Isn't it Funny

Isn't it funny how our life travels in circles sometimes.

A year ago I was home for the summer, working at the office, and just waiting to go back to school. A year later, here I am. I'm making beach trips, attending the family ward, still working at the office, still waiting to go back.

The other day I was driving home from Huntington Beach to make it back to one of my favorite Carne Asada BBQs. I was coming down the 55 just as the work traffic was starting to clear up, the sun positioned just right in the rear view mirror. It reminded me of last year when I was driving home from the same beach to the same BBQ get together. I grabbed my iPod and turned to the song "Fix You" because thats what I had been listening to in that same car ride a year ago.

Its moments like those where you can really compare your life, from where you were to where you are. Repetition is key. And even though I was in the same situation a year ago, I feel like I'm a completely different person. Its not that I've necessarily changed from the person I was, but that I'm continually changing into the person I'm meant to be. I miss my friends, the ones that were there with me last summer, the ones who laughed with me as wiped my eyes listening to Coldplay, the ones who ate pizza with me on the beach, the ones who knew me better than I knew myself. But on the other hand, I can't wait to see them all again and show them who I've become, and see what they have become. I guess this is growing up.

"Life isn't about finding yourself, its about creating yourself"-George Bernard Shaw

Untitled Thoughts

Found this print via Pinterest tonight and I must say that I absolutely love it. I have a file on my desktop full of images, quotes, colors, ect of things that I happen upon and fall in love with. I was looking through and there is such a wide variety of subjects and mediums... the list includes, but is not limited to: colorful socks, paintings, cakes, books, quotes, song lyrics, and smiles. I wish I could name the file with the words from this print.

I have been thinking a lot about art, what is considered art, and why it is considered art. Sometimes I'll be walking through a modern art exhibit and see a sculpture of a soup can and wonder why it is there, and then I'll be at home and see the shadows painted on my walls as the sun sets through my windows and think "now that is art". My opinion is that art is whatever makes you feel something more. Art is life. How perfect is that?

Beach Baby

Title inspired by this song.

I always loved growing up in CA

When I'm away for school, up to my knees in snow,

I dream of summers down in Huntington beach.

I remember sitting outside the boarder patrol from Egypt to Israel, I was sitting on a wall off of the road and just started watching the ocean. It was one of those moments when a certain smell or sound will bring back a flood of memories.

So while I'm home for the summer, I've made it a goal it get skinny, get tan, and get to the beach as often as I possibly can. Today I went down with the family and our friends the Bergquists. (We have been commenting on how the word "friend" isn't really enough, family seems more appropriate than friend). We stopped on the way for Cafe Rio and ate our salads on the beach (whoever decided to open a Cafe Rio in Huntington has my heart). We had a great time just lounging, chatting, and literally soaking up the sun. I would argue that there is no better feeling than the sun on your face and the sand in your toes.

Side note. They had a 50 percent off sidewalk sale where Diana and I got matching scarfs and Toms. At least we think they are scarfs... but don't worry, we came up with plenty of alternatives for these puppies.

Post. Script. I found out that my amazing mother bought us tickets to see The Civil Wars in concert in a couple weeks. Best news of the day. Haven't heard them? Check it out...

You're Alive

Sorry for the multiple YouTube videos. I just can't help myself.

Wedding flowers

Pump up the jamzzz

Got that summer playlist stared...

The New Fleet Foxes CD

Jack Johnson. Necessary.

Crash - Dave Matthews Band

Big Jet Plane (Acoustic version will blow your mind) - Angus and Julia Stone

Shake Me Down - Cage the Elephant

You Already Know - Bombay Bicycle Club

Brackett WI - Bon Iver

Talk - Coldplay

Home - Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros

Give Into Me - from the movie "Country Strong" (must see)

Pasadena - Modern Skirts

Warmer Climate - Snow Patrol

Jumper - Third Eye Blind

What is on your playlist?

Most replayed song on your ipod?

Anything I should add to mine?

Speaking of music.

I've decided to teach myself guitar.

I've always wanted to learn & I think this summer is the summer to do it.

I'm building those calluses and watching a lot of youtube.

I can kind of suffer through "Kiss Me" by Six Pence None the Richer and that about it. But hey, its a start, and starting is the hardest part. Or so I'm told.

Anyone else make summer goals?

My influences may or may not have been...

Country Strong. This movie made me melt.

Leighton Meester is my girl crush.

Audrey Hepbrun. She just looks good with a guitar in her arms. Lets be honest, she always looks good.

You Already Know

Popular

p.s. I'm way more popular when im in Jerusalem...

Celebrity Crush

This past week our family vacationed in Hawaii

(I'm sure I'll blog about it as soon as I have room on my computer to upload the pictures)

It was rainy the first couple days, so one night the girls decided to go out and see the new movie "Something Borrowed". I really liked the movie... I'm super critical of movies and there are always things that I think I would have done differently. But one thing that they got spot on was casting John Krasinski.

Oh.My.Goodnes.

I always had the biggest crush on Jim.

I never thought Pam was good enough for him.

&& for me, John just keeps getting better and better.

It may be "little girlish" to have a celebrity crush,

but how can you help but fall in love with him!

I think he is right up there with Ryan Reynolds.

Cute and funny is a magical combo.

&& hey... look at that smile!

Vacation

Hawaii... Here I come

I'm currently compiling my summer book list... any suggestions?

What is your favorite summer read?

LA Field Trip

Every time I log on Facebook, I find that I have at least 5 notifications that involve various Jerusalem Family Reunions, all of which I can not attend considering I am stationed in CA for the summer.

The great this about being in CA is that fun and friends are never too far away. Luckily I have a couple JC friends nearby... one of which has agreed to put up with me and my post Jerusalem field trips. Austen Anderson lives just north of LA and I live just south of it giving us a great meeting spot.

Since most of my friends from home are scattered across the globe, Austen is my closest friend who also has no life. First I met up with him and his little sister in Santa Monica for a short little beach trip where we lounged, chatted, body surfed, paddle balled, and beached.

Since Austen leaves for Utah soon, we tried to fit in one more little field trip in LA before he left. We decided on a little hike up to the Hollywood sign that I had always wanted to try. We hiked up in the hot sun and talked about our favorite JC memories and the people that we missed the most... which just happened to be everyone. It was nice to talk about Jerusalem with someone who completely understood.

Our plans were to head to the Getty afterwards but I botched the idea seeing as we would only have an hour and a half in the museum and that couldn't possibly be enough time there. So we opted to driving down Sunset Blvd until we found someplace to eat. We came across a little pizza place that looked sanitary enough to eat at. We each ordered a slice of pizza that turned out to be "large enough to wrap around our heads" (direct quote from Austen). We joked about how we would never be able to eat the whole thing and then ended up licking the plate clean.

We had fun... and sadly Sir Austen has to head up to Utah for the rest of the summer... But luckily I still have the amazing, talented, beautiful, popular, Lani Livingston here with me all summer. It was nothing short of fate that our families both planned trips to Hawaii the same week, therefor we will be catching up on the shores of Oahu and will be inseparable for the rest of the summer.

Bring on the sun.

Summer 2011.

Home

I've been a little out of the blogging scene since I've been home.

Partly because I enjoy spending my days watching movies.

But mostly because nothing can really compare to hanging out in the Holy Land.

However, I am really glad to be home.

Since I've been back I have been plenty busy!

First offff.... I got to attend Miss Elizabeth Brambila's (Now Merkley) wedding!

The event was highly anticipated and rightfully so.

It was a beautiful day, she was a beautiful bride, and I loved seeing them so happy.

I'm a sucker for anything lovey dovey and weddings are my thing.

It happened to be that Canyon Springs High School had their Prom the very same night. So I got to drive my baby sister Paige all over to get her makeup done and take pictures for Prom. Her dress was stunning and her date was suave. I feel really old saying this but... It seems like just yesterday I was going to all these senior functions like prom and graduation. Today someone asked me what grade I was in and about dropped dead when I said I was going into my junior year of COLLEGE! Really?

Another thing about this time of year, is that it seems like every other weekend we are celebrating something. We have Easter, my mom's birthday, mothers day, my papa's birthday, my brothers birthday, fathers day... the list goes on and on. 4 of the listed holidays have to do with my amazing parents. I really do have amazing parents, they have always supported me in everything I've done and are always pushing me past my own expectations. So thanks Mom & Paps... I love you immensely