i'm actual

this week i was feeling down. so i decided to list the things i am good at. then i decided to share- with you readers. all five of you. because we are supposed to share our talents.

things i'm good at
-talking. fast and with unnecessary details.
-spending money i don't have.
-memorizing people's birthdays. you only wish you had this talent.
-watching more tv shows than a person should.
-driving and not getting tickets.
-sneezing.
-playing crash bandicoot on the playstation. any CB game on any from of a playstation. i'm that versatile.
-making sand octopuses.
-facebook/blog stalking.

and before you think i'm letting all of this get to my head, here is a list of my non-talents.

things i'm not good at
-anything athletic.
-eating healthy.
-cleaning and/or keeping anything clean.
-being on time.
-paying attention in geology.
-drawing. i made it to the art show in 2nd grade but it's been downhill since then.
-keeping in touch with people.
-being patient.
-losing.

oh look, here is a picture of me pretending to be athletic.

















don't be fooled. i promise i didn't even hit the ball.

and just so you don't think i'm lying, here is a picture of said octopus.

maybe. (probably) (but really)

maybe i have a really strong urge to get out of arizona and i get a little depressed when i realize i can't.

maybe it's still my lifelong dream to meet jc chasez.

maybe i wish jim halpert was a real person so i could marry him.

maybe i'm addicted to ruffles baked cheddar and sour cream chips and dr. pepper. and maybe that's how i make it through the tax season days sometimes.

maybe i wish i wore glasses.

maybe one of the things i'm worried about with tax season + full time school is that i won't have time to watch all of my tv shows. and maybe that makes me shallow and maybe i don't care.

maybe my room is a wreck and since i don't know where to start i just don't clean it.

maybe i want to start documenting my life with lots and lots of pictures.

maybe i think the reason my spanish teacher is awful at explaining things is because said teacher is a man.

maybe a hole ripped in the crotch of my favorite jeans and maybe i'm going to wear them anyway.

paper bag

i'm in a fake therapy class.
fake because therapy isn't a class.
fake because i'm with strangers.
fake because it's a writing class.

my english class this semester is "personal and exploratory writing." i've only been to one class so far. after we went through the syllabus and the rules, we sat in a circle and talked about the class touchstones. and the importance of not judging others. and trust. and not being offended.

and no, i'm not kidding. that whole part of it is going to take some getting used to. but i'm really excited for this class, and i can tell it will be my favorite this semester, without a doubt.
because i get to start writing. no research. no grammar worksheets. its almost a free for all. i'll get little prompts, but i can turn it into anything i want.

this is what i've been waiting for.

"peter used to say, 'the only thing an artist can do is describe his own face.'
you're doomed to being you.
this, he says, leaves us free to draw anything, since we're only drawing ourselves.
your handwriting. the way you walk. which china pattern you choose. it's all giving you away. everything you do shows your hand.
everything is a self-portrait.
everything is a diary.
...
because everything is important. every detail. we just don't know why yet."
-excerpt taken from chuck palahniuk's diary

hide and seek

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. california
2. harry potter 6
3. new room
4. new car
5. school
6. thursday
7. girls weekend in august
8. did i mention california?

8 things I did yesterday:
1. went to 4 missionary homecomings/open houses
2. planned my week
3. blogged about my wonderful father
4. slept
5. went to visit both sets of grandparents
6. finally got my itunes to work
7. gave my dad the best fathers day present
8. slept more

8 things I wish I could do:
1. spend the rest of the summer in california. or hawaii
2. cook
3. be better at saving money
4. draw/paint
5. anything athletic
6. move out
7. NOT waste so much time on blogger/facebook/twitter
8. lose 10-15lbs. magically. without diet or exercise.

8 Shows I watch:
1. the office
2. grey's anatomy
3. law & order/csi
4. biggest loser
5. american idol
6. america's next top model
7. jon & kate plus 8
8. what not to wear

8 favorite fruits:
1. strawberries
2. bananas
3. oranges
4. grapes
5. pineapple
6. cantaloupe
7. nectarines
8. raspberries

8 Places I'd Like to Travel
1. brazil
2. austrailia
3. russia
4. caribbean
5. paris
6. new york city
7. africa
8. asia

8 Places I've Lived
1. a
2. r
3. i
4. z
5. o
6. n
7. a
8. :)

8 People I Tag
1. lindsay
2. shannon morgan
3. tara cottam
4. natalee cordner
5. tara cordner
6. rachel foxcroft
7. tashina birch
8. carissa routsong

"Ain't Nothin' Gonna Break My Stride

Nobody gonna slow me down. Oh no, I got to keep on movin'"
Thank you Matthew Wilder for providing for me my theme song last week.

WELL. Lots of things to blog about.

First is my birthday! Last Tuesday I turned the ripe old age of 19. Which means next year I will be in my 20's. Ew. Since my birthday was on the American Idol finale, we decided to go to dinner on Wednesday instead (no worries, we DVR'd it and were able to catch up so we we're watching Arizona's version of live to find out who won). After American Idol I went to Mill Ave with Bethanie and Rachel and we just walked around. Since I was turning 19 on the 19th, we were going to take pictures with 19 random guys (stolen from Gilmore Girls), but quickly remembered that all the guys on Mill Ave are creepy and that it was sort of a lost cause. So we went into American Apparel and dressed up weird and took pictures of that. And we got ice cream :) We did get one picture with these 3 random guys, but only because they approached us. I can't remember why they came up to us but we asked for a picture and one of them looked at me and said, "uh, can I sign your butt?" Yes, seriously. I told him no, and then he asked if I would sign his. I said no again, so they settled for the picture. It made for a great story.

In case anyone forgot, I love Adam Lambert. Like really. He is amazing. So you all can imagine my reaction to Kris winning. Don't get me wrong, I like Kris and I'm starting to think it was better that he won so that Adam won't have to release that ridiculous "No Boundaries" as his first single (anyone else notice it was a little too high for both of them? and why can't they do a song that doesn't have the theme of 'I can do anything'), and so he will have a little more freedom with his debut album. But I am still bummed. Seriously, I could go on and on about this but I'll spare you. Congrats to Kris. Adam is still my favorite (really... I've found my new obsession).

My friend Bethanie graduated from Highland this year! Since the majority of my friends are younger than me (plus the fact that the ones my age moved away or are on missions) we decided to just pretend I was graduating. She was senior class president so she got to speak at Baccalaureate (by default, the student body president is an idiot and planned a senior prank that got a little out of hand, therefore forfeiting his speaking rights) AND at graduation and she did awesome both times! I went to her Baccalaureate, seminary graduation (which she sang at) and the graduation at Highland. I didn't go to my Baccalaureate last year and only stayed at seminary graduation long enough to get my diploma (certificate? do they call it a diploma just for seminary?) because Jeremy was leaving (that part coming later) so I was a little preoccupied. I was glad I went, it was all really cool. And of course it rained at the graduation. And we all sat through it. It made it kind of cool, but my hair + rain = weird wavy/curly mess that doesn't look good no matter how you fix it. It was fun though and it was fun to sit at the graduation and cheer for all my friends without having to worry about myself and walking/tripping, etc.






As mentioned before (kind of), Jeremy has been out for a YEAR! He is doing really well and was able to baptize a woman not too long ago. They have some investigators that he isn't sure are too promising, but something is better than nothing. It's crazy to me that its been a year and I keep thinking "oh sweet I'm half way done" and then I think "ugh, I have to do that all over again." But all is well :)

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

After many stressful days and taking two finals while having only slept two hours the night before, I am DONE with my first semester of college. I am free (for now). And this is how I feel about it:

Now, as soon as I finish putting together the 1800 mailers we're sending out at work, I'll really be able to enjoy my break :)

She Did It!!!

Today, Lindsay graduated from BYU-Hawaii. I am so proud of her for finishing school. It is a very exciting day for her as well as for the rest of my family. I wish I could have been there to see it. And now my parents only have 3 more to go (assuming the rest of us make it) ;). Who would have thought this little girl would have made it through college?!

Haha, just kidding :)


Congrants, Lins! You made it!!

Hear You Me

As if I didn't have a pile (LITERALLY) of homework to do.

I'm tired.
I'm stressed.
I'm overwhelmed.
I'm worried.
I am in much need of a break from school.
And I get headaches pretty much daily now.

But it doesn't even matter.
I will finish my homework tonight.
I will do good on my 2 tests this week.
I will make it through 1:30pm Wednesday when my 4 day weekend will officially start.
I will finish the slide show.
I will wake up happy tomorrow.

Thanks mom for finding this card. Even though you didn't have me in mind when you bought it, it still helped. And I laughed, which is always a plus.

This made me smile.
My mom, then me at about 3 and a half:
My dad tried to convince me that we don't look alike.
What's funny is if you look at her pictures from high school and compare them to me now, the resemblance is pretty much gone.



1. I am thankful for my mom. She has been super stressed lately but still manages to feed us. I think that is pretty awesome.

2. I am thankful for my ward.

3. I am thankful for warm clothing. Sweat pants, big jackets, socks, the whole deal. I don't even care that we don't really need them in good ol' Gilbert, AZ. I love it.

For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic

1. I am thankful that my chem teacher let me pick up my test and leave so I was able to make it to Natalee's reception.

2. I am thankful Lindsay is coming home in less than a month! I'm sad she won't be here for Thanksgiving.

3. I am thankful for my cell phone. I know that is a little funny but I left it at home today and I was so paranoid that the one day I forget it would be the day I would break down on the side of the road. Luckily, that didn't happen. I'm just glad I have one, it makes me feel safer.



AAAND, I'm going to Twilight tonight!!! I am excited, but am telling myself it is going to be awful. That way, if it really is, it will lessen my disappointment level. But if it's good, I will be pleasantly surprised :)

Walk On Me

SUNDAY:
Really, I don't remember. But, I was thankful for stuff. Promise.

YESTERDAY:
1. I am thankful that the day went by relatively quickly. Mondays are always my longest day of the week, but it wasn't so bad.

2. I am thankful Connor went on a walk with me :) He was so funny! There was a man that had turned the corner and started walking behind us (and it was dark) and Connor kept turning around to see if he was still there. Then he looks at me and says "ok, we need a signal" I asked what for and he said "like, ok, if that guy comes and puts a gun to you and I can't see it, just go like this [stomps foot on the ground 3 times] so that I'll know something is happening." He kept doing little things like that and "protecting" me. It was so funny. He is such a good brother.

3. I am thankful for DVR so I don't have to stay up until midnight to watch my shows.


TODAY:
1. I am thankful that I only have a month left of school this semester.

2. I am thankful for music. It keeps me sane. Seriously.

3. I am thankful that gas prices are going down. Even if it doesn't last, I'll take it for now.

White Horse

1. I am thankful I've been really busy lately, even if that means I'm stressed more often. It helps the time pass.

2. I am thankful to be out of high school! I was talking with a couple people about stuff that happened during that 4 year period. I definitely don't miss it.

3. I am thankful that I got to babysit these cute boys:(Braedan, Austin and Jordan. We were having issues getting the pictures taken; this is the best one I got.)

and that when I walked in Jordan went "CASSIE!!!!" and acted all excited to see me.
We were sitting watching a movie and Austin looked up at me and said "guess what?"
Me: "what?"
Austin: "guess what I'm going to be?"
Me: "what?"
Austin: "a dad"
Me: "oh, really?"
Austin: "yeah. because then I can go on dates with my mom and dad."
How cute is that? I love these boys!

Fearless

YESTERDAY:
1. I am thankful for how beautiful it is outside. I took a short walk and it felt so good.

2. I am thankful to not have school tomorrow so I can stay up a little later to watch my shows.

3. I am thankful for the good friends I have. I have quite a few different friends that I'm quite close with, despite the fact that I don't talk to them everyday. Sometimes we'll go a couple months without talking to each other but when we get together its like we were never apart. I love that.

TODAY:
1. I am thankful I get along so well with Connor. Since I got off work early today I got to hang out with him for a little bit. We weren't doing anything special, just watching tv, but we were laughing the whole time. It was fun.

2. I am so thankful for all veterans who have served and all soldiers currently serving for our country.

3. I am thankful for my education. School gets old pretty fast once a new semester starts, but I'm thankful I am able to continue my education out of high school.

Thanks, but no.

So I'm in my lab last week for chem and my teacher keeps looking at me. I try to pretend I don't find it weird, but also can't stop myself from occasionally checking to see if he is still looking. This went on for over half the lab before he FINALLY said "you look like someone." Okay...? So I asked "who?" and he said "I don't know her name." Ah, progress. I just thought he meant someone he knew, because I get that a lot. People always tell me they are related to someone or saw someone at church or in a class that looks like me. But then he said "she was a famous actress and she died in the 80's but I can't remember her name." Since I wasn't alive in the 80's, that did not help me.

He then proceeds to call over some of the older people in the class (not old, but those who were alive in the 80's. I'm pretty sure I'm the youngest one in the class) and asks them if they remember the name of the actress who fell off a boat and drowned and everyone thought her husband pushed her off the boat. They all say no and he says "well, doesn't she look like her" and points at me. So now everyone is staring at me. Yeah, that wasn't awkward. About 10 minutes later he finally figures out that her name is Natalie Wood.

Really, I don't see it. She was very pretty, but we look nothing alike. I've also been told I look like Audrey Hepburnand Kate Beckinsale
All compliments, but I do not look anything like any of these women.