a recommendation

For those of you who haven't seen or heard of it, I highly recommend you check out the show Miss Guided. It airs on ABC at 7 & 7:30 on Thursday nights.

Pretty much all you need to know about the premise is that it's about a guidance counselor who works at a high school. It's cute, fun and has a quirky sense of style. It has the typical comedy format, but throws in documentary style talking heads with perfect comedic timing. It even has a romance that's very reminiscent of the Jim/Pam story, but this time it's the girl who's crushing. It takes a few episodes to really get into it and it's not one that'll make you beg for more, but it's definitely an entertaining watch. Plus, it beats about 70% of the shows that are out there.

i don't get it

What in the heck is up with these being everywhere now?

I'm sick of finding what I think is a super cute swimsuit only to realize it's one of these, yet again.

They've taken over the one-pieces. How could anyone think they're flattering? They're not.

Thank goodness for tankinis.

a sad, sad addiction.

It's a really sad day when watching American Idol is the highlight of my TV watching week.

Thanks a lot, Brooke.

But that's not all. As I thought about all of the shows I watch, I realized I'm a horrible person. It's because of people like me that all of those stupid reality shows stay on the air. I say I hate them, which I do, but I watch them. All of them. Heck, I'm pretty sure I'll watch the one where Paris finds a new bff (I know this because I've been to the website where you can vote for who gets on the show). I hold my head in shame.

These are basically the only shows that I watch lately, and you should see what I mean:

Oprah's Big Give (go ahead, make fun of me)

Here Come the Newlyweds (LOVE it)

American Idol. Both nights. All the way through. Even if it's DVR'ed

Plus more that I watch occasionally.

Some of my favorites of the past that I NEVER missed an episode of include America's Next Top Model cycle 7, The search for the next Pussycat Doll, So You Think You Can Dance season 3, Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann, American Idol season 3, Making the Band 3 seasons 1-3, Laguna Beach season 2, The Hills seasons 1-2, and there was a period where I was an avid watcher of the Game Show Network.

Why am I admitting these unforgiveable acts? I don't know. Maybe I can help some poor victim of this harsh world of reality TV. Just remember, you're not alone. Help is possible. Remedies may include watching shows such as The Office, Chuck, Prison Break and many others to make you realize the heiness-ness of reality TV.

One day I will be able to give it up. But for now, I'll just have to live with the burden of knowing I'm a reality-ite.

HIL-ARIOUS

To get the full effect you have to watch the whole thing.

It's in a different language, but that that won't stop you from understanding it.

Enjoy. I know I did.

it's a boy!!

My sister Melanie is having a little baby boy!!

I get to be an aunt finally!!

She's been trying for a long time, and ever since she finally got pregnant I've been impatiently waiting to find out if it'll be a boy or a girl, and I finally know!!

Time to go baby clothes shopping!

woot

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LIL' MISS RED!

Exactly one year ago today I adopted this little beauty, and we've both been very happy ever since.

In the year that I've had her, I've:

• put on 10578 miles
• gotten three oil changes
• washed her ~about~ 4 times
• cracked the windshield once
• gone on my first road trip WITHOUT an "adult"
• gotten in zero accidents
• gotten zero tickets
• jinxed myself twice
• and had immeasurable amounts of fun

So guess what I did to celebrate?? ...drumroll please...

I went sixty in a 45 mph zone!!

This is a big deal.

My middle name is basically Never-goes-more-than-5-over-EVER. There are two reasons for this, A) when I got my ticket awhile ago ~so not fair~ they told me I have to go 2 years without another ticket or else I'll have no choice but for it to go on my permanent record. The word permanent scares me. B) I've been driving illegally for the past year & was afraid I'd get sent to jail if I ever got pulled over. When I bought my baby I lost my registration somehow, and I never got proof of insurance. So I'm pretty sure they'd think I was driving a stolen car and send me STRAIGHT to jail no questions asked. But that's all changed now that it's that time again to order a new registration, so I feel like a free woman. Plus, the fact that it's almost been two years ticket free helps.

This is the start of something good

(don't you agree?)

Don't worry, I'm sure I won't be brave enough to go 60 again and I'll most likely just stick to hovering above 50, so you won't have to worry about one more crazy driver.

that's all. adios

P.S. happy st. patty's!

some introductions

Let me introduce you to my arch-nemesis....

And to his friend...

I'm trying to befriend them both, but they're making it extremely difficult

books

In an effort to make myself seem more intelligent (and to try to kick the habit of using the internet in all of my spare time) I checked out some books from the library today. I have to admit, the real reason I went there is because I was looking for a copy of the play Dear Ruth (which apparently no one has), but since they didn't have it I looked for some books. After an hour of looking through Top Picks lists and searching up and down book shelves, I ended up with three. I really have to be the world's worst chooser when it comes to absolutely anything, because anyone in their right mind would have just scanned the list, picked about 5, checked them all out, and then chosen which ones to read when home. But instead I had to read all of the summaries, think about whether or not it was "me" enough, look for it, read the back of the book, and then still not be sure if I should check it out. I'm sure I drove Cassie INSANE. Plus, a book has to be just right in order for me to be able to finish it. I'm very picky about how a story is worded, the grammar it uses, and how well the sentences flow. A lot of books are critically acclaimed for their innovative writing style, but I can't stand stuff like that. I need simple, easy to understand books with catchy & colorful covers. I'm basically equivalent to a fourth grader. The story can be complex (to a certain degree) but the sentence structure has to be easy to follow. Anyway, hopefully I found at least one book that will satisfy my needs and entertain me. Here are the ones I checked out:

This one has the most potential

We'll see how things go. Wish me luck!

*Note to self*

Under any circumstances, do not, and I repeat, do not think that you are going to be considered an old maid unless you get married in a maximum of one year. Even if all of your friends are getting married and you find out everyday that more and more people from your graduating class have gotten married. OR even if you find out that a lady who knows another lady who knows your mom wants to set you up with her nephew's friend's brother who's coming home from his mission soon. This is exaggerated, but very likely knowing my mom.

It seems like all I've been doing lately is going to bridal showers, receptions, more bridal showers, and more receptions. Today I went to my friend Michelle's bridal shower.

I have no idea what's going on with my hair in this picture and I basically look like a hobo. (hahahaha "Red, that oatmeal was for the hobos!!".....that 70's show....anyway....)

She's so awesome and I couldn't be happier, but I need to remind myself that it doesn't matter if I'm not married right away! I really don't wanna get married yet & I'm likin the single life, but still. I only have to start worrying when I'm 23. Anyway, enough of that.

I saw this survey somewhere and I thought it was cool, so here it is.

For every question you have to go to photobucket.com (or google if you prefer), type the answer into the search box, and use a picture from the first page.

1. What is your favorite flower?

2. What is your favorite sport?

3. What was for breakfast this morning?

4. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?

5.What is your favorite season?

6. Where would your dream vacation be?

7. What is your favorite Disney movie?

8. What is your favorite animal?

9. What is the last movie you went to?

10. What is your favorite guilty pleasure food item?

(you didn't think I could pick just one, did you??)

11. What is your birthstone?

12. What is your dream car?

(I don't even know what this is, but it's a Honda and it's an SUV so it works for me)

13. Which gas station do you go to the most often?

14. What is the last store you shopped at?

15. What was your high school's mascot?

If you liked it, do it.

headaches & stuff

Does anyone else get a metally feeling in your head sometimes when you have a headache? That's what I have. Kind of like that feeling when something comes out of nowhere and just bangs you on the head really hard. It happened once when I was trying to jump to the 5th bar on the monkey bars at Franklin. Oh, how I worshipped the monkey bars. I'd think about them all day long, and my hands were covered in blisters from them. No one had ever jumped to the 5th bar before, but one girl had attempted, missed, and hit the other platform with her mouth and her teeth cut straight through her lip. I just had to try it though, so I jumped as high and hard as I could, only to jump too high and smack my head on the first bar. So that's the feeling I have right now. And everytime I have it that memory comes to mind. I wish I could've had it on tape, because according to all of my friends it was the "funniest thing ever". Anyway, time to go to accounting.

life is amazing

Lately I've been soo incredibly grateful for everything I have in my life, and I've been so blessed with little spiritual experiences that have made such a difference. I don't claim to be perfect & I still spend too much time wishing for things I can't change, but overall life is awesome. I've been so excited for of the experiences that my future holds, and it's been such a blessing to have this happiness and excitement. I've really been happy about church and loving the new sunday school class I discovered because it's one that actually holds my attention the whole time (I know they all should but it's just not true).

I thought things were going great, but a few days ago I started having horrible feelings. I became irrationally afraid of everything for basically no good reason. I was completely terrified of things like my house burning down, a family member dying, losing my health, and basically of any trial that could come my way. I didn't want to read my scriptures before I went to bed and I didn't even care about getting homework done. I just wanted to sleep all day and wallow. I tried to sleep it off, but when I woke up the feeling was still there. I had no motivation to go to school, but when I got in the car the CD that I had in there started playing. The day before, Sunday, I had decided I wanted to start listening to church music during the car rides because it's something I usually don't do. When I remembered the CD, I first thought, "there's no way I'm listening to church music on my way to school. That's nerdy and I'm so not in the mood." But for some reason I wanted to see what song it was, so I let it play for a few seconds. The song that came on was exactly what I needed and the words applied so perfectly to what I was going through. I let the music keep playing, and the song after that was just as perfect. The CD I had was extremely scratched and almost every song skipped, but these two songs played perfectly. I'm not one to talk about spiritual things and it feels foreign to me to say things like "the spirit was so strong" and "the lord blessed me", but that's exactly what happened. I felt so loved, and the rest of the day was a really good one. I got my motivation back; even more than what I had before.

Then today was just as amazing. In every class I learned a lot more than I usually do. In accounting I was able to pay attention the whole time without zoning out at the end. In institute we talked about the second coming in pretty good detail, and things like that always make me think really deeply about life. Then, with that still on my mind, we finished watching a movie in sociology about people who are quadriplegic, or in other words who have broken their neck so they are basically paralyzed. Most of them became like this either in a bad accident, usually related to drunk driving, or had some sickness come upon them at a young age. I felt so bad for these people, but it was amazing to see how they had managed to continue living life. It also made me soo grateful for the body I have, and it made me want to take care of it the best that I can. I am NEVER going to drink. Not because "I'm Mormon" (that's such a cop out of an answer), but because I don't want to. It's disgusting, and it's sad that people have to lost their control to be able to have fun. "You booze you looze."

After sociology I had my logic class. I sit next to the same guy and girl every class, but I never really talk to them because they're always talking together. But today it was was just him, and for some reason he started talking to me. We talked about grades, what we were learning, and eventually about his philosophy 101 class he was taking. This then led to a pretty deep conversation about God, and I shared a lot of beliefs that I had. He believed in God too, but it was really cool to be able to talk about it with someone else who wasn't LDS. It was just a really good day.

I'm so grateful for the little moments I get that build my testimony and make me so happy to be LDS. I feel like Satan's out to get me because one moment I can have a wonderful feeling and then in 1 minute it's gone, but I know that I have the most powerful person on my side so no matter what it'll be ok. I'm learning how to measure exactly how big of a deal things really are in the long run, and I'm trying to be less of a drama queen. For example, if I sleep in and miss math I know I shouldn't freak out, yell, and be upset the whole day even if it keeps me from being able to turn in my homework, which is worth 10 points. I know that if it would have been better for me in the long run to be there, I would have woken up in time. These things are very hard for me, but I'm working on it. Faith is so simple, yet so hard, but so worth it. I wish you all happiness and comfort with whatever challenges you have in your lives. Life's tough, but just remember that you can have the strongest helmet, if you choose to.

"Wherever you live on this earth and whatever your life’s situation may be, I testify to you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has the divine power to lift you to great heights from what appears at times to be an unbearable burden or weakness." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

the peeves

For the sake of keeping my blog well-balanced, I think it's time for some ranting. I had a "trip down memory lane" post with the school memories, an "uplifting" post with the quotes, a "funny" post with the video, so it only makes sense that ranting comes next. (I also had another post but I deleted it because I didn't like it). My version of ranting is a list of "the peeves". Everyone has them. Here are mine.

1. Open cupboards & open shower curtains

Bad

Good

Bad

Good

2. Closed bathroom doors (unless of course someone's doing their business)

Bad

Good

3. Lights on in empty rooms

Bad

Good

4. When sun visors in the car are down when they're not needed.

Bad

Good

5. When class goes past the time we're supposed to leave, even if it's just a minute. For any class. This is very common & usually likely in institute and math.

6. When approaching a red light & there's no one ahead of me in my lane so I get to be the first one, or the lane I'm in has the shortest line, and then someone suddenly decides to hurry over into my lane, so I'm NOT first or my lane ISN'T the shortest anymore when I was already very happy thinking that I was going to be. It upsets me very much. This is especially irritating to me because I'm very OCD about having to be in the lane with the shortest line. I'll even go out of my way to make that happen.

7. Computer windows that are semi-minimized. If I accidentally close one that wasn't maximized I have to reopen it, maximize it, and then close it again.

Bad

Good

8. Wrappers (from hamburgers, burritos, subs, etc) that aren't scrunched up tightly into a ball when thrown away. I WILL reach into the garbage to scrunch it too.

9. Driving behind a truck with a person in the back. And the person is sitting so they're staring straight at you. And they're smiling at you. And they're not attractive. And you start to look away, and then realize that you can't because you're driving and don't want to die.

10. Hearing about the 1387284261725524th "Reality" show. I was the last person to jump on the hate wagon since I've always loved reality TV, but it's just plain ridiculous these days. I mean, are they serious? Do they really think making a show where Paris finds a new best friend or a dancers have to dance with their moms is good TV? It's gone past pathetic.

11. Rude people. This one's pretty much a given for everyone, but it's a big one of mine. I don't know how some people can be so judgmental & plain mean. There are a lot of immature people at ASU so I hear a lot of this stuff. It irritates me.

(This doesn't really apply but it came up when I googled "mean people" and I thought it was funny)

12. The four corner girls in my math class. This is what I hear for 10 minutes before class (since my teacher is always 10 minutes late)

(high pitched annoying laugh)

"Matt McCarthy is hot!"

"Eww he's like 45!"

"Well, I got like, a 68 in his class, it was so easy"

"Ya, & my parents like, weren't even happy that I got a C. If they didn't make me I soo wouldn't even try in school"

Shoot me in the face.