9/11 Memorial.

While in New York, I was lucky enough to go to the 9/11 memorial that opened last month.
It was so incredibly peaceful due to the limited amount of tickets sold everyday. It was amazing to be in such a quiet peaceful place right in the middle of the city. The memorial featured 2 huge fountains in the footprints of the twin towers.
The memorial is heavily secured. We were required to show our ticket to about 6 different people and then proceed through a security check just like those at airports. Many NYPD officers stood guard around the memorial as well... they're not messin' around.

At first, while looking at the fountains and reading the names of those lives lost that day I felt no feeling at all... Until I came across this...

It was after I saw these things.. that I started to realize, these aren't just names. These are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends who never came home that day. I know we have heard about this for ten years now, but when it's right in front of you it's real.

If you ever have the chance to visit the memorial, do. It's not only a beautiful memorial site, but it is important for us to remember.

Empire State of Mind.

Have you ever had one of those days or weekends where you feel incredibly replenished and ready to take on the world?
Well, Alicia Keyes and Jay-Z.. you are right. "When you're in New York... these streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you."

In the last 24 hours...

 

I <3 NY

one more time, with feeling.

 This past weekend was a little walk down memory lane, and I loved it. I visited the original "church" where my quickly made and life-long friend Betsy and I used to spend hours talking about the world, the future, and life on a deeper level than I ever had before. Saw some people who brought back emotions from the past.. and I thought to myself how strange life is. It seems to, at least for me, be separated into chunks of time and place. Dixie, home, dixie round 2, san diego, home again, and logan. Each place and time brought completely different experiences and emotions.  Thinking back on the past few years, I have realized that things are never as bad as you think they are, and you never know what kind of person the next place will mold you into.

It's strange how a single song, smell, person, or word can make you feel an emotion. Whether it's the joy I feel when I smell coffee on my back pack from being at a starbucks for hours on end doing homework, or the strange nostalgia I feel when I hear the song I listened to on repeat for days when I lost my first love.. There's something I have realized over time, and it's that feeling is beautiful. Whether you're extremely happy and content with life, or hating it with all your heart.. the important thing is that you're feeling something and experiencing the wonder of human emotion.

[Irresponsibly young, we let go.]

This week has been so much fun. We had Big/Little Reveal for Kappa Delta, it was lovely. In sororities and fraternities all new members get a "Big," I don't really know what its exactly for.. it's just a lot of fun.
Monday and Tuesday we got presents, treats, and clues about who our potential "Big" was. Tonight we had some more clues, and treats, and all the Bigs got a pair of matching shirts for them and their little. I fell in love with my Big the second I saw the shirt she made for me... because it wasn't a shirt, it was a cardigan!!! It could not have been more perfect for me.
After we all put on our new shirts, we ran up the stairs in the house where all the active members were, and found whoever was wearing the same shirt. I was so happy when I found out my big was Courtney Robinson! Yay! She was my number one choice and I am so pleased.
This all probably sounds dumb to a lot of you, but oh well.

Me and Courtney

So, my girl Shelby made a really cool thing that I want to copy (ha ha love you girl)... she made a "vision board" of things she wants to do, see, people she wants to meet, and things to achieve. You should check out her post about it. I will start working on it and give an update later...



The one thing I could use in life right now is a JOB. I am so poor it is sick.




On another note..... I miss this babies soooo bad lately. :(  They're getting so big!

 

love post.

I love today.
I love today.
I love today.



I know everyone and their dog is posting and talking about the rain and how much they love it, but I really do. It's so amazing. On that note, I really don't like when people complain about what other people post on facebook/blog/tweet about, especially when people love something i.e- the rain. Let people love the rain! Let them be positive and express it how they wish.
Okay I'll come down from my soap box now. 



I'm just chillin at Starbucks right now listening to foreign people converse in accents. It's really quite beautiful. I love pumpkin spice season! Ahhhh I know I posted about fall last time but I really do love it and it's starting to feel even more like fall with this crisp air and light rain. 

Since I am just in the lovey mood.....

other things I love...


 1. Crossfit- Even though I pretty much dread going every day, I am always so happy after. If any of you need a new workout unlike anything you've ever tried, I recommend it! It's so great.

maybe one day I will look like this if I do it long enough....

2. Coffee Shop Study Sessions- There's nothing that makes me happier than going to a coffee shop and doing homework in the chill environment. I seriously sound like such a hipster, bahhh I'm sorry I'm really not trying to be. 

 I'm cool........

 
3. My family- I seriously cannot wait to see Joshua in like 2 and a half weeks, and Jason and his family for Christmas! Yay! I am also very lucky to live about a block away from my brother Jordan. <3 loveyoubrothas and of course mom and dad. They do so much for me, I am so incredibly lucky to have such a great family and so much support.

4. My friends and sisters- They are pretty much my family away from home, and I love them so much. We are together 24/7 and have so much fun. It never gets old being with them. loveyou.

 

5. Pinterest- It's honestly kind of disgusting how much I am on it. I have already tried to limit myself because I can get on that thing and time flies.. But I'm sure most of you know about it. It's so great!

6. Radical Face's new album "Family Tree: The Roots"
It just came out yesterday, and I am obsessed. I just barely downloaded it today and I am so giddy about it. Today is the perfect day for it, too. Yay!

7. Being Involved- I am one of those people who loves being busy. I love having things to do and being a part of something other than myself. 

8. My Mickey and Minnie Grilled Cheese Maker- you guys don't EVEN know. It is glorious. Paige and I make sandwiches all the time with that sucker and it makes them so delicious and cooked to perfection. Plus, they are shaped like minnie and mickey!

 

9. Dropbox- a fantastic way to share files, and it is SO incredibly easy. If you don't have an account, I suggest you get one. If we have the same music taste, we can share music too! 

10. Greek Yogurt- FAGE is the greatest brand, but if you can't find it.. get Brown Cow. They taste pretty similar and are the two healthiest brands of greek yogurt...without all the sugar and crap. You have to sweeten them though with Truvia/Stevia, whatev. Anyway, it's delicious.

octoba!

Wow, so I said I would post more.. I have failed you already.  My apologies.

Life has been crazy the past couple of weeks.. I feel like in Logan time is unreal. That probably doesn't even make sense, but time flies here. That's good and bad I guess.


 I can't believe it's already October! Wow.. It feels like just a week ago I was boarding a plane in January to move to San Diego. Happy October though,  I hope it is a festive and fun-filled month for everyone. I am so incredibly lucky to be living in such a beautiful place for the fall season! It sucks to know that the wretched winter is around the corner, but I try not to think about it too much and just enjoy fall :) I drove to Ogden last weekend and I spied a hint of color within the trees. It made me so happy.. I haven't experienced a Northern Utah fall, a real fall, in 2 years! I never thought I'd miss it so much. 

Sardine Canyon- seriously? we live here?

Ahhhh New York City I can't wait! My Paigey and I will be boarding a plane in less than 3 weeks. I cannot wait to see our New York fall pictures. 

I'm bummed about the Aggie loss last night :( 

I just really really really hate BYU.