Thursday, May 31, 2012

Bad Decisions

Yesterday I made the worst decision of my life. I participated in a food fight. I thought it sounded fun, but I was oh so wrong. I should have realized that if I can't do the dishes without gagging I surely couldn't survive a food fight. Natalie and I set out armed with yogurt and pizza sauce. We returned covered in BBQ sauce, mustard, oatmeal, sardines, spam, sour cream, and a bunch of mystery items. We reeked so badly that our roommates had to air out the apartment. It was too much for my stomach to handle... Never again.

And this was after we hosed off... So sad.

California Dreamin'

An extra long weekend for Memorial Day? I think yes! In Southern California? How could I refuse?Basically this weekend was amazing. No one understood why we came back to Provo. I mean I guess we should make money, but really why couldn't we just lounge on the beach all day every day? So maybe (if I haven't bored you already) you want to know why this weekend was amazing... Well I'll tell you!

Day 1 (Thursday): Drive Numero Uno
Six of us Provo kids drove down to California. I rode in a car with Kevin and Andrew (aka Kevindrew). We had a lot of fun together. Andrew read The Hunger Games out loud, Kevin and I learned a lot about Andrew's taste in literature (supple leather...), and we had long talks about dating. Upon arriving in Yucaipa Natalie's mom greeted us with freshly baked cookies and sloppy joes. That is what I call rolling out the welcome mat!

They put up with me for nine hours! Unbelievable!

Day 2 (Friday): Disneyland :)
I LOVE DISNEYLAND!!! I can't say that enough. The first time I went with my family was the best week of my life. There is just something about that place. It is beautiful and magical. You just can't help, but be happy. Andrew commented saying, "Wow! Disneyland really does have an effect on Katie!" Yes, yes it does. Even though we only got to spend a day there I was completely, blissfully, wonderfully content with life. We started the day out in California Adventure. It was a ton of fun. For some reason the Hollywood Tower of Terror really freaked me out this time. Last time I thought it wasn't worth the hype, but this time I was quite shaken... After lunch we headed over to Disneyland and I became the happiest person on earth. It was really crowded because of Memorial Day, but it was still a blast. I got to ride Pirates which is my favorite ride ever. It is just so well done! Some day I will eat in the Blue Bayou! This time on Splash Mountain I got completely soaked. There was literally no part of me that wasn't wet. The only problem was that it was night and I never really dried. We road it at 6 and got home after midnight and I was still wet!! The best part of the whole was World of Color. Originally I didn't want to go. I thought (well actually screamed...), "Why are we here? To go on the rides!" However, Natalie convinced me and I am so glad she did. It was so incredible. It is a giant water/light/color show. They project videos onto the water. The whole thing was just so moving, romantic, and adorable. I am so glad I got to see it. Overall the best day in a long time!!!

Soaked!

The Awesome Group

Someday our princes(esses) will come.

So happy!

I thought the picture had already been taken...

I love this girl that made it all possible!

Las Chicas

Flynn had already gone to bed :( But I walked where he walked!

Ready for our intergalactic adventure!

Friends!

Pinterest wedding album?

Umbrella hats!

Day 3 (Saturday): Sand, Sun, and Sea
On Saturday Natatat had a wedding to attend and the rest of went to Huntington Beach. It was a perfect day. We played in the ocean, watched street performers, ate gelato, and laid out in the sun. It was a great way to recover from the exhausting awesomeness of Disneyland. I really enjoyed being at the ocean. Utah is just so land locked and it was nice to get away.

Stunning

8 eyes?

Gah! The beauty!

I LOVE GELATO!

Il grupo on the pier.

He had just come out of the bathroom and he still looks this good... It's ridiculous. 

Day 3 (Sunday): Rest
This was quite the relaxing day. We went to Natalie's home ward. It made me SO glad that all of my guy friends are 23ish. I had forgotten how ridiculous boys my age are. After church we had a barbeque and ice cream party. Then we went and met Natalie's adopted grandparents. They are hilarious! They joked around with us the whole time. We ended the night star gazing on top of a hill. Perferct!

Epic light photo from that night.


Day 4 (Monday): Homeward Bound
We left California :( What were we thinking?

The Screamin' Chicken. Our meeting place on route 66.

Sketchy or awesome?



Sunday, May 20, 2012

Bucket List: Sand, Boys, a Little Smoke, and a Lot of Chlorine

The last week has been full of bucket listing (yeah, it's a verb now). Sadly no pictures were taken, but I shall commence my written report.

Sand: 
We have all successfully played volleyball. I played in the sand and I'm pretty sure that there was sand all over my body for quite a long time afterwards. I had a lot of fun. I haven't really played volleyball since my stint on our ill-fated young women's team. I had forgotten how enjoyable it was. However, I had also forgotten how much it hurts your forearms.

Boys: 
Well we did it! My entire apartment manned up and asked boys on a giant group date. It was probably one of the scariest things I have ever done. Something about stepping out of my societally assigned role was just terrifying. Although, I will say that I have gained so much respect for guys. I do not know how they are able to ask girls out over and over again. At first you're scared that the person will say no, and then you realize that even if they say yes they could just be doing it to be polite! I often complain about girls' inactive role in dating, but now I am so glad I am not a guy.

However, the date went really well. Originally it was just going to be the six of us gals and our dates, but by the time the date rolled around there were 18 people on the date! The plan was to play games, have a picnic, have a bonfire, and make peach cobbler. And I guess that was what happened... but lets just say there were a few mishaps along the way. First we realized that we forgot a can opener. Luckily, one of the guys went all cavemen and became a human can opener. Then we realized that there was no butter for our cobbler (never put guys in charge of getting supplies). The peach cobbler took forever and a day to cook. So while it cooked we went for a walk. On this walk we were told not to exceed a speed of 3 mph and were warned of the illegality of trespassing dogs. Just remember trespassing humans are ok! Finally the peach cobbler was all cooked. Then we realized that we did not have enough forks. So basically we all went a little savage and dug in with our fingers or faces, whichever was our preferred utensil. All in all it was a fun experience that I will definitely remember for a long while.

A Little (ok, a lot of) Smoke:
When we said we wanted to have a bonfire I don't think we realized that we would be having at least one a week. Luckily, I love bonfires, they are so summery and they just bring me so much comfort.

A Lot of Chlorine:
We put swimming on the bucket list and let me tell we have definitely been able to cross it off. Over the last week I have gone swimming or hot tubbing at least every other day.  It has been a ton of fun. I love the water and I love that his been warm enough to be to be in it. The only problem is that my hair really holds on to smells, for like a week... So between all of this swimming and bonfiring I now smell like a pool set on fire or a fire put out with chlorinated water, take your pick.

I love summer and can't wait to continue finishing our bucket list!!!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day: A Tribute

This Mother's Day actually fills me with guilt. It is my first one away from home and I totally forgot to send my mom a card (there will one arriving late, I promise)! So in light of my failure to express my gratitude in a private card I thought I would do so on my public blog. I love my mom! She is great and inspiring. She has taught me so much and done so much for me. So here is a list of the reasons I love her (these are just a few of the many):

1) She's my biggest fan. From my spectacular play in softball when I was in 4th grade to my high school orchestra concerts to acing a test in college my mom has always been there to cheer me on. She alway's sees the best in me even when I don't.


2) Her relationship with my father. My parents have one of the best relationships I have ever seen. They always take time for each other and they are not afraid to let their kids see how in love they are. Their relationship is what I want in my life. My mother's devotion to my father is something I aspire to have.


3) She is willing to work hard for her children. My mom has worked hard both for pay and as a volunteer mother. Raising four kids must be tough, but I have never heard her complain. Now she works at a job that really challenges her emotionally. I know that she does this because she loves us and wants us to have all of the best things.

4) She is fun. My mom is a happy person. She likes to do fun things as a family. Many of my fondest memories are of those fun times. Like our trip to disneyland, random game nights, and slightly scandalous shopping trips to Fred Meyer's with her sister (Mom, remember Holly's special wallet?). She loves to laugh and smile and she does so easily.


I love you mom! Have a great day!

I know it's mother's day, but I think it is appropriate to honor my grandmas as well.

Grandma Nielsen: It's been nine years since she passed away. She has had such a profound impact on my life. She is the reason I like the movies I do, the reason I love reading, and the reason I love lemon yoplait yogurt. I will always remember loving her pink toilet paper, playing cat's cradle, and having tea party's. I miss her, but I know that she is in a better place and that I will one day be reunited with her. I love you Grandma Nadeane!

Grandma Francom: She is one of the most giving people I know. She always gives the best Christmas/Birthday presents. She is also very giving with her time. Best of all she is giving with here talents. My grandma is an incredible cook. She is always willing to make more than enough of whatever food we want.  I love you Grandma Mary!


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Bucket List: Shooting

So I am going to try and do a post for everything that we do on our bucket list. Today we went shooting! I love shooting. It's probably something about feeling powerful and threatening when I am normally so small and puny. Last time I went shooting it was with a revolver and I was actually a pretty darn good shot. This time, however, my abilities did not manifest themselves... I don't think any soda cans will be quivering at the pull of my trigger. However, it was still a ton of fun. Two of my roommates had never been and it was awesome to see how much they liked it.


P.S. Have you ever had one girl steal all the guys you like? It kind of sucks. But, alas, one day I will be victorious!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Bucket List

So it looks like I will probably be staying in Utah for the entire summer. In honor of my extended stay my roommates and I have created a bucket list for our summer. I am posting it here to hold us accountable to the world. It's kind of long, but super duper awesome.

So here it goes. Our Spring/Summer 2012 Bucket List:

  • Hike: Stewart Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Timpanogos Caves, Y Mountain, Mt. Nebo, Mt. Timpanogos
  • Float the Provo River
  • Eat at the Awful Waffle
  • Go to Bear Lake
  • Go swimming
  • Go to Seven Peaks
  • Have breakfast with another apartment
  • Go Classic Skating
  • Go to Vegas
  • Karaoke
  • Eat at Guru's
  • Have a picnic
  • Go shooting
  • Go on at least one date each (Is this one eve possible in our ward? There's like a bajillion girls for every one guy...)
  • Star gazing
  • Hospital Singing
  • Go to California/Disneyland
  • Go to Heber....
  • Go on a motorcycle ride
  • Go to 2 different temples (Provo doesn't count)
  • Go to Park City
  • Play Volleyball
  • Ride a tandem bike
  • Fly a kite
  • Go to the hot springs
  • Launch Chad's potato gun
  • Go to a planetarium show
  • Ask boys on a giant group date (not sure how I feel about his one...)
  • Go to a movie in the park
  • Read through "Preach My Gospel"
  • Cook a meal together
  • Feed the ducks
  • Go mini-golfing
  • Go to the Rocket Summer concert
  • Light off fireworks
  • Launch floating lanterns
  • Go to a poetry reading
  • Finger paint (Krafting with Kevin?)
  • "Write" a children's book
  • Have a water balloon fight
  • Start a prank war
  • Watch the sun rise from the top of a mountain
  • Build a Fort
  • Set up a lemonade stand
  • Have a scavenger hunt
  • Have a bonfire
Ok. So that's a lot to do and so far all we've done is eat at the Awful Waffle and attempt to start a prank war.... But we still have 3.623 months. Some of these things are big and some are small, but they are all going to make this summer the coolest summer Provo has ever seen.