.005-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom and Haylie! I miss you both and hope your birthdays were wonderful! Thank you for being in my life and always loving me no matter what. There is no words to express my love for the two of you! I am thankful everyday that I am known as the daughter and sister of the two of you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Mom Feb. 14th!

Happy Birthday Haylie Feb 19th! She is now 14!! AH!

A Piece of an Aussie!

2009-02-23T21:54:00.002-07:00

So I know this post is late but I still wanted to share this with you all. For Valentine's Day Sean had talked to his sister Melissa and had her send me his jacket as my Valentine's present! I had wanted that jacket and had mentioned it in passing to Sean not thinking that he was really listening. He is a Marsden Gentleman though so I should of just known he had something up his sleeve.
I don't know if anyone can really understand what that jacket means to me. It isn't just a jacket, it is a memory. I memory in which I plan on never forgetting!

"Fear the Anger of the Women Who Cook!"

2009-02-23T00:14:00.009-07:00

Today my roommates and I were tidying up the kitchen when we smelt something like burning plastic. We checked the microwave, the heater, everything and we couldn't find the source of the smell. It wasn't until Riley opened the dishwasher that the mystery of the unpleasant odor was solved. Here is the result of our investigation.

A measuring cup had fallen down and landed on the wire that is used to heat the water! We had a huge laugh at this and soon started taking more pictures of our deformed measuring cup that Heidi still wanted to use!

But the fun does not stop there! Oh no no! We have a quote wall in are apartment where we place sticky notes that have dumb things that all of us roommates have said! Before we know it this measuring cup is stuck to the door with a label underneath it that reads: "Fear the Anger of the Women who cook." It was such a fun experience and one I hope I never forget.

You thought that you were done with this post didn't you! The excitement for the night does not end there. A while ago my roommates, me, Riley, and Ben (Riley's roommate) were all talking about Batman. Out of the blue Riley says "Christian Bale is a real piece of man." Yes this quote did get on our skicky note quote wall. Well this line got our interior decorator, Heidi, thinking and today she created a "Pieces of Man" wall with all the actors that our apartment finds attractive. Along with the name of the actor and his picture there was also a blurp (fun word) or who nominated him, who seconded is nomination, and in some cases who thirded the nomination. It was really fun and you may think we are silly but what is life if not to be lived!

Snowboarding at Kelly Canyon!!

2009-02-22T15:31:00.009-07:00

Last night was one of the funnest nights I have had in a while! My roommates Vanessa and Jer, Vanessa's cousin Riley, and me all went up to Kelly Canyon night skiing! I have only been night skiing once before but have spent all my life on some form of skis. Whether it be downhill skis, water skis, or cross-country skis I love to ski!

Well yesterday I decided that a new challenge was in order. We all went up to the resort and Riley and Vanessa taught me and Jer how to SNOWBOARD! I know mom I have gone over to the dark side:) It was really hard and I will never make fun of a snowboarder again. I spent about 75% of the time on my butt or on my face but after about four runs I really got the hang of it. I still can't get off the lift without falling so that is my goal next time we go up.

Although learning to board was fun, the best part of the evening for me was strapping back on my skis and gaining a little of my self-respect back as I raced Riley down the mountain. We raced twice and I beat him once but he claims that is only cause someone cut him off:) I love my skis and I love the experience of being outside in the snow and the softness (unless you fall really hard).

Another wonderful thing about yesterday was the fact that it was Sean's one month mark. I got a letter from him and it totally made my day! This month has seriously been the longest and shortest month of my life. I am so glad that he is in Australia and keeping a positive attitude everyday of his life! I am so happy my life is so wonderful and I couldn't ask for more!

After Snowboarding Hair

One Big Bowl Of Red Jello!

2009-02-11T22:50:00.003-07:00

So tonight has been very eventful in that I have had a ton of homework to do and I have no motivation:) I have completed half of my homework but the next half involves writing two papers, one for my Communications class and one for my Enviromental Stewardship class. AHH! Well instead of doing my homework I randomly made a big bowl of red jello and have began eating it. I know this is a very random post but I wanted you to either remember or experience what it is like to be in college and have more homework than you know what to do with!

Two Typical Day in the Life of Carly!

2009-01-22T19:12:00.003-07:00

Hey so I want to share two typical days of my life with you. I know this is random and a little weird but here it goes....

Monday:
6:45am-Wake-Up
7:30am- Leave for Book of Mormon Class
7:45am-8:45am- Book of Mormon: This is a really good class! The only problem is last semester I had an AMAZING Book of Mormon teacher and so this semester Book of Mormon isn't as fun.
9:00-10:00am- Heroic Journey: I like this class a lot because it is humanities and we are studying art right now! Yippee!
10:00-11:15am- Go back to the apartment and work on homework:) Ok I actually usually sleep!
11:30-12:30pm- Clogging Class!!!
1:00-4:00pm- Work: Which I love! My job on the Grounds Crew is so much fun!
4:30-5:30pm- Mass Media Class: Really intersting!
5:30-6:30pm- Attempt to do homework.
6:30-7:00pm- Eat Dinner!
7:00-8:00pm-FHE
8:00-1:00am-Do homework, usually go to the gym, and try to get to bed before 12!!

Thursday-
6:45-7:30am- Wake up!!!
7:45-8:45am-Communications 201! This is my favorite class! My teacher is so cute! She is this little ball of energy!
9:00-10:00am- Enviromental Stewardship: This is my science class and although I dislike science incredibly, I really enjoy this class.
10:30-12:00pm- Work!!
12:00-1:00pm-Lunch Break! I usually Sleep:)
1:00-4:45pm-Work!!
5:15-6:45pm-CIT class: Computer Information Technology. I like it ok but my teacher reminds me of the teacher on Ferris Bueller's Day Off!
6:45-7:15pm- Eat dinner!
7:15-12:00am- Homework! Homework! Homework!

So you now know my life! I enjoy being busy and I definately am!

What Are College Girls Suppose To Do?

2009-01-22T12:04:00.014-07:00

I love my roommates! If any of you ever have a chance to meet these sweet girls you will be blown away! I love them so much and am so thankful to them for all they do for me!

These last couple of weeks we have a bucket load of fun just hanging out with each other. So to prove that here are some pictures!

My roommates me and some of our other friends went to this LDS Comedy Improv! Kirby Heyborne, who is the guy in every LDS film every produced was there! It was all so much fun! If you ever have the chance to go, Do it!
The girls next door and my little angels! Sarah, Jenna, and Whitney!We all went to the Hot Springs!Heidi! It was so Hot in there that my camera lense steamed up! Vanessa!
We all went to lunch at this place called Soup! Salad! We loved the planters! I am on the Tomato, Vanessa is on the Carrot, Heidi is on the Celery, and Jer is on the Radish!
All of us plus Heidi's sister Hannah!
Aren't we pretty!
In our favorite place! Apartment 209!

My "Last" Date with Sean!

2009-01-22T11:50:00.009-07:00

Sean, as sweet as he is, wanted to go on one final date before he left on his mission and so we did! We had so much fun! We went to the temple, lunch, the movies, bowling, dinner, and home to visit his family. All in all I can definately say it was my best date I have been on! The best part was is that of all the things we did being able to go to the temple and have him baptise me was probably the most special!

First Game! Sean is the top score I am the bottom score! Yes I won by 20 pts!Second game! Once again I win! This time by 42 pts! For those of you who know about the bet me and Sean made that I required me to sing I'm a Little Tea Pot in Walmart, I think you will agree this makes up for that.

The famous Gutter-Ball! I do have to be fair though he did bowl really well!

On the way to the temple!

Sean and I!

The true Sean and I!

Sean's Farewell!

2009-01-22T11:34:00.010-07:00

So I know I have missed a ton of important postings, like Christmas and New Years, on my blog but I'm going to move forward and then I will come back to those. I promise:)

Sean's farewell was this last weekend. He did so wonderful and I was so happy that such a wonderful guy would love me! I was extremely special to see all the people who love and care for Sean there to support him. All I can say is that Sean's farewell could have not gone any better!

Sean and Margie

These are about a third of the shoes that were actually there!

Some of Sean's friends that were at his farewell.
All of the girls I had to fight to get Sean to notice me.

Left to Right: Lindsey, Me, Analise, Rylee, Melissa

Sean!

Sean and some of his cousins.

All of us with a cut out of Alex Grose, another really good friend, who is serving in South Korea!

Nick, Sean, and Casey

Catching Up!

2009-01-04T17:38:00.009-07:00

Sorry everyone that I have been MIA the last couple weeks. Here is some catch up pictures that I haven't yet posted.

This is what happens to you during finals week!

Jer on the table asleep and no this isn't fake. She really was completely asleep!

Sean, Vanessa, and I went and explored these old abandoned houses.

It was really fun but really creepy!

While we were at these abandoned houses another group of people came and we had a blast scaring them! Maybe not very nice but definately fun! :)

We Can't Miss Uncle David's Song!

2008-12-21T22:34:00.001-07:00

For those of you who have read my post from earlier this morning there is a part two that I was waiting to post until after a certain announcement was posted on Melissa Turney's blog. The announcement is that Sean's older sister Melissa and her husband Adam are having their first child and making Margie and Tim grandparents in the process! It is all very exciting!
Now getting to the reason for the interesting title of this post. After leaving my family party we, Sean and I, went to the Marsden Family party, aka Lesley's Famous Christmas Extravaganza! The drive there was definitely memorable as Sean was on the phone with one of his parents every seven minutes asking them to please stall the traditional talent show so that he wouldn't miss Uncle David's legendary songs. We got to Bountiful in one piece and were soon being entertained by talent upon talent. I can honestly say that Uncle David’s song was worth speeding for. Everyone did such a wonderful job! From little Rebecca on the piano and Mason on the maracas to Grandpa Alan singing beautifully, I was very impressed!
After the talent show the whole family, alone with many friends, broke into a chorus of “Wrong Song” where every individual picks a favorite Christmas song and sings it all at once. Happy Havoc rang through the cultural hall and I couldn’t stop laughing. This game ended and then with an entrance of Jingle Bells Santa came and it was such a joy to watch as children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren sat on the Big Man’s lap. Thanks to a thoughtful family I even got a present and gave Santa my Christmas wish.
Soon games broke out and the true Marsden flare shown through. I was so happy to be welcome so kindly into such a wonderful family. There was not a dull moment which makes sense because this is definitely not a dull family.

My Heritage and Christmas!

2008-12-21T11:05:00.004-07:00

I love my family so much and that also includes my extended family. The Brutsch's are such wonderful people, from Grandpa, Helen, and Grandma to little Lucy(still in Lauren's tummy) they are all Amazing! It was wonderful to get to see them all this Christmas. The party started with me introducing Sean to my family. My whole family did a wonderful job of making him feel welcome and Sean with his well mastered people skills just fit right in. Next we blessed the food and then started eating. The food was delicious and the family made it even better with laughter, talk and joking with Katherine about here new boyfriend:) Grandma Brutsch then sat down with the little kids and explained to them what the items we are familiar with around Christmas time really mean. It was a wonderful presentation and I hope a lasting tradition.
One of the things I love most about my family, and trust me there are a lot of things to love, is the pride we have in our hardworking heritage. My Grandparents were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the wonderful country of Switzerland when my Mom was around three to four years old. Because of this conversion they left Switzerland to come to the United States. Although they left Switzerland my family's Swiss blood is still strong in all of our veins. Christmas for us is filled with traditions because of this heritage. So at this very wonderful Christmas party all of us got in our cars and drove to a somewhat secluded pine tree to place our Polish:) candles on it and sing the familiar Christmas songs.
I love this tradition! Christmas is not Christmas in my family if this tradition does not take place. I am who I am because of my heritage and I am thankful for the traditions that remind me of that.

Dear Jenna!!!! Tag you are it!

2008-12-14T19:57:00.009-07:00

Jenna don't be alarmed!

Dear Jenna Marin!

I don't really know how to tell you this, but I dislike your eyelashes. I think I realized this when your dog humped my leg, outside your office and I saw you sit on my knee caps. I'm sure you're ashamed enough to understand that there is no solution to you being dumb. I'm returning your toe ring to you, but I'll keep the oil tank from your car as a memory. You should also know that I get sick when I think of your feet and thanks for the cocaine.

With tears of sadness,

Carly

NOW YOU, Pick a friend, any friend, choose the correct answers, and fill in the blanks in the message at the bottom. Tag them, See what they say. It's Funny!

1. What's the color of your shirt?
Blue – our romance is over
Red – our affair is over
White – I’m joining the Convent
Black – I dislike your eyelashes
Green – our socks don't match
Grey – you're a pervert
Yellow – I'm selling myself for candy
Pink – your nostrils are insulting
Brown – the mafia wants you
No shirt – you're mean
Other – I'm in love with your cat (purple!!!)

2. Which is your birth month?
January – that night you picked your nose
February – last year when you peed your pants
March – when your dwarf bit me
April – when I tripped on peanut butter
May – when I threw up in your sock drawer
June – when you punched me in the face
July – when you smacked my butt
August – when I saw the purple monkey
September – when you farted in the bathtub
October – when I quoted Forest Gump
November – when your dog humped my leg
December – when I finally changed my underwear

3. Which food do you prefer?
Tacos – in your apartment
Lasagna – in your car
Pasta – outside of your office
Hamburgers – under the bus
Salad – as you were eating
Kraft DinnerChicken – in your closet
Kebab – with Jean
ChrétienFish – in a clown suit
Sandwiches – at the Elton John concert
Pizza – at the mental hospital
Hot dog – under a street light
Other – with George Bush and Stephen Harper

4. What's the color of your socks?
Yellow – hit on
Red – insult
Black – ignore
Blue – knock out
Purple – pour syrup on
White – carve your initials into
Grey – pull the clothes off
Brown – put whipped cream on
Orange – castrate
Pink – pull the pants off of
Barefoot – sit on
Other – drive over

5. What's the color of your underwear?
Black – my boyfriend
White – my father
Grey – the Catholic Priest
Brown – your ‘My Little Pony’ collection
Purple – my corned beef hash
Red – my knee caps
Blue – my salt-beef bucket
Yellow – my illegitimate child in Ghana
Orange – my Blink 182 cd
Pink – the Montreal Canadian’s goalie
None – my prized statue of Michael Jackson in the nude
Other - the elephant in the corner

6. What do you prefer to watch on TV?
Scrubs – manO.C. – emotional
One Tree Hill – open
Heroes – frostbitten
Lost – high
House – sly
Simpsons – cowardly
The news – scarred
Idol – masochistic
Family Guy – senile
Top Model – middle-class
Other – ashamed

7. Your mood right now?
Happy – how awful you are
Sad – how boring you are
Bored – that Santa doesn't exist
Angry – that your smell makes me vomit
Depressed – that we’re related
Excited – that I may pee my pants
Nervous – the middle-east is planning their revenge on you
Worried – that your car sucks
Apathetic – that you need a sex-change
Ashamed – that I'm allergic to your earlobes
Cuddly – that I eat garbage
Silly – that there is no solution to you being dumb
Other – that your driving sucks

8. What's the color of your walls in your bedroom?
White/Beige – your toe ring
Yellow – your love letters to me
Red – your Elton John poster
Black – your pet rock
Blue – the couch cushions
Green – the pictures from Vegas
Orange – your false teeth
Brown – your nose hair clippers
Grey – our matching snoopy underwear
Purple – your New Kids on the Block blanket
Pink – the cut toenails
Other – your booger collection

9. The first letter of your first name?
A/B – your photo with the mustache drawn on it
C/D – the oil tank from your car
E/F – your neighbor's dog
G/H – my chastity belt
I/J – the results of that blood-sample
K/L – your left ear
M/N – your book of poetry
O/P – my common sense
Q/R – your mom
S/T – your collection of butterflies
U/V – your criminal record
W/X – your glass eye
Y/Z – your lock of hair

10. The last letter in your last name?
A/B – told my psychiatrist about the bruises
C/D – never will forget that night
E/F – always wanted to break your legs
G/H – hate your cooking
I/J – mocked you behind your back constantly
K/L – will tell the authorities that you did not steal that whale in the back yard
M/N – gave my confession today about the moose poaching
O/P – was interviewed about the car you stole
Q/R – always will remember the pep talks
S/T – get sick when I think of your feet
U/V – will try to forget that you broke my heart
W/X – haven’t showered in a month
Y/Z – am better off without you

11. What do you prefer to drink?
Soft drink – I’m off to lead a new life as a lemon
Coffee – I will haunt you when I’m incarnated as an
EskimoMilk – the apartment building is on fire
Water – thanks for the cocaine
Cider – I have a passionate interest for mice
Juice – you ruined my attempts at another world war and world domination
Mineral water – you should get that embarrassing rash checked
Hot Chocolate – your cucumber fetish is weird
Beer – I'm scratching my butt as you read this
Wine – our friendship is ruined
Hard Liquor – I love Oprah Winfrey
Other – you should stop picking your nose

12. To which country would you prefer to go on a vacation?
Thailand – Warm tingly sensations
Australia – Best of luck on the sex change
France – Love always
Spain – Go drown yourself
China – You make me sick
Germany – Please don’t hurt me
Japan – Go milk a cow
Greece – Your everlasting enemy
USA – Greetings to your frog Leonard
Egypt – Kiss my butt
England – With tears of sadness

NOW ITS YOUR TURN!

Dear (_YOUR FRIEND'S NAME_),

I don't really know how to tell you this, but (_1_). I think I realized it (_2_), (_3_) and I saw you (_4_) (_5_).I'm sure you're (_6_) enough to understand (_7_).I'm returning (_8_) to you, but I'll keep (_9_) as a memory.You should also know that I (_10_) and (_11_).

(_12_),
(_YOUR NAME_)

GOAL!!!

2008-12-10T00:06:00.002-07:00

I have a new goal! Many of you will think it is funny but I am sharing it with you because if I tell people then I will have more reason to do it. My new goal is......by the end of next semester.......to have run a total of 25 5Ks at the gym. If I do this that means I will have run a total of about 77.5 miles. I really want to be able to work up to a half marathon and this is going to be my first step.

YEAH TO EXERCISE!

Watch it!

2008-12-09T13:47:00.003-07:00

Everyone please watch this video. It was put together by students at BYU and it really reflects the joy that can be found around the world instead of the pain and hurt we are so accustom to seeing. The story behind this music video is also on the website and I encourage to you read it! Love you all and I hope you all have joy this Christmas.

www.joytoeveryone.com

I Never Knew Spaghetti Could Be This FUN!

2008-12-06T12:18:00.019-07:00

These wonderful pictures taken last night are the result of when college freshmen go through their first "White-Glove" cleaning check. We were all so sick of cleaning and had resulted to just lying around. I went to go organize my food shelf. I pulled out the spaghetti and before I knew it there were noodles all over the floor. What followed was a very competitive game of Pick-Up Sticks!

After about an hour of lying on our very dirty kitchen floor, we hadn't cleaned it yet, the winner of the game was crowned! The winner was...... Drum roll please......... Jeralyn(Jer) with 73 pieces of spaghetti, Vanessa took second with 61 pieces, and I gallantly took third with 60! I will never look at spaghetti again as just a type of pasta!!

My Little Women

2008-11-30T23:21:00.007-07:00

I know I have talked a lot about my family on this blog but there is no way to not talk about something that is so great! I am so blessed in this life to truly have my best friends be a part of my family! My sisters are my life! They know me better than anyone and I love them for it.
Those of you who know me and my sisters really well can understand what I mean when I say that we are truly the characters of Meg, Joe, Beth, and Amy found in the book Little Women. I don’t know if in the pre-earth life my sisters and I met Lousia May Alcott and she decided to write a book about us but these characters are in many cases a perfect match to the Hirst girls.
Lindsey is Meg! Meg is the perfect older sister. She is interested in just making everything run smoothly and making sure everyone gets along. She is the second mother of the home but doesn't use that privilege to boss her younger sisters around but more to comfort them. She seems to just love everyone and everyone loves her.
I am Joe! Joe is in a small way the rebellious one. She wants to experience life on her own but still likes to come home. She wants to aspire to something, but she never feels like she quite measures up to her own expectations. She also thrives in the shadow of goodness created by Meg but is also strong enough to make her own imprint on the world.
Cierra is Beth! What else can I say? Cierra is completely and totally Beth! Beth loves to be home and doesn't need others around her to be entertained. She loves doing her own thing and is fine if she is the only one doing it. She has a kind heart and is always concerned about the welfare of others. She likes it when everyone is home, not because she needs to have them with her, but because of the comfort and safety everyone home brings.
Haylie is Amy! Amy is the crazy little sister that Joe both adores and wants to knock some sense into. Amy is the most beautiful and most visual talents of all the sisters. She is the one whose goals are 1) to marry rich and 2) to fall in love. She instead 1) falls in love and 2) he is a rich man. Amy is the joy of the family.
I love my sisters and will never forget the memories that have been made with love through the years! I miss you so much girls!

My Taps

2008-11-20T22:52:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I auditioned for an advanced clogging class. Since I wanted to skip the two classes that you are suppose to take before the advanced class, beginning and intermediate, I had to go specifically to the professor, Brother Larsen, and show him "what I can do." I was really nervous for this audition and got to the Kirkham building a half an hour early. I practiced some of my more impressing stuff and at two o' clock I nervously knocked on the door to his office. We talked for a bit and my nerves started to quiet as I realized how nice he was. He asked me to show him a Canadian, I laced up my shoes and did the step that I proudly conquered at twelve, he was impressed. He told me that in this class we will be learning Doubly Doublies and Pull-Backs. He asked me if I knew what these were. Instead of answering I showed him and my self-esteem grew with his praising "Wow." He then went on to say that he thought I would be perfect for the class and in fact if I wouldn't mind being there to help him out with struggling students. I was so excited and promised I would. As a walked back to my apartment I was on cloud nine! There was no reason for me to be scared and I was now going to be able to continue doing something I loved and helping others to do the same!

Picture Catch Up!!

2008-11-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here are all the pictures that should have gone with all of my last posts!

Enjoy

WEBER HIGH ALUMNI!
My two, very tall, little sisters!

Jer's half birthday!

Cookie Dough Consumption!

The Four Real Angels of 209!

The Four Snow Angels of 209!

Snow!! I love Snow, Snow, Snow!

This is my amazingly cute pumpkin from Halloween!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN!!!!

2008-11-16T23:52:00.000-07:00

First off I figured out how to upload picture yipee!! Second, today was the most Amazing Guy in the worlds birthday. I know I have talked about him a lot but he is that wonderful!:) I am so glad that today Sean Timothy Marsden was born because my life would be a lot different without him! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sean!!! Thank you for being you and for treating me so good! Sleep well and Happy Birthday.

OnE yEaR aGo ToDaY!

2008-11-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

One year ago today I was in The Beauty and Beast play at Weber High School.
One year ago today I was faced with a big choice.
One year ago today I saw the Marsden family as they watched the play.
One year ago today I drove Sean home.
One year ago today I was kissed by my boyfriend.
One year ago today I made my friend Heidi deaf from screaming with excitement.
One year ago today I couldn't stop smiling and,
To this day..... I haven't stopped!

The Best Gift

2008-11-15T18:04:00.000-07:00

I am so horrible at keeping up on this blog, I am so sorry! So my birthday was on the eighth of November and it was wonderful. My roommate’s half birthday is November sixth and since we won't be in college for her real birthday, May sixth, we celebrated her half. This birthday celebration included cake, ice cream, and mass consumption of cookie dough. So basically it was a girl's dreams come true!
On Friday I was given the best gift ever. Sean gave me a trip home to see my family. There was nothing else that he could have given me that would have meant that much. I had talked to him over and over about how much I missed my family and to prove how different Sean is from other boys, he actually listened. It was just me and him on the ride home and we passed it playing all types of games, which I won, and talking about ourselves. Now I have known Sean for a long time and it was so wonderful to hear more about everything about him and his life. Margie if you read this I just want you to know that your son thinks the world of you!
After three and a half hours I was home. I walked into my house heard my Mom's voice and the instantly the waterworks started. Two of my three best friends rushed me and I was in the biggest hug with my two, not so little any more, sisters. I swear they each grew a foot and I am now officially the shortest person in my family. I next hugged my Mom and we were both in tears with me apologizing for crying and her telling me that she was glad that I still liked coming home. I looked up to see my hero looking at me. I walked up to my Dad and gave him a hug missing the smell that seems to always be on his clothes.
Everything else that weekend passed in a blur. I saw the much missed friends and caught up on who was dating who. I also went to Tyson Price's farewell and it was wonderful to see the legendary Jared Zemcik once again. The ride to my home away from home was again wonderful. When I walked in the door no one was home but with my room all decorated, a letter from Alex, and flowers from my cousins it was like walking in to comfort.
It is true what they say! You never miss something until you lose it. Now I haven't lost my family, but my sisters are no longer in the next room, my Dad is not outside, and my Mom isn't checking on me. I miss it I really truly do! Thank you so much Mom for putting up with me all those years. I have never not know that I was loved by you, but last weekend I truly felt and began to understand the love that only a Mother can have for her child. I Love You Mom and the rest of the family, and Lindsey... you had better be home before me when I go home for Thanksgiving because being home without you there is getting really hard. I love you all and will forever be grateful that the Lord felt the need to place me with such an amazing family.

It's SNOWING

2008-11-05T00:15:00.000-07:00

We had our first official snow fall up here today!! It was wonderful! I love the snow so much. There is just something about snow that makes you realize that there has to be something more than this life. It is like a little gift from God letting us know that He is aware of us and just want to make sure we know that He is thinking of us. Once again as soon as I figure out how to post pictures I will send you all the fun pictures my roommates and I took! I love you all and remember that we all have a loving Heavenly Father who wants us to come back to his loving arms more than anything!

Happiness resides not in posessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.

---Democritus

Championship Soccer Game!

2008-11-03T22:41:00.000-07:00

After many weeks of practice, hard work, and educating people that no, you cannot pick up the soccer ball with your hands, my team actually made it to the Championship Soccer Game for our league. It was a game filled with very close goals, penalty shots, and learning that half of our competitors were from Bulgaria. At the end of the first half the score was 0-0 and things were looking interesting. Well it so happened that one of our players got fouled in the opposing team’s penalty box and we were awarded a direct kick. For those of you not aware of the soccer lingo a direct kick, also known as a penalty kick or PK, means that an individual goes one on one with the goalie. Our team picked our best forward to take the shot. Sean Marsden stepped up to the ball, concentrating hard on the opportunity given him and realizing that this shot might just be the one chance his team had to win the gameJ He slowly sized up the goalie, took aim, and let the ball fly. There was nothing the goalie could do. The ball was in and we were up 1-0. Of course within a couple of minutes our goalie got a call for elbowing one of the other team’s player while they both went for the ball. Yeah I think that was a dumb call too. Once again for those of you who don't quite understand, calling a foul on the goalie is like calling a foul on the quarterback, it just doesn’t happen. The other team took their direct kick and made it. So the game ended 1-1 and you can't end a championship soccer game with a tie. The game went to s shoot out and we didn't score any of our five shots and they scored three so they automatically won. Some people would say, “You didn't win? Well that's sad.”All I can say to that is this season was one of the most fun-filled seasons of my life!!

2008-11-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone remeber there is a 24 hour fast tomorrow, November 3rd, for the passing of Proposition 8. Everyone please fast if you can and keep those people who will be voting in California in your prayers. "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God" and "the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children." Pray for yourself, for those you do not know, for you children, and the Church, because Proposition 8 will affect us all.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-02T00:20:00.000-06:00

****Before I even start writing I'm sending out a disclaimer that because of procrastination this message is going to be very very long!****
I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween! I am not a big fan of Halloween, I know sad. I love all the haunted houses and everyone getting all dressed up but Halloween just loses some of its charm when I no longer have to hike up the hill by my house so I can "earn" the candy that I will receive from my ever generous neighbors. I wasn't very excited for Halloween this year and thought it would be a drag, oh man was I wrong. I have never milked a holiday so much. I swear I celebrated Halloween all week.
It first started on Wednesday going to The Haunted Mill with me and my roommates. We all took dates and I was lucky enough to get the best looking and nicest guy of the bunch, Sean Marsden. The haunted house was extremely terrifying! I don't like to be scared and so it was wonderful to have Sean there. Between having a dance battle with a goblin and pulling a "that's what she said" through all the scary parts Sean got both me and my wonderful roommate Heidi through the mill safely. After The Haunted Mill all of us went to my dorm lounge and watched this movie called The Cave. It was pretty good except Sean called the movie half way through. I hate, and love, when he does that. The actual Halloween day was really fun for me. Now others may think that carving pumpkins the day of Halloween is lame and pointless but to me, who loves carving pumpkins and hasn't got to for a really long time, it was a dream come true. Sean, Jordan Thorpe (Sean's roommate) and me all carved pumpkins, and although Sean will argue I definitely think mine was the best. When I figure out how to posts pictures I will show you guys them and let you be the true judge.
After I got Sean and Jordan home after a very intense night of knifes and pumpkin guts the real fun began. Here in Perkins Dorms my roommates and I have really connected with two other apartments of girls because of this we decide to have a girl’s night in our dorm. Now, you have not experienced college until you fit nine girls into the living room of a dorm. This is something I will never forget. We stayed up late watching What Happens in Vegas and Twenty-Seven Dresses. All in all it was a wonderful night.
Now here is a question. Why should Halloween end with Halloween?:) After waking up to go to Sean’s soccer game, which he won! GO HAWKS! My roommates came up with a plan to rent a scary movie and go to a field to watch it. Well Sean is at this point basically considered one of the roommates so it was automatic that he would be coming. Soon Heidi also had a guy friend named Andrew coming and we were all at Hollywood Video searching for the perfect movie. We were looking for what felt like hours until Sean started turning each move over and reading the back. He finally picked one up called Cry Wolf and said “Guys we have to watch this one it looks good!” Well no one can argue with Sean when he says something is good and we didn’t need to because it did look good. We rented it and headed out into the recently harvested potato fields of Rexburg, Idaho.
After getting most of the dirt from the field we hiked through in our shoes, we spread out our blankets and began to watch. We were about ten minutes into the movie when low and behold it started to rain. Go figure! We hurried and ran to the cars, getting even more dirt in our shoes, and all six of us cramped into my Silver Chevy Cavalier. We got about three fourths of the way through the movie when it was time for curfew so we booked it home. In my opinion there is no possible way to start a scary movie and not end it that night so me and my girls finished watching it. That is where the story of my Halloween week ends because at this moment all my roommates are sleepily making it to their beds to dream of Cry Wolf and the victims of the movie. Goodnight all and don't forget to set your clocks back for day light savings!

Nerves, engagement rings, and college life

2008-10-27T01:22:00.000-06:00

I'm a little nervous. This is my first attempt at a blog and hopefully I do everything right. I'm still trying to work out the little kinks but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Now I better make something clear before my family starts calling me and asking questions. I am not engaged, in fact no one I know is. However, my roommates, me, and the girls in both 208 and 207 thought we were going to die when Whitney came back from Utah with a ring on her left hand. The questions came out faster than any boy could comprehend. Of course we were all girls so we all understood everything that was being said. Soon the whole story came out. Whitney went down to Utah and met a friend of about five years down there. They didn't have anything really to do and so they went to the Provo temple. Anyway while they were walking around they somehow, I don't know all the details, wound up on a bench together. He pulled out the ring and asked her.......if she would wait for him on his mission!!! Only in Utah folks, only in Utah. She said yes and is now proudly wearing a very beautiful ring. So that just gives you a little taste of what life is like at college. I hope eveyone is doing well and as soon as I figure out how to post pictures I let everyone see how life at college really is! Goodnight to all and I love you!