Lost my mojo

So let's be honest, lately I have just been out of it and I cannot for the life of me figure out why! I just don't really feel like my self, have no desire to do anything, and mope around a lot. So I thought... "hmmm, maybe I'll blog about it!" So this is me, trying to regain my mojo. I think I am just real bad a separating everything in my life, once one thing goes wrong everything else seems terrible too. Let me think back to what my life has been like the past few months, well there is always school of course. However, I don't feel that stressed... I am doing just swell in all of my class. Ok next item, I got sick with... well let's just say a virus. It is a common virus and apparently A LOT of people at USU have it.. according to the doctor. Maybe that is why I have been so. blah. lately. But things were weird before then.. Alright, dating life. This one can be stressful. Stressful may not be the right word, more like frustrating. I like guys but they never seem to ask me out and the ones I only wanna be friends with want to take me out every day. Papa's great advice was, "think of dating in terms of probability, there is a ton more guys out there that you won't like than ones that you will. So it is just more likely that guys you do not like will ask you out!" Eureka! Thanks dad. haha  Perhaps that's why I have isolated myself and filled my schedule with homework, real work, and family time instead of parties, basketball games, and friend nights. Or perhaps none of those things matter. I just want to feel like I am accomplishing something ya know? Like I am doing things that REALLY matter in my life! Serving others, reading the scriptures, going to church, sharing the gospel... and loads more. This Christmas season that is what I am going to try to focus on. Do it with me! Ah... feeling better :) gotta love life!

Sometimes.

Sometimes you just need to give yourself some slack. Sometimes you are going to make a stupid decision. Sometimes you'll make the same mistake twice. Sometimes you won't get the grade you want. Sometimes life is hard and kicks you while your down. Sometimes you are lonely and wonder why. Sometimes things aren't fair.
BUT...
Sometimes life is fabulous. Sometimes everything works out as planned. Sometimes you'll catch a lucky break. Sometimes you'll feel like everyone in the world loves you. Sometimes your day will seem to be straight out of a movie. Sometimes you will see the true beauty of the world. Sometimes you just want to sing as loud as you can. Sometimes you can't help by smile.
All the times we need to say thank you for the hard times so we can notice the great times. 

Did you know?

Random thought but you don't have to read it if you don't wanna.... On youtube, when a video is loading you can press the arrow keys and instead of watching that circle go round and around it will let you play snake! try it out.

My new battle cry

For all you trash talkers out there, this video is for you. John and I were just messing around on the computer and he showed me this. I think it is SOOOO funny and it gets funnier every time I watch it.

GOT HEEEM! Great saying, try it out sometime.
Peace.

My little brother

 Tonight Logan High plays Mountain Crest in football! And I will be completely honest... I am so excited! Ok ok ok I am not living in high school still, even though I am going to be proud to represent my high school apparel at the game, I am there to support my amazing brother John. (His gold locks and all!) 

 He blocks, catches, and runs the ball! GO GO GO GO JOHN! 

And isn't he attractive???? look down.... oh goodness. hahahaha

 Yeesh he just amazes me! He is so nice, amazing at football, freakin smart, and the best little brother I could ask for!

Good luck Johnny. Love you

Smile, Breath in and out. You'll make it.

This week let's just say I have A LOT going on. I don't do too well when my mind is in overload mode.... So anywaysssss. I teach a microbiology lab every Monday. I love it. It is so much fun and really helps me learn what works in teaching and what doesn't. Well yesterday, I don't think I have been that flustered in a.. millennium, yeah that long. I was trying to 1. find all the cultures and materials my students would need 2. explain their labs to them, and 3. answer all the little questions. Those poor poor poor poor kids. I am pretty sure not a single one of them knew what was going on, and they need to 'cause their quiz is next week and I didn't even review. I was feeling terrible and just not happy at all. Then two boys in my lab came in from getting samples around campus and the place a snickers on the counter. They said, "Karen it's ok. Smile. Breath in and out. You'll make it." Nice right??? I may not have been totally normal and I definitely was still scatter brained but it helped :) Those little acts of service make a world of difference in my life!

Gotta remember.

I am a daughter of God and He loves me.

And then there was one

I started out the summer saying I was going to train for the Top of Utah MARATHON. Yup yup yup, a marathon. I was going to do it with my cousins and maybe my mom. Now, I think it is just gonna be me. :) As the summer has gone on I have trained my butt off. So many mornings my alarm would go off at seven and I would NOT wanna get up, but up I would get and run at least 5 miles. It is funny, as you start running your perspective on what is a long way to run totally changes. I now look at my training schedule (Made by Hal Higdon, he is a great guy even though I don't know him! He trains me for every race! Thank goodness for him.) sorry for that side note. But I look at my schedule and see 5 miles and say PHEW! Only 5 today, looks like I am set.

Now don't think I am some crazy runner cause my runs I go about a 10 minute mile pace and I bet ANY one of you could go with me. but ANYWAYS, I looked at my schedule last week and saw the dreaded 20 mile run looming in the near future, and boy was a dreading it! Well Erin and I accomplished that run today. We literally ran ALL over Bountiful. We went high and low, north and south, east and west. We got honked at by 3 cars full of the male gender (we were wishing we were wearing signs so we could inform them we were running 20 miles and that we don't ALWAYS look like old women when we run.) and then honked at once by a grumpy lady telling us to get off the road... She was probably just late for work, right? People aren't really that mean I hope.. ha Well we finished in three and a half hours and I feel FANTASTIC. I could have ran six more miles for sure. Bring it on Marathon!

One more long run to go and then it is the race day. I can do it. I can't wait for race day.......... My mom gave me this scripture today after my run. 1 corinthians 9:24. I may not get the real prize but finishing is a good enough prize for me! :)

Running is my getaway, try it.

P.S. Race day is Sept. 17. You are more than welcome to come cheer me on :) Just sayin.

Long Overdue...

Sorry!!
I have been MIA all summer, but sue me for living it up and having the summer of my life! Ok... not really but this summer has been so fun. I haven't done anything crazy cause I have been working a lot but I feel like I have two homes now, Logan and Bountiful. (P.S. I haven't taken too many pictures so this blog post is gonna be pretty wordy. You've been warned!)

When I decided to move down to Bountiful I thought that I would just work as a swim teacher and hang out with my cousins, Erin and Allison, every day. There as been lots of teaching going on and a little bit of hanging out with Erin and Allison (although I would love more Orange Leaf runs!) but I have been doing so many other things with amazing people!

Beginning of an unforgettable car ride!

First off, let me say I love YSA wards for many reasons. A. They help me enjoy church more because all of the talks and lessons are given by people my own age and they feel so much more applicable. B. With the new changes I was able to meet A TON of amazing people that live so close to me because they weren't all commuting to a U of U ward. Love it. Don't get me wrong I would still go to church even if it was with a bunch of hobbling old people with hearing problems but there is nothing wrong with meeting new young (even cute) people at church.


None as cute as this little man. He stole my heart this summer.

My sister Mindy bought her forever house with her family in an fantastic neighborhood. On her... MY (remember this is my second home now) street there are 6 houses with people my same age. They are all a blast to hang out with, whether we play volleyball, pool, eat frozen muddy buddies at midnight, or are just talking it is a guaranteed good time. But I don't need to leave to have a good time. Hanging out with Mindy and Jake is one of my favorite things about being down here!

Me with Chloe and Grace. I can't get enough of these two girls!

One of the houses by us is home to Amanda, Cam, Greg, and Amy. I didn't know them way well till about two weeks ago. We were in Lake Powell and we were camped in Slickrock Canyon. One day we were driving into our houseboat from a boat ride. We started cheering for a fellow boating family who just had two boys get up on surfboards. As we drove by I get a closer look and it was my friends from Bountiful, Chris and Jeff. I am like WAIT... I KNOW THEM! WHHHHHAAATTTT???? So I made my family turn around so I could go say hi. Those two came down with Amanda and Cam's family and they were camped right across the canyon from us. So that is how I met them and that trip led to banana rides, surfing, hikes, scripture study, and game night with an AMAZING family! I love them all. Too bad they all go to BYU. Guess I will be driving to Provo too. ha

Hiking with the neighbors

My summer has been a blast. I have camped (mainly just for the best car ride of my life with Erin!), boated, had pool parties, mountain biked, walks on the Boulevard with Tammi, and taught the CUTEST kids how to swim. Today one of my little girls gave me a drawing with note written on it. It said "Dear Karen, I love it when you teach me. I think you are my favorite. I love it when you teach me how to jump off the diving board and do monster arms -that's the front crawl if you didn't catch that ha..- Hugs and kisses, favorite teacher, I hope I have you again. Love Claire." Then she drew the cutest picture of us in the water. Man I have the best job.

Claire's drawing

Biking at Deer Valley.

I had a calling in my home stake as YAGL (Young Adult Group Leader) for LTC this year. That was the most amazing experience of my life and I will never forget it. In high school you take all the experiences like that for granted, I was basically spoon fed the spirit and didn't realize it. This time around you better believed I realized it and I have never been more grateful. All of the leaders are so inspired and put me with the perfect group. VIRTUE FOR LIFE. LTC helped me make new goals and helped me become a little bit better than I was before. Little by little is how we change and someday we will all become perfect.

Virtue!!

I turned 21, Yup that's right. Now I am adult and I don't have to go to McDonalds every time my friends wanna go somewhere that you need ID. (True story... almost. I actually ended up just walking around with Hot Cocoa) I wanted to get my ID checked so bad so on my birthday my friend and I tried but didn't get asked so we gave up and went to Nickle Mania instead. Good choice I'd say :)

Bowling for my 21'st. I won with a 152. WAHOOO

Well that is a BRIEF synopsis of my summer. Sorry I was a horrible blogger. I am committing myself right now to be better (for all my non existent readers... hahah) Now go live up the rest of summer!

The Start of Something New

Bountiful Utah. Settled by Perrigrin Sessions in 1847 was originally named Sessions' Settlement. In between Bountiful and Salt Lake City the first real hard surface road was laid and the Bountiful Cemetery is one of the most beautiful in the state. (I know kinda creepy, but hey I would rather have a pretty cemetery that one of the most beautiful dumps in the state like Moab has!) Now Bountiful is the home to.... me, Karen. It has been good to me so far.

I learned last time I moved out that one of my favorite things about moving out was buying my own cereal because I get to pick WHATEVER kind I want, and I don't care about the price, gotta live it up while you're young. I know what you are thinking right now, what were my first choices?? Well, it was Fiber ONE Honey Clusters, Oops! All Berries, and Blueberry Muffin tops... Yum yum yum!

(My cereals, pure joy)

Mindy, Jake, and Cash are awesome. They are always willing to let me chill with them when I have nothing else to do. They also are going through the painful process of looking for a car (because the spaceship died :(..) with me and I am so grateful that they are willing to do that! And I have to add Mindy knows me very well! We went to look at cars earlier this evening and as we were getting on the freeway I got a text from Erin telling me there was and institute class we should go to. I really wanted to go but I felt bad cause we were already on our way too look at cars. Mindy kept saying it was ok if I wanted to go and that I SHOULD go. So, we basically took a drive to Salt Lake, looked at a few cars and then drove back and dropped me off so I could go with Erin and Allison. I should have just said I wanted to go in the first place but I didn't and Mindy was still so nice and happy to let me go :) Thanks Mind. One more thing, today I was tending Cashy and he said "apple" and "pop"! Still working on "Karen" :) That little man is so smart and he is gonna start forming sentences in no time. Even though his baby talk is stinking cute I can't wait for him to start talking. (Maybe then he'll be able to understand when I tell him not to pull my hair... ha)

(The last picture of the Spaceship... tear)

And I am loving my ward I have been to it twice and met a bunch of new people. Yesterday I went to FHE and that was really fun. I love having the ward because I really have been feeling like a loser.. ha and the ward gives me something to do and a great place to be around people my age AND feel the spirit, can't get better. I have to keep reminding myself that I just moved and my life will start again I just have to give it time to develop and I have to give me time to meet new people.

Change is hard for me but I am happy I just did it. It'll be so good for me and I can't wait to see what the summer holds. Right now instead of focusing on the big changes that make me nervous, or how I don't know hardly anyone, I am focusing on the little things that make me happy, like what cereal to buy next :) hmmm... There's really no way of knowing.

Finals. ✓

YIPEE!

I did it! Finals week is over :) I have had quite the year and always knew it would end sometime but couldn't see the end or imagine how it would feel but... IT FEELS GREAT! Last semester I had a Physics final, Stats final, Ecology final, and Geology final. (It wasn't as traumatic as I am making it sound. ha I couldn't even remember what classes I had... I had to look it up!) This semester I had Physics 2, Genetics, and Microbiology. Let me just tell you it is a good thing I love this stuff or else my life would be miserable! (My family probably thinks I hate my life however 'cause when I get stressed I kinda shut down and get really quiet and grumpy... Sorry momma, johnny, and papa! I promise I love you!) Anyways, now that I am done I have so much time.... I have watched The Biggest Loser, American Idol, ate some good food, and just sat. Being lazy never felt so good! I am also so excited that school is over cause that means I get to move in with Mindy and Jake soon! They are so great for letting me stay at their house all summer :) Maybe this way I can get Cash to say my name.. uh huh. Welp that is all the random thoughts I have. tata for now!

Carrie Underwood w/ Vince Gill How Great thou Art - Standing Ovation!

This song is amazing. Easter is a great holiday, I love the Easter Bunny, Easter eggs, rolling them down Old Main, and doodling about Easter on my school notes. Above all this though I love going to church and talking about Christ and his resurrection and the wonderful gift he has given ALL us. This all is starting to mean so much more to me as I grow older, but that makes sense right? and I love listening to music like this also :) Just thought I'd share! Enjoy

A Change is in the air

I am so blessed to live in an area that has four whole seasons! So riddle me this, if I love all of the seasons so much (maybe fall a bit more... don't tell the others I try not
to pick favorites) how come I get a little sad when seasons decide to move on? I know why, it is BECAUSE....

I am gonna miss snowshoeing with mom


I will miss sledding


Christmas Trees


Cross Country Skiing


And the true reason for this post, downhill skiing, Beaver Mountain is officially closed :(


All of those things are so much fun, but I can't wait for hiking, biking, rafting, Lake Powell, and so many more fun things!


Bring it on warm weather!

Break in Spring

Its official, Karen did something for Spring Break, and it was so much fun! My friends and I planned a trip down to San Diego California and then Las Vegas. Our vehicle of choice was the Schmidt family Suburban.

This car is a trooper let me tell you! John drives this car every day down to Logan High and he being the sweet little brother he is let me and my friends borrow it for the week. The night before I left he comes up stairs and sits at the counter, all serious like, and he says, "Karen if you are going to take my car there are a few things I need to tell you. First, the breaks, they work but you need to press the pedal down REALLY far. Second, the steering, it's really loosey goosey so be careful ok? Third, the side mirrors do not move, they are stuck in the position they are in, so you have to move yourself to see out of them. Fourth, the back door doesn't open on one side so you just have to slide everything in from the other side. Fifth, the door behind the driver sometimes doesn't open. So what I do is press the unlock and lock button a few times and then it usually opens. Sixth, the defrost doesn't work most of the times. So if the window starts to fog you'll need to open the windows a little. And lastly, the gas gauge is broken... So you go by miles. In the city it can go 450 miles so keep and eye on that! You'll be ok though! Have fun." Yeah tell me that wouldn't make you nervous :) But don't you fret we made it all 1700 miles. Oh and we looked very classy rolling into Dan Siego in the purple suburban, fit right in too.
We did a whole bunch of fun things in Cali. We shopped, ate, had a bonfire, ate, caught some rays, ate, rode bikes, ate, played football, ate, saw the temple (SO PRETTY!), ate, and lots more but for your sake I'll stop :)

In Vegas we of course walked the strip, ate at the Cheesecake Factory, and shopped at H&M. Megan and I got lucky and we got to go to Phantom of the Opera one night! It was so amazing, I loved every second of it. Then with a bigger group of our friends we went and saw The Lion King Saturday night. We also attended both of the Aggie's games in the WAC tournament. WAC CHAMPS BABY!

You know it is hard to have a perfect trip and ours wasn't perfect. There was a little mix up in communication with one of my good friends and we struggled, had some hurt feelings, and got frustrated. However, we are friends no matter what so we talked it through and I just love her. Things happen and you just got to work through them. All and all it was a successful and trip and I had so much fun. I love all my friends and I love Spring Break!

Erin the Great

I have a beautiful cousin, her name is Erin.

I told Erin to show my love to her I was going to dedicate one of my posts to her :)
Erin loves everyone and everyone loves her! For example, just on Friday I saw her go up to a friend and she gave her a birthday card that she had been carrying it around for a few days just in case she saw her! How thoughtful eh? I sure thought so. Erin is also one of the best big sisters ever! She is always looking out for Allison and Abi, I know how much I love my big sister so much so I can guess how they feel.

Last of all I just look up to Erin so much! I am amazed at how smart she is and how hard she is always willing to work. She has so many qualities that I want to obtain some day. I am grateful she is my cousin because then she is forced to hang out with me and talk to me when she sees me :)

LOVE YOU ERIN!!

Yep... I caved!

So ladies and gentlemen I decided to get a blog! It is just what I need, another thing begging for my time! Which if fine right?? Oh well though because I am EXTREMELY good at rationalizing things. So I told myself, "This is totally fine because it is just like an online journal! And I am supposed to keep a journal right?? Yep Yep" Anyways.. here I am creating a blog. You are gonna have to cut me a little slack at the beginning while I get used to everything! But please don't you fret, I will be a pro in no time (I hope...) Peace out!