2011 was...

the year I left the country for the first time.
the year I turned 21.
the year I read the Book of Mormon cover to cover for the first time.
the year I moved out of my parent's house twice.
the year I bought a car.
the year I decided on a major.
the year I was a nanny.
the year Chance came home from his mission.
the year I watched lots of friends get married, engaged, announce pregnancies, leave on missions and return from missions.
the year I did a lot of growing up.

Ch-ch-ch-changes.

In about 3 weeks time I watched 6 seasons of the best T.V show ever created: How I Met Your Mother. 

That should tell you how much time I've had on my hands. No job. No school. Just long days with me and my friend, Mr. Comfy Chair. It's been driving me C R A Z Y.

And doesn't it always seem to be that when you have the most on your mind, you have the most time to dwell on it? That's never good.

Anyways, the times are changing. My booty will not be getting near the couch time it's used to, but that's a welcome, and needed change. I got hooked up with an awesome job as the clothing manager for the local Ace. I'll be starting school in 11 days. I'm counting because I'm excited. I've finally decided on a degree so I'm very anxious to get it started with and over with. I'll be getting a bachelor in mass communication. My emphasis will be either journalism or electronic media.

It's funny how things play out. Growing up I always wanted to be a journalist. Now, about 16 mind changes later I know I definitely want to work in media. I guess that could be considered part of the whole stick-with- your-first-answer theory.

Also, I got layers in my hair and cut my bangs.
The end.

A question.

Have you ever looked at the next person your ex dates and thought to yourself, why did you even date me if that's what you wanted? How do you go from me to her? 

I guess it shows that we really weren't meant to be. 

Harry Potter. (Nerd Alert!)

I guess you could consider this post "late".

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 came out quite a while ago, but I just bought the DVD last night and watched it again. Everyone has said it, but I must repeat: I honestly feel like it was the end of my childhood as I know it. I can remember starting the very first book and being so fascinated and hooked right from the beginning. When I would finish a book there was such a strong feeling of "I literally can not possibly wait another 12-16 months for the next one to come out!" But then I would (didn't have much of a choice, did I?) and the next one was even better. Every. Single. Time. Yes, the 7th is my favorite book. I absolutely loved how everything came together.

Snape was a good guy after all. Neville was a total stud. Luna wasn't crazy (well.. maybe a little. In the good way, of course.) Ron and Hermione did love each other (I knew it!). Harry was a deeply good person that saved his enemy (Draco). Dobby made the ultimate sacrifice. Molly Weasley kicked ass. Lupin and Tonks died as proud parents. The Weasley twins although tragically separated fought courageously. Magonagall was the no nonsense badass we all know and love her as. Voldemort was deliciously evil and wrong. And  Dumbledore was as wise and wonderful as ever.

Now, the scenes from the movie that I could watch over and over are: 

Molly versus Bellatrix. 

"Not my daughter, you B****!" 

Oh Molly, you wonderful mother, you. 

The kiss. 

The book definitely did it better but I still love this scene. 

Neville. 

His speech in front of Voldemort. 

The killing of Nagini. 

Him on the bridge saying, "You and what army!" 

What a stud.

Fred's death. 

This is the saddest part of the whole entire book. Probably series and I actually wish it was longer in the movie because I think Fred deserved more 10-ish seconds. The reason I could watch it over and over is because I think it makes it very real and it's so touching. 

(Yes, I did just say his death makes the magical/fantasy world of Harry Potter seem "real". Yes, I am aware I am a huge nerd.)

The epilogue. 

Everyone with who they should be with. Everything how it should be. 

So, Thank you J.K Rowling, you genius woman.

Can you believe these colors??

I don't think I've ever experienced fall colors first hand. How sad is that sentence? Don't worry, I appreciated them very much this past week to make up for my 21 years of ignorance.

After going on a hike this past Saturday among these amazing fall leaves and failing to bring my camera I had to make a return trip to capture them before they were on the ground. Fran came along and we had a lovely ride up singing lots of gangster songs. When we got there we indulged in the inevitable photo shoot, and ended the adventure chilling in the back of the newly acquired subaru, and, in my case, eating Jimmy John's. That's what I call a good Monday night.

Boys...please don't. [part two]

Please don't:
Stare. C'mon, you're mommy taught you this one.

Please don't:
Ask super intense questions on a first date. Examples of this would be:

"What does it take to grab your attention and keep it"?

"Um..I really take notice when boys don't ask me creepy questions".

Please don't:

Ask me what I'm looking for and then proceed to try to be exactly that. I see right through you. And this isn't a superpower of mine; most girls have this same ability. And really, what is the point of this?? You wanna play a character, take drama class.

Please don't:

Try to force a goodnight kiss. If I'm not feelin' it, it's not going to be a good kiss anyway, capisce? Some hints that mean 'don't you care kiss me' are:

-If I say "It's ok, you don't have to walk me to the door". Yes, I have been this bold before. No, he didn't take the hint. Yes, he did kiss me. No, it was not a good kiss. No, I don't understand boys.

-A quick hug initiated by me, followed by an immediate turn to the door where I am putting my keys in the lock as swiftly as possible.

-The words "K, thanks again, goodnight..." That means to walk to your car. Stop lingering; it ain't happening, buddy. I'm not going to have a sudden change of heart and jump you. That's a promise.

Basically I don't want no SCRUB.

Boys... Please don't. [Part one]

Please don't:

Text me constantly. It's my absolute least favorite form of communication. It isn't charming. It isn't flattering. It's usually very boring. What to do instead: ...Call! For bonus points ask me to meet up for shakes. Person to person, spoken out loud conversation is the only way to truly get to know each other. Plus shakes are yummy. So is chocolate. So are raspberries.

Please don't:

Ask me on a date and then proceed to send me a text that reads,

"Am I picking you up?"

There is a plethora of wrong with that question. First of all, you knew I didn't have a car at the time. Would you like me to bike to the Olive Garden? I guess the upside would be that I'd have a nice appetite worked up! You'd get to see me at my finest: sweating, and ravenously hungry. What a fabulous image. Secondly, correct me if I'm mistaken, but you did ask me on a date, right? Like an actual date-date? Does date mean the same thing to you and I? This isn't New York, it's Utah. OF COURSE YOU'RE PICKING ME UP, DAMN IT. Yes, this really, truly did happen. I know. I know.  It was sad. 

Please don't:

Take my flirting as a secret message that means I want to marry you. I'm 21. Single. I flirt. It's healthy. 

Please don't: 

Take my kindness as a secret message that means I want to marry you OR that I am interested in anything besides a cordial friendship. I'm nice. I have good parents.