Remember that one time when I almost didn't come home from Texas?

Yeah, I do. It was this afternoon. I almost hopped off the plane and ran across the tarmac, back towards Jalaynie and begged her to take me back home with her. There are many factors which contributed to this insane and dangerous impulse. 

One of them is that I hate that Lucas moved Jalaynie to a completely different state that takes 3 hours by plane to visit. 

Another is that Texas, I discovered, is the LAND OF TARGET! Honestly! There were as many Target stores there as there are LDS chapels in Utah.

 It's fan-freaking-tastic. 

Yet another reason that I almost endangered my life is that the Quarry Market has the honest to goodness biggest Gap that I've ever seen. It's like my version of heaven. (I mean it's Texas...so I shouldn't be surprised that they have the biggest Gap ever. Everything's bigger in Texas, right? Yeah, it's not a joke.)

Reason #12905: Everyone is so freaking nice! I've never been complimented more in my life. For example: I was buying some nerd glasses at Forever 21 and the cashier (who I'd never met before, mind you) told me how darling I was and how I just had a good spirit about me. Who says things like that? Texans, that's who.

Reason #C: Even though the humidity did crappy things to the skin on my face, I barely had to use lotion the whole time I was there.

Reason # awesome: Two words: Panera Bread. Right?!

I will now attach some freaking incredible pictures for empirical evidence:

Yeah, that's right. The Alamo. At night. Being it's awesome self.

Two of my favorite people. Lucas doesn't like getting his picture taken. Jalaynie loves it.

Be jealous. That's Woody's Roundup from Toy Story. They were at the International Accordion Festival in San Antonio. And we went. Because that's how we roll.

A very tired, but totally red headed me in my completely legit UT shirt. I know. You thought I couldn't get any cooler and I just did. 

Basically, my fall break rocked. It was a much needed change from the humdrum life that has been mine as of late. I read, watched way too many movies, slept in every day (until 9 am!!), spent lots of money at the rockin' San Marcos outlet malls and mostly, I got to see my best friend and her awesome husband. Pretty much, I'm the luckiest kid ever.  (And a big shout out to Lauren who worked the whole break so I could go.  You're a rock star.)

Just sayin'. 

In which I get an incredible surprise...

Today was a THNGVB day. You think I'm kidding? Oh really, I'm not. This morning, I dumped an entire fountain drink on myself and the floor of an auditorium type classroom which means the liquid rushed to the front, soaking all things in it's path. Then I proceeded to drop my breakfast on the ground, rendering it inedible. After all of that loveliness, when I was finally able to feed myself (before I pulled an "Alive" and started eating my own hand), I dropped a piece of bagel slathered in cream cheese on my black shirt. Not exactly what I was going for when I got dressed this morning. If you think this is the end of my tale you are sadly mistaken. As I am walking in a very ladylike manner RUNNING down the stairs at the library on my way to work, I twisted my ankle. Being a total klutz, I should be used to that, but it hurt and now I'm limping. As I am sitting at my desk at the stadium, trying not to cry I kept thinking how I really just wanted to talk to a certain friend of mine and then I notice that my phone was ringing. Here's where I will give you a little background. I have a wonderful, amazing, incredible friend. Her name is Jalayne Orr Krieger. Basically, she's my own personal angel sent from heaven to make the my world a better place. Anyway, when I answered the phone the first thing I hear is "I love you." And of course, being me, I start to cry. And then Jalaynie starts to get a little teary and told me how she was having a terrible day and almost called me at 6 AM (which is not advisable, no matter who you are unless you want your head chewed off. I love me some sleep). The most lovely surprise is that her fabulous husband, Lucas, has to be in Salt Lake all day next Saturday and she is going to play with me!! My THNGVD turned right around. It was one of those moments where I remember how very blessed I am...

A Series of (Un)Fortunate Events...

As the title implies this weekend has been full of events. Some of them pleasant, some very unpleasant (read: car accidents, flat tires and ear infections). But at the end of it all, I've learned some pretty incredible things, one of which is that the Lord watches over all of us very carefully. Let me explain. I've been really concerned about money because I haven't been working much lately. Not because I don't want to, but because there just hasn't been much work to split between the three of us girls who work at the Stadium and the other two girls tend to hog hours. A LOT of the hours. Anyway, on Friday my boss called me into her office and told me that she needed to 'talk' to me. She had one of those ominous tones... The kind where you kinda feel like you might get fired if you're not careful. Holding my breath as I walked into her office, she told me to sit down. Then she proceeded to explain that one of the receptionists that I work with was being moved to another department and would I like to take her spot as the regular receptionist? Let me tell you, I could have easily been knocked over with a feather. So the Miracle of the Promotion was the first of a mix events that were to come to pass over the weekend.

I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days in Provo with my lovely friends. First I went to see my dear Aubrie. I love the time I get to spend with her. She always makes me feel better about my life by reminding me how wonderful she thinks I am and I look up to her in more ways than she could even imagine. Right after that, I made my way over to Roman Gardens to see Jalayne and Shelisa. I miss these girls more than life it's self. And they love me so much they took me to Sammy's right away. I've been dreaming of Sammy's fries for the last 4 months and that craving was more than satisfied. So the Miracle of the Fries came to pass. But see now we start into the part where the events become unfortunate, because Jalayne and I decided that we needed to go to the store and on the way there we kinda sorta ended up getting into a car accident. I wasn't driving, but poor Jalayne was...and her sad crumpled week old car is now sitting in front of her aunt's house waiting to be fixed. So that was the Unfortunate Event of the Accident. Between our next two events there's some partying, red lipstick, dancing and fake eyelashes (pictures to come, Liz). So anyway, this morning darling Shelisa woke Jalayne and I up by telling us that she had an ear infection, so off to Insta Care we went. First we couldn't find the one in Provo so we drove to Lindon and then they sent us back to Provo, amidst the Unfortunate Event of the Ear Infection come the Unfortunate Event of the Flat Tire, see because while we were driving into the parking lot at Insta Care there was a very loud clunking noise and Jalayne and I looked at each other and said, "Um, I think we have a flat tire." Sure enough the tire was flat as a pancake. But see here's the amazing part. My daddy, wonderful man that he is, was working at the law library in Provo and what's a daddy to do, but drive over and save his stranded daughter? So he does. And not only does he change my tire, but my wonderful daddy pays for two new front tires for my car (but along with that came the lecture about not letting my tires go bald and something about blowing out tires on the freeway...) So that is the Miracle of the New Tires.

I know this is forever long, but sometimes miracles and unfortunate events take some time to explain.

Long Weekends Rock My Socks Off...

This weekend was absolutely fabulous. It all started on Friday night when Karlie and I decided to have a hot boys movie marathon. We thoroughly enjoyed the lovely array of gentlemen we gathered at our new favorite movie renting gallery, Hollywood Video on 4th south. Saturday was a full football day, which let's be honest Karlie and I didn't mind at all. After BYU's upset, we headed back over to our movie mecca with Lindsey and found a nice thriller collection: Enough and Disturbia. We thoroughly scared ourselves before going to bed. One of our most fabulous ideas yet, if I do say so myself. Sunday brought church and an AMAZING dinner at my parents house, followed by a deliciously scary viewing of Disturbia. I was lucky enough to spend Monday morning with Aubrie and Corey in Provo, eating amazing zucchini bread and pineapple. I also go lucky enough to see Jalayne and Shelisa for a minute, and they almost made me want to move back to Provo. After a little bit of studying, Karlie and I hit Cafe Rio for dinner where we were joined by my friend Cam, who finally made it back from Canada. All in all, it was an incredibly successful weekend.

24 Great Things About Turning 24...

1. Megan and Keisha decorated my door with all the things they love about me. It was adorable and made me feel loved.
2. Mom had her preschool class call and sing me happy birthday. I go and help out there once a week or so and they know me. They were all so excited to sing, it made my day.

3. Chels made me Nauvoo syrup and pancakes for breakfast. Can you say spectacular?

4. Karlie called me from Georgia and we talked.
5. I got to wear a crown and no one could make fun of me because it was MY birthday.

6. Sharing my birthday party with Jalayne was one of our best ideas ever, she makes everything more fun, even when she has a cold.

7. I had an excuse to get all my friends together to party!
8. I went home for my traditional Argentine dinner on Sunday and it was just as amazing as last year. My parents rock at feeding all the many friends I bring home.

9. I don't have to declare myself a dependent on anything anymore because I am FINALLY a real adult (as per federal student aid).

10. My car insurance goes down.

11. 24 has always been my favorite number.

12. I'm going to graduate from college while I'm 24

13. I got to eat this cake and it was even better then it looks in the picture(if that's even possible.)

14. I got to spend all weekend sleeping on my mattress in the living room. Now to most of you this would seem like a silly idea because why pull your mattress into the living room when you have a perfectly good bedroom to sleep in, but let's be honest. There is no TV in my bedroom. No TV means no birthday Gilmore Girls and that would be a tragedy.

15. Whitney was here with me all day on Monday. I love having her come to visit me.

16. 24 feels different from 23. I know that sound odd, but it does. I like feeling 24.

17. My age is also a TV show. Cool, no?
18. My friends all know me so well that each of them gave me something different for my birthday that I wanted.

19. Thanks to Chels and Jordan, I finally own an apron. I've been wanting one for a really really long time.

20. At work they bought me bagels from Einstein's. I love Einstein's cinnamon and sugar bagels. They make me happy. :)

21. I realized how lucky I am to have the friends I do. I have been so blessed to be surrounded by good people who help me to see how much the Lord loves me.

22. Even though I know she hates talking on the phone, Aubie still called to wish me a happy birthday.

23. I had an excuse to eat an insane amount of chocolate.
and last but not least...

24. My friend Jen tells me that 24 is the hot age... what do you think?