Life Goes On

Life has been hard this week. 

Nasty not fun hard.

But the Earth keeps spinning. 

And I've thrown myself back into action.

Remember this toadstool quilt that I crafted up a few months ago? Raya was the perfect girl for it! I was finishing up the ragging on a little blankie for Marshall and she gave me this sad look and said, "Why does Marshall get so many blankets?" She's been really great at sharing attention with him, hard when you've been the queen bee for your whole life. So I treated her with some cozy quilt loving. 

She made up a song about it. 

And that made my day.

A Letter to My Brother

I've been contemplating how to share this information in the blogosphere and it seemed to me that this letter I wrote to my brother would be the best way.  This has been one of the most spiritual and poignant moments of my life. It is taking me in a direction that I had never planned for myself. It has been a few weeks and everything is coming together so well! I'll be updating more about the process as I go but for now, here is the story of how I realized that I was on the road to serving as a full time Sister Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: 


James James James. 
I have a story to tell. 

So it has been my plan since graduation to stay in Rexburg for a while and save money to start Cosmetology school in January. I changed my start date to October because I didn't want to put it off longer than I needed to, but that didn't work either. I'll be going home for Christmas in 5 weeks and school would start as soon as I got back and I felt totally unmotivated to get ready.  

On Tuesday this week I just thought to myself, Elle, why are you doing this? Why do you even want to spend so much time on doing hair and crap and have to go into debt for it when you already have a perfectly good education? I was thinking about moving to Provo. I was thinking about going home and living there and going to the hair school in Eureka. But none of it was right. 

One of my co-workers suggested that I call my home teacher and have him give me a blessing. I texted him right away and we made plans for him to come over as soon as I was off work.  Jonnie and Brian showed up right when I got home and I just started sobbing as I explained how lost I was feeling and wanting to know what the Lord wants from me.  They were understanding and it was a relief to have a few people to talk to.  Jonnie gave me a blessing and in it I was told that I am on the right path and that Heavenly Father will continue to bless me as I am diligent in following the commandments. I was also given a blessing of peace and comfort. They left and shortly after I headed upstairs to read my scriptures.  

D&C 60: 2 and 13. That was my answer. Immediately.  You need to read that section as soon as you can because it is my motivating force for the next year and a half. That's right. As soon as I opened my scriptures and started reading that verse (I had a note I took at a meeting that I wrote the verses on and just turned to it) I had the strongest most overwhelming feeling that was "Here it is Elle. This is what you must do as soon as possible or you will lose everything you are working for." 

I am meeting with my Bishop tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon to start mission papers!!!

The first time that I considered a mission it was just a good idea. It was a step in the right direction.  I felt that it was necessary for me to begin preparing myself and I think that preparation made me ready to accept the revelation when I was explicitly told to go.  I still tear up every time I have explained this story to someone close to me.

I am pretty sure that I won't be leaving until you get back because of the time to get papers done and everything, and yes. You get the car back. Lucky you! Ha ha! I'm so proud of you for setting such a good example to me of being a dutiful servant to the Lord. I've seen you grow up through the letters you've sent and I can't believe I'm going to have that experience for myself! 

Love you,

Elle

Happy Explosions

Erika just showed me this video of Katy Perry's new song and I really like it. It is a great reminder of potential.  I think we all forget our value and worth sometimes and are terrified about what other people think.  Letting go of that fear is hard at first but the release of all cares is like flying with brand new strong wings.  Try it please. Face a fear. There is no better time than now.

If You Had One Of These

You would see this

And it would happen in 

That's right! My application is turned in and I will be officially registered as soon as my transcripts are sent to the school! The plan wasn't to go until early next year but I'm sick of having to wait around for things in life and finances really aren't going to be much different in 6 months.  Happy Birthday present to me! 

Motivation

I finally got a copy off this print at a little shop on Main Street. Mine has a green background although I really wanted the traditional red. For those of you that are unfamiliar with this poster it is a British Propaganda poster from World War II. Apparently it was never used as it was created in anticipation of a Nazi invasion in Britain. My life isn't exactly WWII, but I like the reminder. It's going up in the new place as a reminder that life goes on. I know that it sounds cliche but it really helps me to have reminders up for myself. I'm not really into the vinyl wall words and cheesy brass stars kind of girl. Thinking of the historical context really puts things into focus.

Just Around The Riverbend!

College Senior Elle

Graduation is in 11 days. Where has my life gone?? Not that I regret what has happened in the past 21 years of my life, I just can't believe it has all gone by so fast. When we're in high school people say that those are the best years of our lives. Then we move onto college and those become the times we'll never forget. I think these cliches are really just to teach us to enjoy the moments in life and made great memories. Here are some of my favorite college memories:

move in day

meeting jaimee and my first roommates ever

the happy wall

"bra-mules"

ninja wars with brock

my first snow days

yellow and green walls in our house

the swoopy archway

swinging at porter park

jumping on the tramp in prom dresses

staying up until 5 am on msn messenger, with jaimee...

epic halloween party

watching that creepy movie in the shed

salad fingers (ew)

limewire (oooh the background can be different colors!)

"hi, my name's emily. uh, i mean elle."

roadtrip to logan

pie crust cookies

hair cholesterol

zaboomafoooooooooooo

erika and lindsey's awesome mix of awesomeness

my first visit to boise

large house boys

hooker house boys

the quarter on the front step

"hey, we got your mail!"

fridge magnets with funny phrases

my plant, herbert

living at the neighbor's apartment for most of sophomore year

rick rick rick rick rick

begone loooooooooooong one

the fortune cookie game

otter pops

window watching after curfew

the "honor cod"

throwing darts into the wall

valentine's day traditions

early christmas

purple magic time

endless hours of youtube with jane

stuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrt

kissing would be niiiiiiiiice

literally anything related to the princess and the frog

wally singing michael buble

mlia and the funny things it makes us try

headphones up the nose?

passing out on random beds of friends

Unfortunately I can only mostly remember things from my freshman and senior years. And some of Junior winter. The other three semesters were pretty miserable and stressful. I know that this list probably doesn't really mean much to other people, but its meant for me. A time to remember how great life is. I've made great friends. I've struggled and hopefully improved and grown up. But never you fear! This little girl is free and alive in me still!

1st grade Elle

Oh and if you're wondering about the Pocahontas title...This Sunday we had a "last real Sunday of the semester" dinner party. My roommate Julie's brother Kyle brought over a Pocahontas card game that they played when they were little. I totally smoked him at it! Ha ha! So that is the relevance. I also feel like my life is going to be pretty different from now on. A lot of new goals to make and things to try! Bring it on. I'm a fully functioning adult in society now!

Dilemma

My roommate just read this scenario to me and we both agreed that we love it. Enjoy!

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.

2. An old friend who once saved your life.

3. The perfect man (or) woman you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car? Think before you continue reading.

This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application. You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect dream lover again.





The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer. He simply answered: "I would give the car keys to my old friend, and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the woman of my dreams." Never forget to "Think Outside of the Box."

This Is Why I'm Hot

Or in other words; This is why I've been too busy to write any blog posts.

1. It's my last semester of College
2. I've been ridiculously sick and have missed a lot of class, so I can't exactly be on the computer can I?
3. Mr. Diego, the computer in question, has been malfunctioning and needs to be replaced (want to send me a free computer????)
4. No motivation
5. I've been doing so many projects that there isn't enough time to share anything about them!
6. Our school's production of Macbeth is in full swing and I do makeup backstage several nights a week
7. My ceramics class is in project overload and I'd rather be on a wheel than a laptop
8. I'm not sure that I care about writing everything out for the world to read. Hey world! Want to hear about the guys that I made up to look like 50 year old me?! So exciting I'm sure ;)
9. I'm venturing into home decor projects and having more fun than I expected
10. Remember #1? It's so stressful!!!!!!

So now that the list is out it's time to make a confession and share a few other things.
Confession time: I never did that January challenge. It kicked my trash. I'll blame it on the malfunctioning computer because I never even printed out the score sheet. But I've been given new goals! I'm in a women's weightlifting class with one of my best friends and it has done WONDERS for our triceps! Take that flabby Relief Society arms! So our teacher is this adorable little old man who sings us Michael Buble songs as we bust our guts doing crunches and then tells us we need to be lifting more, more, more!!! (In other words, my shoulders have absolutely no strength and he was disgusted at my wimpyness). So Mr. We-Don't-Actually-Know-His-Name gave us a challenge today: No sugar or fast food for the next month.

The fast food part really won't be hard to tackle since I don't go out much to eat and when I do it's usually because I'm craving a Blizzard from Dairy Queen (Why don't they make Blizzards with nerds candy in them anymore? Those were my cocaine on road trips as a child). The sugar will be harder. Its just something that is so easy slip up on! I just went down to my kitchen cupboard and poured my cinnamon sugar into my roommate's container of it, split up the remaining Twilight Sweethearts that I bought for Valentine's Day (Don't judge. They were cheaper than the normal ones and also really delicious!), and realized that I'm seriously going to have to pay attention to what I eat. Not like this wasn't news to me. Hello you're talking to the girl that is addicted to popcorn and cheese & crackers! (Crunching a Keebler one as we speak...)

So, that's the crap. No Ben and Jerry for me. Sorry guys. I'm seeing someone else. He's Jolly, he's green, and he's larger than the average human. Carrot sticks and raisins here I come.
Can't you just hear my enthusiasm?!!!

Resolute.

Somewhat Simple is a new blog I have just become a huge fan of and I am taking up the new challenge for the month of January. It is based on a point system and ten goals that will be posted next Sunday on the site. I'm never very good at keeping up on my own goals, so being part of a group where I am required to check in weekly and have the opportunity to win prizes would be most beneficial.

I think I'm speaking a little oddly because of an over exposure to British literature and film. Yes, Wuthering Heights is coming along quite nicely I'm now on page 260 of the Penguin Classic version with the Ruben Toledo cover. That is the picture I used on my post a while back and I just realized that I didn't mention anything about that cover. I think it quite stunning and I'll admit that it is probably what was the final motivation in my reading the novel.

I have also found a new podcast that I am infatuated with, Classic Poetry Aloud. The reader of the poems has such a soothing voice that I have taken to falling asleep to the sound of Wilde, Longfellow, and Browning. Sweet dreams to the sound of verse!

resolutions?

I'd like to marry a rugged man

And own a fluffy cat

Merry Christmas!

This was our roommate attempt at a Christmas picture in front of our kitchsy $20 Wal-Mart tree (yes we decorated it with paper airplanes and a nametag from Applebees).


Hooray for the holiday season! I'm at home lazying away and just as the clock hit midnight Charly popped in "It's A Wonderful Life" and I'd never seen it, but now I have! I'm a sucker for anything filmed in black and white. At Costco the other day I was sucked into the boxed movie collections they have on sale. Golly gee a girl could spend so much precious time in front of the TV screen! And you can see how small that screen is in our picture! Ha ha! Well who needs boxed movie sets for 50 bucks a pop when you get TCM? Make me up some taco popcorn, check the guide channel and let the snow block the door in!

(Oh wait, we tried that one night but the power went out for 3 hours! Erika and I took a dark walk to Main Street and then played cards with the boys by candle light. Much more fun than movies actually) (But I still really love movies)

*Crystal Ball Revealed*

With graduation not as far off as I had always imagined (think April) I keep getting the question, "So what are you going to do with your life huh? huh?" The only answer I can seem to give is "You know; eat, breath, sleep, read fashion magazines and check Facebook". But times have changed sister! (or brother)

This is the plan:
Buy a few packages of Rit dye in black and charcoal and apply to entire wardrobe
Fly to Paris and habitate in a dusty attic
Get a job at a corner cafe
Survive on crusty baguettes and fine cheese
Take long walks in the park and adopt a charming small dog




In other news, my cupcake obsession has not been satiated yet and this tatalizing Cupcake tour of New York was brought to my attention by a new favorite blog Magpie & Cake. New York would make a satisfactory backup plan if I fail to survive the swim across the Atlantic to France.


I can't seem to focus completely on this post because I've been engulfed in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on my iPod for the past few days. Maybe I'll complete my thoughts later. Or maybe not.


Oh yeah, and in other entertainment news (since it is new release Tuesday and all) I added Gossip Girl season 2 to my collection and saw Julie & Julia. Fantastic movie! Perhaps that is what stimulated my desire to travel abroad...

Placer Culpable

My guilty pleasures:

An ongoing list of things that are bound to bring a smile to my face and maybe a little blush to my cheeks for admitting to.

Checking my horoscope
(Today's Horoscope from Elle.com)
Your ever-expanding life needs some structure to keep growing and flowing along smoothly. Break it down to days, Libra–that way, you won’t have to waste time thinking and calculating. Pick three days of the week for exercise, one for financial upkeep, another for housecleaning, and so on. Plug those “to do’s” into your calendar with pop-up reminders. Once this skeleton is in place, you can plan your socializing without worrying that your life will implode while you’re out listening to jazz at your favorite lounge.

Taking ridiculous "What blank blank blank are you?" personality quizzes
You'd fit in best with the locals of New Jersey! You are Blair Waldorf! YOuR aUrA is PiNk!

Downloading crazy amounts of new music
I make then Good Girls Go Bad with 4 different remixes!

Shopping online and filling up an entire cart only to remove everything or close the window
Oh hello Forever21 checkout, meet my empty wallet.

Creating witty Facebook status updates in my head whenever I'm doing something fun
Elle just threw a football in the bonfire! Sorry Paul, glow-in-the dark is so 90's.

Getting 99cent Wet 'n Wild nail polishes so I can have a crazy color and not blow my budget
Which will it be? I'm Not Really a Waitress Red for $7 or 99 cent color and the new Real Simple?

Stacy's Pita Chips
Must pull hand out of bag!!!

Long showers
I nag everyone about leaving the water running when brushing teeth, washing dishes, scrubbing hands...but then I take luxuriously long hot showers. I say that I just accommodate in other areas to allow for my splurging. If only my budget patterns were as good as my water saving techniques!

YouTube
I have subcriptions to Barats and Bereta and Smosh so I can be the first to see the new videos!

See you at Adventure's Edge!

If the thought had occured to me today I would have gone into a wooded glen to punch dance out my rage. Instead I hit the elliptical for an hour and a half and read a fashion magazine.

You know that saying about life giving us lemons and making lemonade out of them? Well I've also heard that the lemonade sucks if life doesn't also hand you sugar and water. Life gave me a nice fat lemon today in the form of being fired. The sugar and water: I was planning on quitting anyway. Guess that takes away the stress of making the decision! I am now free from the anger, frustration, and complaining that was taking over my life. Don't get me wrong, I liked the job and I was extremly happy to have the extra work, but it was not ideal. Especially the management. Oh well, I may have been disposable to them but I am not a disposable person and they'll regret that decision when the new girl hired to take my place (before they told me I was getting fired) can't tell the difference between nylon and wool. Ok, so she's probably bright, but I'm trying to make myself feel better remember? I'm gonna miss those crazy boys I worked with that always smelled oddly hungover and delicious at the same time and especially my little religious back corner buddy. Luckily friendships can outlast poor mangerial choices. Later skaters!

Here's the song:

why so many weddings?

have you ever exploded with joy because you were so happy about your friends and the perfect ways that their lives were coming together??
i'm kind of feeling that right now about too many of my friends.

Welcome

Welcome to Latest Endeavor, my most recent creative project! This lovely page was inspired by 2 crappy inconsistent blogs of the past, a need for a summer project, and best of all a soon-to-come Etsy store.
I never realize how interesting my life is until I start writing everything down. It's about time I tell other people my fun stories from the day and share some semi-useful ideas.