I'm dreaming of a [non]white Christmas.

I woke up this morning to about 2 feet of snow.  Usually I grumble a little because #1 It's snowing and #2 that means the snow plows come out around 6:30 AM to take care of things and it wakes me up.  But like the rest of Provo, it was unusually quiet this morning.  Which means no snow plows.  Which means klutz Michelle gets to half walk/half slide down the stairs to her car in snow that hasn't even been walked in (should've realized that boots>Vans in this weather) and then gets to be late to work because she miscalculated how behind the snow would make her.  No snow plows=snow.  Go figure.

Where I will be in 2 days:
{Santa Clarita, CA}
Thu

Partly Cloudy 56°/44° 
Fri
Partly Cloudy 61°/46°
Sat
Mostly Sunny 60°/45°
Sun
Partly Cloudy 58°/45°

Where I'm at today:
{Provo, UT}
Tues
Rain/Snow 31°, 100% precipitation

Hm.



So far, so good on not falling though...that's a feat all in itself!

Christmas is only 2 weeks away.

To celebrate, here's a beautiful story that I happened across while studying Anglo-Saxon poetry.
The Three Trees

finally, some truth

I have this issue with not being able to just sit and do nothing.  Even when I eat, I have to been reading/watching/talking to someone.  I was making dinner tonight (Mac 'N Cheese...oh, the life of a college student), and while the water was boiling, I was reading the WSJ.  Page after page of reading about suicide bombings in Pakistan and riots in my beloved London and reviews about President Obama (negative...), I came across an article by the famous movie critic, Roger Ebert called "Getting Real About Movie Ratings: Roger Ebert on why the only letters that should count at the multiplex are 'G', 'T', and 'A'".  I found myself agreeing with every single thing in that article.  I like Roger. 
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703766704576009343432436296.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
He discusses how the rating system is so messed up and the MPAA has gone downhill since the 1970s when it was first started.  For example, I was disappointed to hear that the new movie "The King's Speech" was rated R in America because I wanted to see it.  But then I found out that it's rated G in Quebec and 12A in the UK (which means you have to be accompanied by an adult if you're under 12).  I can just go across the border and not feel guilty about seeing this movie, right?  Well, the movie is still rated R in America for lots of F-words.  What does this mean?  That America's holier than thou? 
I don't think so, because he also talks about programs like Screenit.com and how it "tells you exactly what [the movie] contains".  For example, in "How to Train Your Dragon" (which I just adore), it's "rated PG for sequences of intense action and some scary images, and brief mild language."  Screenit.com reveals that it has lines like: "All hell is going to break loose in my undies" and "Thanks for the breast hat".  Adults will chuckle at this since it's older humor, so what will the kiddies do who look to their parents when they don't understand the adult humor?  They'll just chuckle along with them.  I have Disney movie Sunday nights with a friend of mine and we definitely pick up on things that we didn't when we were a child.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Disney and Pixar and Dreamworks.  They have made some fine motion pictures.  But for movies like "The King's Speech", I would like to be better informed on what I'm getting myself into.  What's a single letter going to tell me about a 1.5-2.5 hour film?  What's going to be fed to my brain that I will never be able to get rid of?  As Ebert put it, "At a time when literally any content can find its way into most American homes, what's the point of singling out theatrical films? It's time to admit we've lost our innocence."
So, yes, Roger, we should fix our rating system.  Or get a new one entirely different.  Or not leave it up to one company, who seems to try to be a crowd-pleaser.  Either way, it's terrifying that we have lost our innocence.

{If you haven't seen this movie, GO! DO IT NOW!}

cure for the common music drought.

...and just in time for finals!
I love music. I'm studying it at school. I've studied it for most of my life. I love to listen to it. I love concerts. I'm into all sorts of music.  I have pre-sets for classical, country, hip-hop, alternative, Christmas music on my car radio.  I love music.
And it has been an aurally scrumptious treat having all of these great new albums come out recently!  So finger-lickin, that I want to share my reviews and opinions and favs for a few so you can munch.  No, I'm not getting paid for this, but I should because my name is Michelle and I support this message.
1. Ingrid Michaelson, Everybody
Why yes, I DID see her in concert on her tour to promote this album.  And it's better live, can you believe that?
I personally think that this album is better than the first.  She keeps the same Ingrid-isms from the last album (repetition, cutesy love themes, light and bouncy background), but adds a little bit more warmth and depth to the musicality of the songs.  Even though her cutesy songs seem like they should be picked up and hugged, you can't deny the raw talent of Ingrid.
FAVS: "Soldier", "Sort of", "Mountain and the Sea"
RATING: 5 outta 5

2. Sara Barielles, Kaleidoscope Heart
I have been, am now, and always will be a big Sara Barielles fan.  I also went to the concert from the tour to promote this album and (is this even possible?) I loved her more.  She has so so much soul that she admits she's afraid to show.  But we love it, Sara, it's so worth it!  She, too, just has a lot of raw talent that is evident both in her album and live.  So easy to sing along to and to feel good to.
FAVS: I love them all for different reasons, but I had to choose..."Breathe Again" (she called this her "sit in a corner by yourself" song), "Gonna Get Over You", "Machine Gun" (shows off her powerful voice in the chorus), "Say You're Sorry", "Uncharted"
RATING: 5.5 outta 5

3. Taylor Swift, Speak Now
WAIT! Don't run away or stop reading.  I used to be a disliker of Taylor, but, alas, I have been drawn in.  Not by her voice, but by her lyrics.  This chick is my age and is so successful because she is someone you can relate to.  I felt the same with this new album.  She says what she wants and doesn't care if you figure out who the song is about (did anyone else notice that "Dear John" is not only about John Mayer, but uses the same guitar sounds as Johnny boy? You go girl).  I'm not a huge fan of country, but I think that Taylor does a good job of combining pop with country, making it more upbeat and less...country. 
FAVS: "Speak Now" (such a cute/less mentioned love story!), "Back To December", "Mine"
RATING: 3.5 outta 5

 4. Neon Trees, Habits
Ok, ok this one came out in March, BUT I just discovered it.  I dub this the dance-like-a-5-year-old album, because it will make you want to do it.  I mean, they do it in their music video for "Animals", so porque no?  Habits takes you on a caffinated rollercoaster ride that doesn't let you take a break.  So so fun.  Oh, and they're from Provo, UT (represent!). 
FAVS: "Animal", "1983"
RATING: 3 outta 5

5. Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
What a title.  This album sends me back to Portland, with its beat, its different sound and unique singer.  If you listen to this album, you can legitimately feel all cool and foreign because they originate from Versailles, France (it's in English, though, so put away those French-English dictionaries).  It's a funky album that I have to be in a certain mood in to listen all of the way through, but it's good.
FAVS: "1901", "Lizstomania"
RATING: 2.5 outta 5

6. Dan In Real Life Soundtrack
This one, too, is an oldie-that-was-recently discovered. So sue me.  Actually, you can thank me after you listen to this album.  This is good to study to because it has a couple of just instrumental songs.  Lots of sappy trumpet.  And fun.  Just light and frivolous. Oh, and if you haven't seen the movie, the soundtrack definitely enhances the effect.
FAVS: "To Be Surprised", "Let My Love Open the Door"
RATING: 3 outta 5

If there is anything that makes me happy, it's new music.  So I hope you listen and enjoy.
Here are some straggling singles:
-Kate Nash, "Merry Happy"
-Cee Lo, "Forget You" (I like the Glee version the best)
-Maroon 5, "Misery" or his cover of "If I Ain't Got You" from their new album, Hands All Over
-The Kooks, "Seaside"

Picking a Major

Fellow students, there is hope.  If you are like how I was when I first came to college, with no idea what I was to do with my life/schooling/career, I'm telling you now that it will happen. I can say this with confidence because I have had quite the journey.  Let's start with that.
When I was 14 years old, I discovered design shows on TV. And I fell in love.  I wanted to be an interior designer.  When I got to BYU, I was uncertain with how I was to accomplish this career goal, the Interior Design program no longer offered at BYU.  Originally, I planned on just doing the Music program and going to LDSBC for getting my Interior Design degree. Then I realized that the BYU Music program=death.  I thought that I was one of those really devoted music people, but compared to those people, I'm not even close.  That's why it's now my minor.
What to do next? what. to. do.  It's practical to go the business management course, then LDSBC for Interior Design, that way I can get the business aspect of the trade.  So I gave it a semester.  In a word, that was heck.  Statistics AND economics? What was I thinking?  I know so many people who love that and get that, but it turns out I'm not one of them. At all.
Next.
I left the country for 4 months. The cultural and informational download that I experienced there threw my major decision into a frenzy.  Like someone kicked a bees' nest.  I still loved architecture and the buildings in Europe are all so beautiful.  Continue with Interior Design? I discovered a love for art.  Art History?  I love to travel and to be emmersed in new cultures. International Relations?  Anthropology?  I spent a whole afternoon with Annie planning my schedule around Industrial Design.  After looking at the requirements and seeing multiple Physics and Calculus classes, my mind quickly changed again.
I had a summer to think about it.  I'm a Junior now. I've GOT to make a decision, already.
I took a class online for English.  I like to write. I love to read.  Can't go wrong with English, right?  Right, as it turns out.
And I LOVED it.  I still love it.  (See previous blog post)
The end.

Moral of the story and my advise to you: do what you love. Cut the practicality crap. Who cares if I'm going to have to go to grad school in order to really go anywhere with this with what I want to do?  And I can still decorate things, just not for a career.

STEPS TO ACQUIRING THE RIGHT MAJOR FOR YOU:

1. Whatever school you're at or currently interested in attending, print out or acquire a list of majors offered at the school.  Then go to town with process of elimination, baby.  Get a color-coated rating system down.  Highlight in different colors which ones you are definitely interested in, then use a different color for possible majors and then cross out the ugly, no-good-for-you majors.  Just get 'em outta the way.  Trust me, this helps.  Do this after each semester, too, because you're choices will most likely change a little bit.

2. Make lists.  Things that you're good at.  Things that you suck at.  Things that you could see yourself doing.  Things that you love to do for fun.  Let it loose, don't be shy or humble.  In fact, play your skills up as much as you can.  No one's going to read this. You discover lots about yourself.

3. If you're already in college, go to the advisement center.  Those people are literal professionals at this.

4. Start with General Ed classes.  They have such a wide range of subjects, you're bound to find a class that you like the most.  Annnnnd the classes that you don't like so much. 

5. Be open-minded.  I continually had English in the back of my mind, but I pushed it back (stupid practicality).  Go out and learn new things.  Don't do what you did in high school and stick with the people/activities/classes that everyone else did.  You are your own person and no one else can make this decision for you, so don't do what everyone else is doing.  Go to a play or musical.  Visit an art museum.  Take a ceramics or raquetball.  Get involved with a club on campus.  You can only discover what you're really good at by trying lots of different things.  Hey, you WILL find out what you're bad at, too. Plus, it makes for a fun college experience.

6. Trust yourself.  There's a reason you are where you are or you're going where you're going.

Good luck!

Mi casa es su casa.

I will board a flight in about 7.5 hours from now that will take me to my most favorite state in all of the United States=OREGON. 
Annie and I jumped up and down like little girls last night. 
Tonight I get to see: My mom (it's been about 3 weeks), the rest of my family (3.5 months), my dog (3.5 months), and my bestie Seth Hall (it's been about 2.5 years. NBD.)
I'M SO EXCITED THAT I CAN'T BREATHE OR FOCUS ON ANYTHING ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{I heart Oregon}

Kristin Wiig demonstrates how I feel perfectly:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/114930/saturday-night-live-surprise



Best 2 weeks of the semester: Part One

Ok, so I might be a little presumptuous in assuming that next week will be the second part of the best 2 weeks of the semester, but, come on, this is what I get to look forward to: 
-going back to Oregon in two days. That place is the best and I really really miss it. Especially since today it started snowing in Utah. Joy.
-seeing my BFF Seth for the first time in about 2.5 years.
-hanging out with Annie, Seth, Lindsay and Hayley just like old times (and eating Annie's cookies)
-my wonderful family.  My sister told me that she's really excited for me to come home because we're going to eat a lot and fall into a food coma. And repeat. Love her.
-my puppy.
-seeing HPATDH again.

Speaking of HPATDH, this is what part one was like.
SUNDAY
I made my first casserole with my roommate Kelly.  We're so...Mormon mommy now.

{Brett and Kelly enjoying our Casserole}

Also that night was my Crepe-a-Palooza/Freshmen girls' reunion partay.  I ran into Audrey on campus last week and we talked about how much we miss the girls. So I planned a party full of sugar and talking.  It was really fun being able to catch up on the latest and greatest. 

Remember this?

{hikes + Morgan's Hummer}

{tie-dying}

{Halloweenie}

{model Sundays}

..and we kept with the oven picture tradition:

{two years later...}



WEDNESDAY

I went to the Sara Barielles concert with my good friend, Amber Whiteley and then Linds and her roommate came later.  Another thing checked off my bucket list.  I've been wanting to see Sara in concert since "Love Song" came out forever ago.  It was really fun, even with the mean ladies behind us. When you're in a crowded concert hall and you're sitting down in an area that has a pretty good view and more space than any other section in that area, YEAH you're not going to be able to see and YEAH people are going to crowd your space. You should've seen it coming and stood up and claimed your territory.  And stop whining about it.

Anyways...she played all my favorites from both of her albums and the band was so laid back and talented.

{Lindsay, me, Amber}

{I want to grow up to be Sara Barielles someday}



THURSDAY

It's the night I've been waiting for for a looonnng time. 

HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 1

midnight showing.

{camping out}

{notice the Hogwarts sign on our sweaters}

{Leslie/Hermione, Cam/Harry, Me-just heading to Hogwarts. NDB.}

I'm not going to write anything else about it because I'm afraid I won't do it justice.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

I met up with my Grandma Ericksen in SLC for dinner at Olive Garden and then Time Out For Women.  The only way I know how to describe it is it has the same layout as EFY, only it's for Relief Society.  There are speakers and musical performances both Friday night and most of Saturday.  My favorite speaker, though they were all good, was Mariama Kallon. She talked about her life while growing up in war-torn Sierra Leon and how she found the church and then served a mission for the church.  It was a heart-wrenching story that just wanted me to go down to Sierra Leon and bring everyone the Gospel and then bring them to America, away from the horrible things that they had to see.  She's a delightful woman who just loved life and wanted everyone to know that God truly knows every single one of us, no matter where/who/when we are. 

{Salt Palace in SLC}

Whenever I see a picture or learn about the lives of those who lived in, say, the 17th or 18th centuries, I wonder why I wasn't born then.  It would have been so cool to wear big dresses and hair and ride in carriages and go to balls.  But then I realize that I love indoor plumbing and heating and not wearing a corset. Also, I have weeks like this and realize that I'm so lucky to be alive. Now. In 2010.  And I'm surrounded by amazing people who understand me and still want to be my friend.  And I can go to school and not get in trouble for it.  And fly home to my family during the holidays.  And have the fullness of the Gospel in my life and the immense amount of blessings that come with it. 

I'm ready for Part Two.

October

{HOT COCOA PARTY}

{FOOTBALL GAMES}

{PARENTS' WEEKEND}
My momma came to visit me for Parents' Weekend at BYU.  She came in to visit me at work and came to my classes. Except Spanish.  There's this ongoing dispute, you could say, in my family about Spanish and French.  My dad is fluent in Spanish and my mom is fluent in French. So when the time came for each child to choose one of them to study at school, my parents would ask us questions like: "Which parent is your favorite?"  Well, I chose Spanish, but I am no respector of persons, er, parents. So we were sitting in Spanish class, and my mom makes it for about 5 minutes until she stands and leaves, muttering, "I don't understand Spanish".  hahaha.  We went shopping, saw "The Hereafter", and ate out at Bajio. 

Saturday, we walked the 5K, sat in the rain at the football game like true blue Oregonians, and did some more shopping.  That night, we saw "The Magic Flute" opera.  It was my first opera, and it was quite the experience!  That night, I introduced my mom to Sammy's milkshakes.

Sunday, she went to church with me and then she let me win at Scrabble.  It was such a fun weekend and I was so happy to see her.

I love my momma.

{INGRID MICHAELSON}

Can I just say, she's so amazingly incredibly awesome.  After waiting in the rain/snow/wind/sleet for 1.5 hours, we got to stand on a platform in the back of the room.  But it was worth it. She's a great performer and tells funny stories.

{Ali-Kelly-Cortney-Abby-Me}

{HALLOWEENIE}
Friday, I dressed up for work as a peacock.  That night, I had a girls' date night with Anna.  I tried Guru's for the first time (YUM!). Also, Anna had her ballet audition that day and found out that SHE GOT IN!! So we went to Cupcake Chic to celebrate. Then, scary movie night with "The Haunting of Molly Hartley"!! (critique=pretty good/freaky until the end. Baaaad ending)

Saturday, Anna, Michelle (her roommate), and I went to a party, where I dressed up as Miss Scarlet from the game Clue. We were going to go to another party, but then we realized how hungry we were, so Taco Bell Fourth Meal it was.
While we were at T-Bell, there were other kids there dressed up as soccer players and lifeguards.  The soccer player totally gave me the up-down and said, "niiiice".  Ok...so I continued to check out the menu, couldn't decide what I wanted.  Then the lifeguard said: "I like your pearls."  I looked at him and replied: "Oh, thanks. I like...your...shorts."  Those guys were interesting.  Oh Halloween.

Absolution

Mi amiga y roomie Annie Spackman is in the Accounting program here at beewhyewe. Since she's smart and stuff, she gets the Wall Street Journal every day.  What's nice about her receiving this newpaper is that it is a re-usable resource and so I can read it, too.  Yesterday, she directed me to an article that was eye-opening for me and thus slightly embarrassing/shocking/true.  It's about an issue that has risen with our technologically-based generation.  Maybe.  It's short, so you should read it, but for the impatient, it's about how our society's interactions have been affected by the word "maybe". "Maybe I'll go on that date with you", "I dunno, maybe I could go", "I'm not sure, I might be able to go".  I am so annoyed by those people. I had a party at my place about a month ago that I sent an invite for through Facebook.  out of the 40 people that I invited, only 21 answered definitively (18 yes, 3 no).  The rest were maybes or awaiting replies.  This really really bugged me.  You couldn't take the time to make a decision?  If you can't come, you can't come. If you genuinely don't know, then it's fine to hit maybe. But 18 who didn't even hit maybe? Thanks.
I was thinking about this and realized that I do the SAME THING.  Oh, dear...
For example, last week a friend invited me to play broomball with a group that night.  I already had some plans and I don't like broomball to begin with, BUT I didn't know about my plans for sure and I didn't want to be rude, so I answered: "I'm not sure, it depends on how things work out tonight".  Not a definitive answer. Non-committed answer.  Wussy answer.  So a couple of hours later, while I was doing the plans that I was working on when she texted me, she texted me again: "Michelle, what are you doing tonight?"  Now, texts are ambiguous a lot of the time, but that was pretty straight-foward.  Translation: "Michelle, stop being wishy-washy and tell me if you are going with us tonight or not. Come on."  Ooops.  And you wonder why she hasn't talked to me since?  Because I'm a wuss who doesn't want to step on any toes! 
So, my resolution is to stop being a maybe person.  I'm going to make a decision and communicate that decision effectively. 

Maybe.

Take a moment...

I was listening up on General Conference this morning and was listening to Elder Patrick Kearon's talk from Priesthood Session.  This section really stuck out to me:

"When they laid down their weapons of rebellion, they qualified themselves for the Lord’s healing and peace, and so can we. The Savior assures, “If they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them.” You and I can accept His invitation to “return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal [you].”

Click here for the full talk.

Secondly, I was listening to him instead of reading.  His accent made me think of London. Oh, how I miss London...
...and Hyde Park (especially since Utah has decided to be super cold super early this year)

Can't wait to go back.

YouTube break. In Spanish.

I'm currently in a Spanish class this semester and I have watched some pretty good YouTube videos in the Spanish lanuage that I want to share with you.  The blog is in light of the endless amount of Spanish homework that I'm currently putting off. If you don't understand, well, sorry about that.

1. No te metas a mi Facebook (Don't bug me on my Facebook).
Dig the dance moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASU0oadRcxs

2. Me rompio el corazon (She broke my heart)
About this little boy who had his heart broken by a chica who told him she had another boyfriend. So cute!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM2v9QTPj5g

3. First Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song
I just realized just how bad his accent is. This makes me feel a little bit better about my Spanish abilities.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngRq82c8Baw

4. Los Bigotes.
A personal favorite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2EdEDVej2A

5. The Saddest Picture in the World
For some good entertainment, check out everything by the Buenas Aires Independent Film Festival.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3BWYR6X7Hc

6. Bon Jovi
If you don't like clowns, don't watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht_LNxySlJo

Adios!

Grateful

After President Monson's talk during General Conference, I've been grateful. 
I'm Grateful For...
...warmth. From a blanket or from the sun or from modern day electricity.
...education. Sure, I complained just a little bit about my midterms this week, but I really am grateful for the great education I've been receiving from London, BYU, and my parents.
...books.  Read The Book Thief and you too will realize how precious books are. Plus, I'm an English major, so naturally I am enamored with books.
...parents. They just rock. I've been sitting here for a bit and I just don't know where to start. They just rock.

I got to go to the Peterson's house for Sunday Conference. We ate lots and lots of great food, had jam sessions on the piano, played games, hot tubbed, talked.  It was nice to get away from Provo for a day.
I've also been inspired by multiple things this past week.
1. General Conference.  Since this semester has been really busy, it kind of snuck up on me. When I realized the week of that Conference was going to happen soon, I got really excited.  I love Conference.
2. http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/  =Proof on how love can help you survive.
3. My Grandma Ericksen=I've learned so many new things about her recently that I just admire about her. She's travelled to so many places and has seen so many things, yet you would never know.  I know because I snooped in her photo albums :)

"Find out what the Lord wants you to do and then do it." -President Henry B. Eyring (leader in LDS church)

Back in Cougartown

As you all have heard from a previous blog post, I am back in blue as an English major.  It was quite the adjustment after about 9+ months of being outside of Provo, Utah, but I'm getting back to the swing of things, folks.
WEEK ONE
Roomies with Annie.
SCHOOL STARTS. DUN DUN DUNNNN.
Anna's b-day dance.
Saturday morning, I got to kick it with some of my London peeps for the first time since, well, London.  We ate Amish Oatmeal (a favorite London Centre breakfast) and got to catch up.  I love those kids.

That afternoon was the first home game.  We had really good seats. And we won.  Nice start to the season, I'd say!

{me n annie}

WEEK TWO
Labor Day Monday. What else can you do, but go hiking? The weather was so nice and it was so fun to spend some more time with London peeps and Anna.  We THOUGHT we were hiking Squaw Peak until we got to the top and saw Squaw Peak across the valley. Oops. It was fun, anyways.

Two words: Club Style. Hip-Hop. I almost forgot how much fun it is!  Dance has always been one of those things.  The things that you've always wanted to do, but you just got caught up doing other things and now you have the chance to do it.  And you wonder how different your life would be if you had decided to do it, instead of those other things.  I'm happy with my life choices, especially now that I have a chance to do one of those things.
Anyways, I love hip-hop.

Wednesday was Mexico's Bicentennial for their Independence Day, so what a better way to spend it than with the BYU Latino club?

{brittany, me, and our amigos}

I just realized that another one of those things that I've wanted to do since I reached the age of concert-going is going to a concert on a roof top.  A la Beatles.  And that was accomplished on my second weekend back in Utah.  It was so much fun!  Nik Day opened for Benton Paul. The music was great. The people were fun. And it was on the top of a parking garage in downtown Provo. Oh, and I whole-heartedly endorse Sammy's milkshakes (um, hello banana cream pie + oreos). 

{brittany, annie, me @ the concert}

I got a job. Whew.

Classes are good. As aforementioned, I LOVE MY MAJOR!! My roommates are so cool.  I keep running into friends that I haven't seen in awhile.  And life is good.

Shrimp Fetticini Alfredo

I am on a mission to utilize my blog to make college life easier for others.  Now that I'm a Junior and have lived in 3 different apartments with 9 different girls AND have changed my major about 4-5 times, I think that I have some sort of credibility on this subject.  Through the trial and error method, I have learned a lot about how to survive on my own and about myself in the process.
I thought I'd start off with a bang and introduce my culinary specialty.  But some background first.  I like to cook.  Actually, it's more like I like to create things with my own hands and have others enjoy it and cooking is another method to accomplish this.  My mom dislikes to cook, but does it anyways because she is fabulous and wants our family to be healthy.  That's another facet to my cooking history: my parents are in the medical field and so I grew up with no soda, no candy, no chips, and lots of fruits and veggies in the house.  Going to McDonald's or going out for ice cream was a treat.  And I am SO GRATEFUL for this because I'm healthy!  So my cooking segments are for healthier dishes with lots of color and all-around goodness. 
My first dish is a hit.  My specialty, you could say.

Ingredients:
-bag of pre-cooked shrimp, any size, 30-60 count
-jar of any cheesy fetticini sauce.  My personal fav is garlic parmesan.
-box of whole wheat noodles. You could just have normal noodles, but it's not as good for you.
-milk
-olive oil (less healthy choice=butter)
-side of greens.  I like doing spinach.

1. BOIL. Start off boiling the water for the noodles, because this is the longest process you'll have to go through for this dish.
2. SHRIMP. While that's warming up, start...cooking? re-cooking? heating-up?...the shrimp (I don't know, it's pre-cooked, but you have to cook it a bit more).  First, you have to defrost and de-tail the little buggers.  To defrost, put the shrimp (however much you want, depending on how shrimp-y you want it) in a strainer and run lukewarm water over it for a few minutes.  Then de-tail 'em. In a medium-to-large sized skillet on medium-to-high heat, put the shrimp and enough olive oil to get the bottom of the skillet covered.  You might need to add more while you're going, to keep the shrimp "wet", so keep the jar nearby.  Add any spices you want while they're cooking.

3. NOODLES. Don't forget that you're water is starting to boil, now.  Pour in the noodles.  I like to break them in half as I put them in, since that makes them easier to eat once they're cooked.  They need to cook for about 7-8 minutes. 
Momma's tip: You know the noodles are ready #1: when the timer goes off, usually, and #2: you can take a noodle and throw it against the fridge.  If it sticks, it's cooked.  If it doesn't, don't put this noodle back in, that's gross.  Cook the rest for a little bit longer.  If it breaks, you've overcooked it.
Drain, but don't rinse.
4. SAUCE:  Once the shrimp starts to look a TINY bit brownish from the oil, they're ready.  Turn down the heat and take your jar of sauce and pour it in the skillet.  This not only saves on cleaning a sauce pot, but the flavors can start to seep into the shrimp. 
Momma's tip: pour milk into the jar until it's about 1/3 of the way full.  Re-cap and shake. Pour the milk into the sauce/shrimp mixture.  This gets the extra sauce off the side of the jar and makes the sauce go further=saves money and feeds more.
5. EAT. Hopefully, you've been heating up your side dish.  Like I said, I like to steam spinach with some lemon juice.  I also love to have asiago bread on the side.  It's a less healthy choice, but you can never go wrong with more cheese.  You can mix the noodles with the sauce/shrimp, or just put it on top when you serve it up.

Voila! Michelle's Shrimp Fettcini Alfredo. Hope you have a nice group of friends to enjoy it with :)

Hello, my name's Michelle, and I'm an English major.

It's official! And it feels so good to be telling everyone that my major for sure is English.  Instead of "Well, I THINK I want to do business so that  I can go into architecture. Not sure. We'll see."  Feels great.
And I think it's appropriate to write a poem about the occasion:

Walking down the halls of the JFSB.
This is the building for me.
I've finally found a place
in the BYU space.
It was music that I first declared
But I soon became aware
That I'm not too keen
on being a piano machine.
Then I lasted a semester with this
Thinking it was smart to do Pre-Business.
When economics kicked my tail
I ran away and quickly set sail
towards a new major, industrial design.
But physics isn't a strength of mine.
There had to be a career!
I have to choose this year!
"Do what you love, love what you do"
This is the reason I go to school.
Thinking, searching, reading...
...reading, writing, creative thinking.
I've always liked to do those;
poetry, fiction, non-fiction, prose.
I've made it! This major is for me.
So here I am in the JFSB.

And I'm stickin' to it.

This Summer

..went at normal speed. You know how people say how fast or slow their summer went?  I figure that mine went at normal speed.  There was a beginning, middle, and an end.  The beginning: re-cooping from London Study Abroad withdrawls.  The middle: Washington DC trip with my family.  The end: vacation to California.  I worked, I played, I worked.
I haven't updated since my trip to California.  What a fun ending to my normal speed summer.
PART ONE: Kickin it with Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Roger
FRIDAY
Six Flags with my sister, Sydney.  6 hours of adrenaline bliss.  And it was great since California went back to school, already, so shorter lines!
SATURDAY
Basically, today was a blast to the British past.
Morning tea time with the girls!  They brought out these pots with our hot cocoa/tea in them and we had scones.  I ordered the classic English Breakfast.  (ohhh, memories...)

We found Taylor Lautner's house.
Then we went to see "Annie" the musical at C.O.C. 
Then we had a family bar-be-que.
SUNDAY
My family left this morning, so I had my grandparents all to myself :)  After church, we drove down to Malibu.  As we relaxed/walked along the beach, we watched the guards patrol the $300 million yacht owned by a Russian businessman.  No big deal.
My grandparents introduced me to a cute little cupcake place called Crumbs.

And then I made my famous shrimp fetticini alfredo for them.
MONDAY
We went to this cool black light mini golfing place.

Then we saw "Eat Pray Love". Review: fun to see the different places around the world that she went to. Still not sure if I want to read the book or not. I love Julia Roberts but not her character.
TUESDAY
My family and I try to go to California to visit my grandparents each summer.  I realized this time around that I have never been to Hollywood Blvd to see the Walk of Fame.  So my grandpa and I drove down and snapped pictures of our favorites.  We ate at this cute 50s themed Disney cafe.  Then we drove by the church where my grandparents were married in and where they first lived after they married.  What I loved about having this one-on-one time with my grandparents was how I learned a lot about them that I'd never know before.  Like how they met.  And the types of cases my grandpa has taken (he's a retired homocide detective for LAPD, so his life was basically CSI=gnarly stories). 

{'arry Potta!}

We went bowling that night and enjoyed some classic In-N-Out. Mmmm.

PART TWO: Temecula w/ Brittany and Kira
WEDNESDAY
I got up early to drive down with my aunt to meet up with Brittany!  Annie, Kira, Brittany and I have been planning this trip since London.  Annie drove down with her BF from Provo and I drove down from Santa Clarita and Kira came back from Oklahoma to be reunited with Brittany in Temecula! 
After the jumping up and down and squealing, the first thing we do is throw on our swimsuits and head straight for the pool to soak up some California sun. 

Then we had some authentic Californian Mexican food.
And unlimited bowling.

{we didn't plan the blue, but there you go}

THURSDAY
You can't miss out on the beach in California. So, of course, Brit, Kira, Annie and I hit up Oceanside.  There was a cute little farmer's market (memories!) and it was the perfect weather.  We splashed around, walked down to the jetty, got hit by some waves at the end of the jetty, and ate some good food/milkshakes.

{such a perfect day!}

"nothing comes close to the Golden Coast"

The Good, The Really Good, and the Weird

Events in my life have drawn mixed emotions and what else can I do about it than blog about it?

THE GOOD
Only approximately 20 days left of work, then I can play and school.

THE REALLY GOOD
1.  I got a letter from Elder Seth Hall today!  Which was perfect timing, since today is 3 months left until he's home!

(front row, far right, first week)

He sounds like such a great missionary and I'm so proud of our widdle Sethy-Poo!  I'm excited to hear the mish stories first hand from him.

One of my fav picts of us...we're always looking out for each other like good besties should, including grooming like monkeys (fyi: I didn't and I don't have bugs in my hair).

I also got a letter from Elder Tavana Alailima, recently.

He sounds like he's doing great in Panama :)

I decided that missions are really really awesome.

2.  I got a plane ticket to California for the first time in 3 years. My family and I always go every summer, but due to working schedules and what-not, I've missed out for 3 summers in a row.  For a few days of this trip, I get some of this, again:

PARTY IN CALIFORNIA IN 34 DAYS!! <3

3.  TOMORROW I get to see my bestie for the first time in 2.5 months.  With being together 24/7 for 4 months straight having the time of our lives, then separated for 2.5 months, it makes me a little bit excited...

I MISSED HER! Beach on Saturday :)

4.  Another one of my roommates got married. Congrats, Mrs. Lyndee Francom!

(top row, far right=Lyndee and second row, left=Leanne, another Mrs.)

I miss our awkward family pictures and hip hop in the living room and squeezing 4 girls on one couch during scary movies.

THE WEIRD

1. Ok, so I work a lot.  And I see and hear some funny things.  A recent occurance is during the late shift.  Every night at the exact same time, while I'm working downstairs by the big window, I see an old man walk across the parking lot of the clinic without a shirt, carrying a paper bag.  Without fail. Whaaa??!!

2. Driving down Borland Road, there's a farm on the side of the road of llamas/alpacas/whatever.  One day, my mom and I were driving by the farm and noticed that the llamas/alpacas/whatever were shaved everywhere except their heads, feet and tails.  Poodle llamas.  Funniest thing to see, just think about it.

3. I took a call at work and the older man on the line requested the time of his appointment.  I told him and asked if he could still make it.  He paused and then said, "I will for you."  I couldn't stop laughing.  He said, "That was good, huh?"  And I replied, "Yeah, that was a good one haha."

"Tomorrow's just a song away" -Hockey

Peace and love.