tessallation

For the time being...

2012-01-04T23:52:00.000-08:00

Find me here: Tessallate

Worth the 18 minutes

2011-12-08T16:02:00.001-08:00

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2011-12-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas.

I know, you were expecting something more clever. But I am neck deep in reports to edit, projects to finish, and meetings to lead and organize so my brain is unable to come up with anything witty.

The good news is that I have entered the world of smartphones. I picked up my iPhone 4S last week and I'm a new person. I didn't even realize what I had been missing out on.

So, in honor of my newest achievement of graduating from my dumbphone days...here are my latest instagram pics highlighting the wintery season:

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

2011-11-28T20:18:00.000-08:00

This is one of my top favorite books ever. I cannot wait for this movie.

“Humans are the only animal that blushes, laughs, has religion, wages war, and kisses with lips. So in a way, the more you kiss with lips, the more human you are. And the more you wage war.”

“We need enormous pockets, pockets big enough for our families and our friends, and even the people who aren't on our lists, people we've never met but still want to protect. We need pockets for boroughs and for cities, a pocket that could hold the universe.”

“My life story is the story of everyone I've ever met.”

“Sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I'm not living.”
-Johnathan Safran Foer

It's Brilliant.

Thanks to give

2011-11-25T15:02:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving break I have a lot to be thankful for. Little sister is in town keeping me company and we've been partying it up with extended family in Draper. I love the holidays.

Christmas is approaching

movie nights with the friendlies

last football game of my college career

s'mores outdoors

mmm eggnog

true love?

Spain roomie love

keeping little sister away from Dan

sistersss

Carly flirted to get us this golf car ride

typical

Black Friday shopping adventures

The walks home

2011-11-17T00:47:00.000-08:00

Whit and I have this recent problem of being cheesy and nostalgic and it is carrying over to our blogs. Hence, all of the recent posts about how wonderful the people in my life are. Maybe it's because I am graduating soon and I'm realizing that we can't all live within a mile radius of one another forever. We can't always have late night talks and joke about each other's futures and text about how much we hate school. We can't drop by each other's apartments at a moment's notice. We can't meet up on campus. It doesn't last forever. I'm trying to be ok with that fact. So far, I'm not doing too well. It shows in the fact that I am slacking on homework, haven't graded the giant stack of papers on my desk, avoid checking my email, and haven't tried looking for a job. All because I just want to be with the people I love, for the glimpse of time that I can.

And these walks home get me every time.

Burn, Burn, Burn

2011-11-14T00:23:00.000-08:00

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars."

— Jack Kerouac

I have amazing people in my life. There is so much to write on this subject but I'll let Kerouac's quote speak for itself. I am lucky and blessed to have mad people in my life. I am amazed by it every day.

This is Halloween

2011-10-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

I love the month of October. For the pumpkins. For the leaves. For the haunted houses. For the crisp fall air. For getting dressed up. For scary movies. For chili. For my mom's birthday. For the ridiculous things that happen on campus.

October this year has not disappointed. (well, except for the fact that it is Halloween night and my roommates and I are all doing homework). The pictures below are from some of October's happenings. Murder mystery parties, Robert and the Carroll's at Velour (hey freshman year flashback), Sunday lunch with the boys, and sprinkle eating contests.

Happy Halloween!

Silliness

2011-10-25T01:23:00.000-07:00

Today was silly. It was full of unexpected visits, wrestling matches, singing, dancing, skyping, laughing, funny situations, inside jokes, thumb wars, and giggling like little kids.

And I remembered how much I like being silly. It's something I need in life and luckily, I have friends who will be silly with me. Friends who will lay on the carpet with me as we make fish faces at each other and make up ritual dances and forget that we have hours of homework sitting there waiting to be done. Because sometimes you are allowed to forget about that, and when you allow yourself to do so for even just a little bit...it is always worth it.

Passing moment gone

2011-10-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am in the middle of teaching 6 hours worth of labs with bags under my eyes and my hair on top of my head. Students are probably wondering what happened to their lab instructor. ha. Also, I ate wheat thins for breakfast and trail mix for lunch...both out of the vending machine. Mid-semester crisis is happening.

Anyways, here are some recent pictures of life's happenings:

Homecoming parade

Football game with the sibs

This is normal

My little Wing

Spain crew lunch

Rocky Votolato concert with two of my favs

My Red Sea

2011-10-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

Lately, anytime I think about applying for a job or emailing an organization to set up an interview I just can't bring myself to do it. I will look through websites and refuse to hit the Apply button. I will read an email and just stare at it. This whole figuring out my next step thing is paralyzing me. And then today I accidentally read the wrong talk for one of my classes.

"Of course our faith will be tested as we fight through these self-doubts and second thoughts. Some days we will be miraculously led out of Egypt --seemingly free, seemingly on our way--only to come to yet another confrontation, like all that water lying before us. At those times we must resist the temptation to panic and give up. At those times fear will be the strongest of the adversary's weapons against us.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord...The Lord shall fight for you."

"Don't fear, don't vacillate, don't quibble, don't whine. You may, like Alma going to Ammonihah, have to find a route that leads an unusual way, but that is exactly what the Lord was doing here for the children of Israel. Nobody had ever crossed the Red Sea this way, but so what? There's always a first time. With the spirit of revelation, dismiss your fears and wade in with both feet."

Half way into the talk I realized it wasn't the one that was assigned. I couldn't stop reading.

The Red Sea as seen by me on Christmas Day 2009

On a lighter note, in religion class today our professor read us some statistics saying that 10% of BYU girls and 13% of the guys think that causal makeouts are okay. Come on people...you are all in denial.

Fresh men?

2011-10-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

Well it is apparent that in my senior year of college it seems that everyone I know has reverted back to freshman-like antics...myself included. Everyday gets more out of hand than the last. Maybe it's this crazy weather (is it summer? fall? winter? come on Utah, decide already). Or maybe it's that Provo seems to get smaller every single day. You know them too? Wait, you guys know each other? Hold on...how did you hear about that? All I know, is I am overdue for a vacation.

And here is my most recent project in Backpack Journalism (aka...most ridiculous class of my life). This assignment was to film something on our cameras that was no longer than one minute. It could be anything. Here's what I got:

Reminders

2011-10-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

I've been getting a lot of reminders as to how wonderful life is lately. This gem showed up in my inbox last night:

Dear Keith,Tessa, Kulsom

NAMASKAR

Wishing all of you a very happy DASHAIN (a great festival of NEPAL 2011) . In Nepali we say VIJAYA DASHAMI KO SUKHAD UPALAXYAMA HARDIC MANGLAMAYA SHUBHA KAMANA.

I was instantly thrown into a flashback of this summer, my internship, and meeting the Ashoka Fellows. And I remembered how many great people there are in this world.

Conference Weekend

2011-10-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

Last year my Dad decided he was going to take a vacation to himself and visit me in Utah. It was so much fun. So much fun, in fact, that he came again this year and brought little brother with him.

I wrote last year about how awesome my Dad is, but I thought I would just mention it again. Because he is that great. He's my hero, one of my best friends, the best person I know, and one of the funniest people I've ever met. Of course, maybe I'm biased because we have exactly the same sense of humor. And I never get to see or talk to him, so this week is always wonderful. I picked him and my brother up from the airport on Friday and we went straight to the game, which by some miracle we won. (I think it's because my Dad is a good luck charm) We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out with extended family, watching Conference, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

And now a word on my extended family: they are amazing. My dad always takes my cousins and I to a haunted house and we end up pushing and shoving each other into the walls and monsters. We have cousin sleepovers where we watch movies and eat way too many sweets and make fun of each other until it gets to the point where someone ends up mad. My family are some of my best friends. How I got so lucky, I'm not sure.

Fall Semester

2011-09-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

Fall semester is my favorite, for so many reasons. Those include the weather, football season, trips to Dan's cabin, everyone being back together after summer, picnics, haunted houses, birthdays, bonfires, and the craziness that ensues from being in Provo.

Here's an update on some of the happenings of the first month of fall semester:

Live

2011-09-30T00:29:00.000-07:00

"I beg you…to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language.
Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer…"

-Rainer Maria Rilke

There are so many questions right now. But I have to remember to just live.

The Wind

2011-09-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

I listen to the wind

To the wind of my soul

Where I'll end up well I think,

Only God really knows

I've sat upon the setting sun

Inferno

2011-09-20T18:03:00.000-07:00

“The inferno of the living is not something that will be; if there is one, it is what is already here, the inferno where we live every day, that we form by being together. There are two ways to escape suffering it. The first is easy for many: accept the inferno and become such a part of it that you can no longer see it. The second is risky and demands constant vigilance and apprehension: seek and learn to recognize who and what, in the midst of inferno, are not inferno, then make them endure, give them space."

-Italo Calvina "Invisible Cities"

Here in my last year of my undergraduate degree, I'm realizing the little world I've built around me is full of people and things that are not inferno, even in the midst of being in one. I have no idea how I got so lucky.

So, in my senior year things have started off with late nights, churro runs, and many a freakout about what to do with life. But at least I have great people around me that make me laugh each and every day and are willing to do ridiculous things with me on the daily.

And we never know what will happen with these boys living so close

In search

2011-09-11T16:56:00.000-07:00

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kingdom of Cambodia

2011-09-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

The week before I came back to Utah I was able to visit Cambodia with my momma. I have wanted to go there forever, and my mom is the best ever and planned the whole thing for us. We took a tuk tuk around to all of the temples, ate at the same restaurant every night (so good), and got $5 massages every day. The people in Cambodia are so special. They amaze me in their determination, ambition, and happiness after years of being torn apart by the Khmer Rouge. We met so many people who have stepped on land mines and lost family, yet they haven't lost hope for a bright future. And the ruins there are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. That country is truly magical.

Dear Mom,

You are the best. You plan amazing trips. You take me on those amazing trips. You are amazing and this trip was wonderful with you.

With love,

Under the Iron Curtain

2011-08-20T00:30:00.000-07:00

My family lives in China. It's this weird thing that is completely normal to us.

I've spent the past howevermanydays (no idea how long I've been gone) being lazy. After working all summer and going non-stop, I don't feel bad at all for watching an entire season of Lie to Me and Modern Family. It's been wonderful to just chill with the family, ride mopeds around the neighborhood, go shopping in downtown Shanghai, watch movies, wear my pj's all day, and not think about anything.

Now, I'm in the Korean airport with my momma on our way to Cambodia for a week. I haven't been able to get on any form of social media thanks to China being all communist and whatnot. I'm not going to lie though...it was so nice. To go off the grid completely for a while. I never realize how desperately I need those breaks sometimes.

Another chapter

2011-08-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

I have returned from my chapter in DC and am sitting in my apartment for a brief 24 hour stint in Utah before I head out to China.

It was so weird waking up today in my own room instead of a dorm room and seeing mountains outside my window instead of buildings. It was wonderful being back in my own bed, but I miss having Georgetown a block away and going for morning runs past the White House. But, I guess this summer will be another great chapter to look back on and DC will be another place I get to miss.

It taught me so much.

"Someway, baby, it's part of me, apart from me"

2011-08-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

Last night I was up close and personal with Justin Vernon and his band, Bon Iver. It may have been one of the greatest moments of my life and hands down the best concert I've ever been to. His music just resonates with me in a way almost nothing else does, and live...well it's unexplainable. The entire audience was transfixed and hanging on every note. With a band of about 9 people, Bon Iver created an experience that reached into your soul, shook it around, and made you feel things you've never felt before.

Words just cannot describe it.

Listen to the concert recording on NPR...I have been doing so all day.

p.s.-at the end of the concert I fought to get one of the set lists, and succeeded! It's one of my favorite souvenirs I'll bring home from D.C.

Intern Love

2011-08-01T15:24:00.000-07:00

I work with 45 other interns. Somehow, we ended up with the greatest group I could have ever asked for. It is the most diverse, quirky, funny, eclectic, and driven group of individuals imaginable. And lucky for us, we are all best friends. I'm going to miss these people so much.

Photos from recent gatherings. Also, a few from the most intense kayaking trip I've ever been on. It included caving, waterfalls, tutorials, and kayaking back in the dark.

It continues

2011-07-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

It's winding down. Time here in DC is tick tick ticking away. So, it's go-time. Time to buckle down and take in everything I can, while still completing projects for work and writing papers for school.

This past week I've been keeping busy over here on the East Coast, with birthdays, conferences, parties, and events.

Dear Alex turned 24, so naturally we celebrated at Cheesecake Factory

Andrew and I had food babies afterwards

It was a ridiculous night

The jokes just kept comin

We got to spend Monday at work in a nice corporate building for an event. Ah, the differences between non-profit and for-profit.

We couldn't get enough

And celebrated after

And said goodbye to Yoseph

Some friends of mine have this rooftop pool, in which I watched the sunset tonight over DC

And this is the biggest pizza of our lives

And that is life at this moment.

Photobooth

2011-07-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

Whether it's with intern friends or family, photo booths are always worth the few dollars.

My Natural State

2011-07-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

I grew up in a small town. A town with a confederate soldier in the square. A town with my favorite Thai restaurant. It's a place where roadkill and fireflies line the roads. Where trees overtake everything, bales of hay dot the fields, and Walton Blvd is the main drag. And it's a place with some of the kindest people you'll ever meet. Oh how I've missed those southern accents.

This past weekend I got to go back for a few days for the first time in two years. And I remembered why Arkansas still holds a huge chunk of my heart. The Ozarks will forever remain one of the most beautiful places in my eyes. And the people, well, there's just no one like 'em.

So here's a few glimpses at my small-town, redneck roots:

Yes, I'm in the marching band. No, I'm not embarrassed.

One of my favorite places

The day we all left for college

river rats

Back then and now, Harry Potter with this girl. Of course.

And I got to see these two. Here we are years back.

And here we are in China.

And here we are now, in Branson.

I also got to see this boy. The picture is old, but I forgot to get a new one.

The Natural State.

The FamBam

2011-07-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my family invaded DC. Lucky for me they were staying at a hotel next door so I got free breakfast every morning and I got to chill with them every minute I wasn't at work. My aunt and cousins drove down from Jersey for a few days as well to join in the festivities.

Conceived in Liberty

2011-07-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

The Barlow Center interns ventured up to Gettysburg and Harper's Ferry on Saturday. Both places were beautiful, I fell in love with Abe, and I got in touch with my southern roots at General Pickett's Buffet.

showin Abe some love

Gettysburg

besties

oh Cardell

Probs supposed to be paying attention to a tour

Bridge to Maryland

oh hi my roommate is beautiful

love

Awkward

Heaven

VA Beach

2011-06-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I headed off for a much anticipated retreat to Virginia Beach with several other interns from Ashoka, as well as Michelle, of course.

We drove, set up camp, and hit the beach. Three car loads of us bonded over s'mores, beach volleyball, and getting in touch with nature. I love these people.

After returning, we all showed up at work the next day tired and sunburnt, but knowing it was well worth it.

Boston

2011-06-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

Last week my work flew me up to Boston for the MIT and Knight Foundation's Future of Civic Media Conference. It's hard to put into words how I felt during the whole thing and it's way too long to explain everything and let's be honest, people really only want short quotes and pictures so I'll keep it brief.

An excerpt from thoughts I wrote down while there:

"I sat back today and was alarmed by how comfortable I am here. I’ve never been to Boston, I don’t know anyone, I’m the youngest person there, and yet somehow I feel right at home. And I can’t decide if it’s the nature of the work or the International Fellows I am surrounded by. I’ve been so caught up in everything that I’ve almost forgotten about things in my “real life.” And I suppose that’s ok for a few days, to get lost in something in order to soak it all in and somehow come out changed."

My supervisor blogged briefly about the conference. He summed it up perfectly: http://knowledge.ashoka.org/node/4989

"They're meaty issues, indeed. And complicated, which is part of the fun. And vitally important, which is why all our Fellows are in the game."

Roomie reunion

2011-06-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

I have a bajillion things to blog about, but this one is about dear Whitters. She came to DC last week and we saw each other for the first time since her Spanish adventures. We had long chats with Hannah and Audrey over dinner at Serendipity, caught up on each others lives, and watched an outdoor movie. It was good to be able to de-brief again, it had been too long.

Free as we'll ever be

2011-06-21T17:17:00.000-07:00

This past weekend my best friend got married. She was beautiful, the reception and luncheon were perfect, and it was a perfect few days in Utah. Now, getting there was a different story. A long, dramatic story about me being late for the wedding and missing my last night together with Jordi, but I'll spare you the sad details. Instead I'll post happy pictures of how pretty her wedding was.

It was so fun to be back with everyone and to tag along with her and Brady all day (they couldn't get rid of me). The next day in Salt Lake was spent with my boys at Lagoon and dinner at the Red Iguana. We finished the night up with ice cream and late night talks at Blake's.

These streets will make you feel brand new

2011-06-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

Before I set off on another weekend adventure (jetsetting to Utah tomorrow...more on that when I get back), I need to recount my trip to New York. Alex and I decided last minute to buy bus tickets up north to visit some friends in the comms program. And it was just what I needed.

In true dorky/tourist fashion, we busted out the ipod when we saw the city lights and started singing along to "Empire State of Mind." It started the trip off on the perfect foot. Tori was the best tour guide I could have asked for. She first took me to the one place I've always wanted to go, The Brooklyn Bridge. We stood underneath it, stared at the skyline, and blabbed on and on about our internships. The next day was full of Broadway, food, Staten Island Ferry, food, Times Square, Wall Street, food, street markets, Little Italy, China Town, Grand Central Station, and more food. Honestly, that city knows how to eat.

List of famous people I saw:

Daniel Radcliff (childhood dream come true. also, he is so cute on Broadway)

Bono (down the row from me at the show. omg!! sunglasses and all)

Harry Reid (oh you know, at church)

Elder Perry and Elder Cook (again, church in New York=awesome)

And I also ran into friends from school throughout the weekend. "Oh hey, you're in New York too?" Yeah, it's a big city and I know people walking down the streets. nbd.

So here are the pictures of my weekend in the concrete jungle. There's something about that place that leaves me wanting more. New York hasn't yet had the time or chance to chew me up and spit me out.

Emphasis: Print Journalism

2011-06-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, I sat in a "Principles of Journalism" class. I didn't know anyone and I had no idea what to expect. In that class I met Tori and Alex. Since then, we got accepted into the program, wrote for the Daily Universe, worked as TA's and editors, and became friends. And not just the "hey I'll see you tomorrow in class friends," but real honest to goodness influence your life friends. One of the best things the communications program has given me is the people.

These first pictures were taken at Chili's (naturally) after we got accepted into the program.

And these are from the past weekend in New York when Alex and I took the Megabus to visit Tori. She has been a rockstar at The Daily news for the past few months and is ending her crazy internship today.

Looking back on the beginning of our journalism journey I can't help but laugh. Laugh at what we were getting into. We've come a long way, we've learned a lot, and we have gotten to share it with each other. And that's something I wouldn't change for the world.

Ethnic Thursdays

2011-06-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

With 45 interns in an international office, I have quite the diverse group of colleagues. And with everyone being entrepreneurial, we have events planned for almost every day of the week. After getting a group together for Ethiopian food last week, ethnic Thursdays were born. We try a new authentic style from someone's home country each week. Tonight, Tony took us for chinese.

This table covers 5 continents, 8 countries, a number of religions, and who knows how many languages.

Dear Mr. President,

2011-06-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

Thank you for inviting me to the welcome ceremony for the Chancellor of Germany this morning. It was great to see you up close and personal for the first time. You sure know how to greet people in style.

Sittin on the dock of the bay

2011-06-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

Well it's time for another weekend-o-fun update.

Jazz in the park

Tony and I instantly bonded when I found out he was from Shenzhen

236th ward reunion at a Weezer tribute band concert

sibs

Adams Morgan by night

America

Waterfront at Old Town Alexandria

This city is treating me well. Every day, every weekend, every week is exciting.

Thoughts for the soul

2011-06-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

This blog has recently turned into "Tessa's adventures in DC" and I haven't included much besides pictures and their captions.

But, I have been experimenting with Tumblr for a place to compile my favorite videos, quotes, and pictures that inspire me or move me. So that's where I'm storing a little piece of my soul these days.

In other news, littlest sister just sent me this. It is the most compelling science video I've ever watched. I love my fam.

It all started Friday

2011-05-30T20:58:00.000-07:00

We started this weekend's adventures on Friday when we went out to pick up Alex's bestie, Jesse from the airport. We took the wrong metro and ended up in a way sketch part of town, finally got to the airport, waited around for a while because Jesse was delayed, and ended up eating an...interesting? meal at TGI Fridays in the airport.

The next day I met up with this girl:

Who I met in the 5th grade, we became inseparable, she became a sister to me, and this is the longest I've gone without seeing her.

We then met back up with the friendlies and took an adventure on the Potomac River.

Sunday we headed over to the Capitol for the Memorial Day Concert where we saw Kris Allen, BB King, and other famous people. Most patriotic day of my life so far.

And then Memorial Day rolled around. We got the day off of work and took what felt like a mini vacation. Jesse and Alex gave us their room key to the hotel and Michelle and I spent the day laying by the pool and watching TV. I am now a lobster, but it was so worth it.

And tonight before we said goodbye to Jesse we headed out on a walk down my favorite path.

And that is why my Memorial Day weekend was wonderful.

Good Afternoon

2011-05-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

As an intern, I have to find ways to maximize my time here in DC. Between school and working, it's hard to get my tired body out into the city. But, after a month of living here I'm figuring it out. It consists of going straight to museums and concerts right after work. It consists of never being home. It consists of exploring. It consists of bringing comfy shoes to switch into so I can walk long distances. And it consists of finding a balance between comfortable clothes and business attire.

After work activities have included Nat's games, Library of Congress, National Gallery of Art, Kennedy Center concert series, and Jazz in the Park. Weekend updates will soon be coming, but now I'm off to enjoy a blistering Memorial Day.

The Fellows

2011-05-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of my internship is interviewing the fellows. Ashoka has about 3,000 fellows, but I focus on a group of 30 within News and Knowledge. I've gotten to interview 3 so far, one in Colombia, one in Senegal, and one in Chile. After each interview, I fall in love. I fall in love with their projects, passions, drive, ambition. They are heroes. And their coolness factor is off the charts. I really can't get over it. They inspire me.

Check them out on our website:
http://knowledge.ashoka.org/

City of Brotherly Love

2011-05-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday, we spent the day hittin up the city of Philly. We saw Edgar Allan Poe's house, the Love park, City hall, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, and ate philly cheesesteaks (nom nom nom). What a patriotic day.

One of my favorite parts was finding this guy in the park. He just loves Jesus.

Summer Camp

2011-05-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I jumped onto a bus, along with the 40 or so other Barlow Center interns. We thought that we were being bused up to Philadelphia for the weekend...however, we quickly figured out that this weekend was going to be very different than we thought once we arrived at the Freedom Foundation in Valley Forge and found out we wouldn't be leaving until the next day. It was summer camp...as 20somethingyearolds.

We spent the first hour mocking our situation in hopes of making it bearable. We explored our sleeping situation...which was creepy/scary/old. We toured Valley Forge, ate in the cafeteria, had impromptu dance parties, and didn't get any sleep.

It's a good thing we are able to laugh at our situation, or that little field trip would have been a different experience.

Matching...didn't even plan it

such jokesters

so patriotic

Family pick at the ranch

Could it be any prettier?

Couldn't sleep in this place

Freedom Foundation

Chillin in the creepy church

Andrew giving us a sermon

Friday night at summer camp as a college kid, what a funny experience.

Mary Land of Opportunity

2011-05-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

I know all I blog about these days is DC, but today you're in for a treat. The pictures today are brought to you from the far land of Maryland.

So fresh, so green. Bestie Brent was in town so we wandered up to Potomac to get away from the city.

I can't get over all of the trees.

Several pictures stolen from Mitch's camera, Big Mama.

I still don't know what to expect from this city

2011-05-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

"Experience: the most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn." -C.S. Lewis

#DClivin

2011-05-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

A week after moving here, I'm now starting to feel like a local. It's been a week of exploring, adjusting, and learning. And there's a lot more of that to come.

I live in the nation's capitol, but sometimes that doesn't seem real. Sometimes in the morning when I get ready for work and take the metro to Rosslyn, Virginia, I feel like I'm playing pretend. Like I'm pretending to be grown up and pretending to know what I'm doing.

Luckily I've got some of my besties here pretending with me.

"Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than these people are to be free"

2011-05-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

The Jefferson Memorial is magical. There is no other way to describe it. Especially at night.

The beginning

2011-05-04T19:02:00.000-07:00

I am currently the newest intern at Ashoka, one of the coolest organizations in the world. I am a part of the News and Knowledge team and am getting into the groove of how everything operates around here. It's so different from any other association and it's difficult to explain just how it all works. Mainly, I'm learning that Ashoka is a living thing. It moves, breathes, and exudes change. It's independent and innovative just like everyone that works there. And it's all to find ways to change the world. Just plain cool.

First day of work

Flattering photos at wing night

U.S.A.!!

2011-05-01T22:49:00.000-07:00

Tonight, as a few of us Barlow Center residents sat in the basement watching a movie, we got word of Osama Bin Laden's death. So, naturally we turned on the news and after a few minutes of debating we decided that we would be dumb if we didn't go to the White House.

We literally ran there and arrived on the scene just in time. Thousands of people were flocking the back of the White House with flags, yelling, high fives, and singing patriotic songs. We couldn't stop laughing and smiling as we made our way through the crowd. Also during the celebration I met David Arquette! He asked me my name and everything...so cool. Walking home was entertaining as well, with all of the cars honking and everyone hanging out of their windows.

Tonight made history, and I can't believe that I was here in the capitol to experience it. What a way to start off the summer.

Here's to America!

The District-Day one

2011-04-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

After months of applying, preparing, and interviewing I have finally arrived in D.C. I get to live in an incredible location with great people while working in a vibrant city. I can already tell, this will be a summer of adventures.

Day one consisted of buying a metro card, grocery shopping at Watergate (NBD), finding my way to the mall and capitol hill, and exploring the Georgetown scene by night.

There is so much to see and do here, it's almost overwhelming.

And the trees, the trees make everything so green.

Subconscious catch-up

2011-04-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

With all of my roomies gone, the apartment is pretty quiet. Thus, I've been getting plenty of sleep. And by plenty, I mean way more than average. As in sleeping for 9-10 hours at night and then falling asleep on the couch for 3 hours again when I try and read.

I'm thinking this is my body's way of catching up on sleep that I lost during the semester. And storing up on the sleep that it subconsciously knows I won't be getting once I arrive in DC. I've got 1.5 more days to store up. Back to the couch it is.

One year anniversary

2011-04-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

One year ago I got onto an airplane to Madrid, Spain. At the time, I had no idea that I would meet some of my best friends. I didn't know that my host family would become real family. I didn't know that I would explore a culture that is full of life. I didn't know how captivated I would be by it's beauty. I didn't know that it would change my life. And I didn't know that I would miss it the way I do.

I can't even explain how much I yearn to be back there. In the Media Pinta watching the World Cup. Sitting on trains telling stories. Trying to find comfortable positions on the buses. Laughing until we cried in the hotels on weekend trips. Chatting with my host fam for hours over some of the best meals I've ever had. Getting in silly fights with the crew because we spent 24 hours a day together and ran on practically no sleep. Having so many inside jokes that it was ridiculous. Eating so much chocolate, and breaking all of the rules.

6 members of that study abroad group remain like family to me. We regularly get together for reunions where we retell stories over and over and wish we were back. We work together, go on adventures together, and remain "the Spain crew." Heck, we are infamous within the study abroad groups. Whit's heard stories about us from her director and past participants.

I don't think anything will ever compare to those two months of magic.

And here we are a year later:

Dear Whitney,
You left for Spain today. I'm so jealous and so excited for you. You're about to live the dream.
Con Amor,
Tessa

All work and no play?

2011-04-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

This past semester I worked as an editor at The Daily Universe. I spent 12-4 everyday editing articles, putting pages together, and hanging out with my friends. I had a wonderful co-editor who I became dear friends with. We played pranks, had ridiculous "interviews" with our reporters, and blog stalked together all day long. I got to travel to both the West and East Coast thanks to this job and had a blast. The newsroom was my second home, and the people in there with me everyday are gems. They are hilarious, genuine, and talented. At the end of the semester we had a party with awards (most were inside jokes) and yummy food. We also got a group of us together for Space Camp, which may have been one of my favorite activities of the year. Slightly embarrassing, but totally worth it.

The Best

2011-04-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you friends for being the best. For eating Greek food with me for hours as we talk about life and everything it entails. For swapping music with me. For being incredible and hilarious. For being exactly what I need and who I need in my life.

I love the time of the semester right after finals when we are all free. Free to just sit and enjoy each other's company.

Coming home to this after a long delayed flight last weekend is just more proof of how lucky I am.

And so it is

2011-04-21T00:38:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight I finished my junior year of college. I ended it with a law final where I came out with my right hand cramping from the essays, but it felt great. And now, just bare with me while I reminisce on this last semester.

It has been, by far, the most intensecrazybusyrollercoasaterride of a semester. There has never before been a semester as jam-packed as this one. But, I can say that I have grown so much. I have made wonderful new friends and continued friendships with the people I am lucky enough to have by my side at all times. I have travelled more than any other semester (Vegas, San Fran, and New York). I have learned about myself and become more comfortable with who I am and want to be.

So it's on to senior year. Here we go.

On repeat

2011-04-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

The Big Apple-Day 3

2011-04-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

The last day in New York was rainy (I'm still stuck in the airport because of storms), but exhilarating. We slept in and woke up giggling because the room was so cold and we could not, for the life of us, get out of bed. When we finally did, we went to Starbucks with our gift cards that we won from the New York Times for traveling the farthest. We then showered up and hopped onto the subway to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty. After viewing one of our country's biggest landmarks, we walked up to Ground Zero where I was almost moved to tears. We then headed uptown to meet up with David Bornstein. This was one of the most exciting parts of the trip for me, as he has inspired me in unexplainable ways and what he does with solution journalism amazes me. I also got to meet Amber Rae who was there with him. She is incredible. This meeting was all a dream come true and I'm now helping write a career guide to Social Entrepreneurship. I could shed tears of excitement right now.

For a more detailed account of the trip hit up Cait's blog: The Caits Meow
Luckily, she is a much more patient blogger than me. Plus, she's hilarious. And I'm so glad I got to share this magical experience with her.

Dear New York,
You haven't seen the last of me. See you soon.

The Big Apple-Day 2

2011-04-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

The second day in New York was a dream. We woke up, put on our most professional outfits, grabbed breakfast at a bakery, and then found ourselves walking into the New York Times. We spent a good part of the day at a conference there with other student editors from around the country. We were given advice from reporters and editors of the New York Times and I left wanting to come back. Someday.

After the conference we were hungry, and of course had to stop by the gyro stand again. We spent the rest of the day being tourists. It was our lucky day, as we walked into the MOMA and found out it was free that night. We talked about art and inspiration as we walked around the different exhibits and bought wonderful trinkets there. At the end of the night, we were exhausted and hit the hay to rest up for our last day in the city.

The Big Apple-Day 1

2011-04-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend has been life changing. I'll start at the beginning.

Caitlin and I arrived in New York City and caught a cab to our hotel-Night. It was right off of Times Square and quite...cozy. The pictures will explain.

We then began exploring. We had gyros from a roadside stand (to die for) and walked right onto 5th avenue where we ventured into H&M, my favorite. Next, we hit up Times Square and then headed to Junior's for authentic cheesecake and decided to finish the night off with an adventure to the top of the city, the Empire State Building.

It was a perfect first day in New York, and considering we did all of this after 7pm, it was definitely jam-packed. By the end of Day 1 I had only been in the city a few hours and I was already in love.

Music

2011-04-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Music. It's something that I have a hard time writing about, because I don't know how to put my feelings for it to words.

I grew up listening to Broadway musicals on road trips with my mom, taking piano lessons, dancing for as long as I can remember, and playing the flute in band. I've always loved music, in all of its forms. Growing up in a small town, music would entertain us for hours and bring us together in unexplainable ways.

There are certain bands that me remind me of myself at different times in life. And certain songs that still get me. Every time. And some songs will throw me mentally back into an exact moment of time. Like listening to Ben Gibbard on the way to the Brand New concert. Or falling asleep to Iron and Wine while living with Caty during the summers. Or Mumford and Sons during bus rides through the Spanish countryside. Or hearing "The Ghost of Corporate Future" by Regina or "Title and Registration" by Death Cab because they were the beginning of it all.

Music is bonding. You can talk about it for hours and when you find people that share your same love of music it's enthralling, relieving even. To know that they feel the same way you do when listening to certain albums.

And how music defines us. And teaches us. And shows us. And never ceases to amaze us. It's one of the only things that can cross cultures. One of the only things that we can all relate to. And that alone, is incredibly impressive.

I love discovering music and listening to it over and over and over until I am familiar with it. Until it becomes a part of me. And mix cd's...well those are exciting for everyone. Sharing a part of yourself with others by giving them a playlist. Or finding out about a person by listening to the 15 songs they chose to put together on a cd. It is just wonderful.

Newest discovery:

Thanks music@10.

Things that are creepy

2011-04-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to fall asleep and looking up at my ceiling to see this:

Thank you to roommate Whitney's little brother for this incredibly disturbing message that for some reason I still haven't taken down.

Big Apple state of mind

2011-04-07T23:29:00.000-07:00

Today I found out that in less than a week the Daily Universe is sending me to NYC with my coworker Caitlin. We will have 5 days to explore, visit alumni working at newspapers and magazines, and attend a conference here:

via.

Reason 3,574 why I love being a journalism major.

in time of daffodils

2011-04-06T23:53:00.000-07:00

in time of daffodils(who know

the goal of living is to grow)

forgetting why,remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim

the aim of waking is to dream,

remember so(forgetting seem)

in time of roses(who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me

-e e cummings

It's supposed to snow this weekend. So I'm posting about Spring in efforts to deter the storm.

Thought of You

2011-04-01T00:03:00.001-07:00

One month

2011-03-29T23:15:00.000-07:00

In exactly one month I will be in this city:

Living in this building:

Sharing a room with this girl:

And working with this organization:

Am I ready?

Sisters

2011-03-27T00:33:00.000-07:00

Due to time changes and busy schedules, I rarely get to talk to my family. But when I do, it's always full of ridiculous stories and laughs. Tonight, I was up late on a Saturday which is perfect timing to talk to my sisters after they are back from church (they live in the future). My littlest sister just got her wisdom teeth out, so that left us lots to giggle about. Along with stories of my brothers infected thumb that just popped with green goo and Coryne's anticipation of college.

I can't wait to see them in real life this summer.

Pieces

2011-03-24T00:14:00.000-07:00

"Does it break my heart, of course, every moment of every day, into more pieces than my heart was made of, I never thought of myself as quiet, much less silent, I never thought about things at all, everything changed, the distance that wedged itself between me and my happiness wasn't the world, it wasn't the bombs and burning buildings, it was me, my thinking, the cancer of never letting go, is ignorance bliss, I don't know, but it's so painful to think, and tell me, what did thinking ever do for me, to what great place did thinking ever bring me? I think and think and think, I've thought myself out of happiness one million times, but never once into it."

— Jonathan Safran Foer

Sweet Sixteen

2011-03-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Basketball team:

Thank you for being awesome this year. And advancing to the sweet sixteen. And making this season so memorable.

In honor of this momentous season, the roomies and I all bought Jimmer jerseys.

Emma is not in the pic, but don't worry...she had hers on

And I went to welcome the team home at the airport, along with several other provo residents.

It's a good time to be a Cougar

My best friend and her new best friend

2011-03-20T01:49:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned Jordi several times on this blog. She is my best friend.

I met Jordan approximately three years ago when she started dating one of my good friends. Our roommates were both on the fence about the living situations the next year, and so she invited me to live with her on a whim. Neither of us knew each other but we knew that we had so many mutual friends that it couldn't be horrible living with each other, right? So randomly, we moved into Liberty Square and became roommates. From the first day, we couldn't shut up. We talked all night long every night. And that's only the beginning of our friendship. Over the past two years we have been put on behavioral contracts, ended up in the ER because of a dare, backpacked around China, travelled to Georgia, roadtriped to St. George, laughed until we cried, gone on midnight adventures, had a ridiculous amount of embarrassing moments, helped each other through heartbreaks, cheered each other on, volunteered together, and built a friendship that I cherish so much. Her family has become my family. My family is her family. And for the past few days I've been able to help her now fiance plan their engagement.

I had to steal a ring of hers so we would know her ring size, secretly text Brady, drive all around Provo with Brady and Jordan's siblings trying to find the perfect spot, and making sure that the whole time she had no idea. So this morning, while she was taking a test, Jake, Caylie, and I drove up to a park. We saw the perfect gazebo and Jake (being the bravest person I know) went up to the gate of this mansion and asked if we could use the gazebo for the proposal. Luckily they said yes. Little did we know, that gazebo belongs to Stephen Covey. NBD. We figured it out when he was giving us a tour of his house and we saw pictures of him on magazine covers, pictures of him with the president, and pictures of buildings named after him all over the walls.

Anyways, the proposal was beautiful and my best friend is about to embark on a crazy new part of her life. And I'm so excited for her and Brady. And I just wanted to congratulate them. Because they mean the world to me, and even know I won't be able to crawl in Jordan's bed at night when I need to talk or steal clothes from her closet every day...I know that she couldn't be happier right now. And that makes me the happiest.

Dear Jordi,

I can't wait to see what your life brings next. Thank you for being my best friend. The sitcom continues...

Teenage Angst

2011-03-16T22:41:00.000-07:00

I've been talking recently with some friends about the songs that define our teenage angst. We all have the playlists that define our high school selves, and I thought it would be fitting to include a playlist of mine.

1. Seventy times Seven-Brand New
2. Fatlip-Sum 41
3. Bleed American-Jimmy Eat World
4. Mr. Brightside-The Killers
5. Control-Name Taken
6. Seven Years-Saosin
7. Alive with the glory of love-Say Anything
8. There's no 'I' in team-Taking Back Sunday
9. Konstantine-Something Corporate
10. The way we get by-Spoon
11- Rockin the Suburbs-Ben Folds
12-Mix Tape-Brand New

So there's my dose of angst. Begins and ends with Brand New, as it should.

Back in school they never taught us
what we needed to know
Like how to deal with despair
or someone breakin your heart...

So is that what you call a getaway?
Well tell me what you got away with
Cause I've seen more spine on jellyfish
I've seen more guts in eleven-year-old kids
Have another drink and drive yourself home
I hope there's ice on all the roads
And you can think of me when you forget your seatbelt
then again when your head goes through the windshield

Spring fever

2011-03-13T23:21:00.000-07:00

Spring is emerging, and it is wonderful. The past few days the sun has graced the town of Provo and it has changed everyone. Everyone has come out of the woodwork and are now lining lawns and sidewalks with picnics, games of catch, and porch sitting. We forget about our homework and instead ride bikes for hours. It is magical.

Hangin out between our two favorite houses.

Goliath Days

2011-03-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

Some days I wake up scared. Scared of how I am going to get everything done and make it out alive.

Today...was one of those days. I woke up with meetings, an internship interview, work, a quiz, and a giant mid-term hanging over my head. But, I knew I just had to take it one thing at a time.

And you know what? Today was a fantastic day. I woke up to my roommate making chocolate chip pancakes, had a great interview, owned my quiz, had a surprise pizza party with old friends in the newsroom, got through my meetings, took my mid-term (not-so-sure how that went just yet ha), got Sonic with my roomies, and laughed. a lot. Oh and saw that I made a debut in this little gem:

So I am grateful for this scary day. Because I made it through. And came out on top.

Kindred

2011-03-08T22:32:00.000-08:00

This was posted to my Facebook a few days ago. I can't stop listening to it. It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

Livin the dream

2011-03-07T18:34:00.000-08:00

Wednesday morning I piled into a van with 6 other people and drove 12 hours to San Fran. I was traveling with co-workers from the Daily Universe and we were sent down to do stories on 3 WCC schools. We spent the days wandering campuses, falling in love with Stanford, interviewing provosts and student government leaderships, and getting hooked up with free lunches. It was a reminder that yes, I am a journalist. And yes, I somehow can pull off getting every interview I need plus more. And yes, I love it.

At night, we explored the city. We visited the touristy places, but also ended up in sketchy parts of town playing in a dart tournament. We braved the city buses and took BART across the city. We frolicked in the warm weather and shared funny stories.

And somehow we got the coolest group that went.

It was a much needed trip. And an incredible experience in journalism.

Photos taken by myself and other members of the crew. Our main photographer was this lovely girl:

Carolyn

A dream aloud

2011-02-23T20:24:00.000-08:00

I've blabbed about Dowser and David Bornstein several times on this blog. And it's mainly because David is awesome (yes, we are on a first name basis). And what he has done with Dowser is a dream of mine. So working with him has been such a privilege.

Last semester I worked with a team on interviewing different social entrepreneurs around the U.S. and Canada. I spent hours uploading everything onto their website, but we didn't know if they would actually use our project.

Yesterday, we found out that they did. And it was so cool to see my byline on Dowser.org. Today they posted another one. I've been giddy with excitement.

Check it out.

Dowser

Dear Mr. President,

2011-02-23T00:16:00.000-08:00

Thank you for President's Day. It allowed me time to go to Vegas with some of my best friends and enjoy the warm weather.

We got some good laughs out of this trip. And some new clothes. And a minor heart attack when I came home, checked my e-mail and realized that it's straight back to school and work for me.

But, for the weekend I didn't think about anything other than being in Vegas. And how lucky I am to have wonderful friends to make memories with.

Major love

2011-02-17T20:49:00.000-08:00

There are some days when I know that I chose the perfect major for me. I had two experiences in the last few days where this was confirmed.

1. My comms law professor stopped in the middle of class, opened the door, and surprised us with pizza and drinks.

2. My comms 301 professor showed us YouTube videos of texting abbreviations sung by 13 year old girls.

It's these moments where I just think to myself...why would I want to be in any other major? Plus, it fits me perfectly. We do projects and papers rather than tests. The professors are chill. We have awesome internship opportunities. And, so much of what we do is based on gaining experience, rather than studying for tests. I need a major where I can be hands on. I need to be in an environment where I can be creative and around people that make me laugh. So for me, journalism is the perfect fit. And even if I don't end up working for a magazine or paper (which I probably won't), I like what I'm doing in college. And I like that the door is wide open for different opportunities. Because who knows where I'll be next year or what I'll be doing. And I'm fine with that.

Pics from the newsroom

TEDx

2011-02-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I got to go to TEDxBYU...which was even better than I had hoped for. On Friday I got to listen to social entrepreneurs from around the country talk about their stories and give us advice for 3 hours. Their stories were inspiring and incredible and made me want to just go change the world. It also helped that I had some great friends there with me, all of who are changemakers and involved in awesome projects.

Social entrepreneurship is that thing that gives me goosebumps. When I'm around these people there's some kind of electricity in the room and I walk away knowing that I belong there.

On Saturday I got to take two of the speakers to the airport. The two women that I got to spend an hour with in the car were so cool. I think that's the best word I can use to describe them. Just plain cool. One is a lawyer and the other has an MBA and both have travelled and started incredible projects.

I want to someday be considered that cool.

Fredette about it

2011-02-05T17:03:00.000-08:00

I love watching BYU basketball games this season. Mainly because we dominate. And Jimmer is owning everyone's lives.

And I love watching the games with some of my besties.

Can't wait to go to Vegas with these boys. The two week countdown has begun!

I'm in need of a southern sunset

2011-02-04T22:58:00.000-08:00

I need something to take my breath away.

Wear me down

2011-02-02T23:46:00.000-08:00

This semester is pushing my limits. How much can I pack into one day? I'm quickly finding out.
Outline of my day today:
8:45-walk to campus is the frigid cold
9-meeting with Adam (SSE co-president)
9:30-watch video for World Religions
11-class
12-4-work
4-meeting with one of my team leads
6-8:30-class
Then I come home and crash.

On the agenda tomorrow:
Collaboration lunch, work, class, and a conference call to New York with David Bornstein.

But hey, at least I'm busy with good things. And I've got my moleskin to keep me on track.

Burning

2011-02-02T22:58:00.000-08:00

So the other day Jordan and I found ourselves sitting at our kitchen table, each holding one of the world's hottest chili peppers. Jordan had made a deal and I joined in. Here's what happened:

Sometimes

2011-01-20T00:17:00.000-08:00

I have this constant internal struggle and I can't get rid of it.

My life has been full of incredible people and perfect moments and unperfect moments. And when I allow myself to look back on my growing up years in Arkansas my heart breaks. And when I allow myself to think about my senior year in China, my heart breaks. And when I allow myself to look back on my time in college so far, my heart breaks. And it is because I know I can't have any of these moments back. I can't sneak out and watch as one of my dearest friend paints the town with words. I can't experience the magic of snow days. I can't climb skyscrapers in China. I can't walk the streets of Shekou like they are mine with my friends from around the world that were all thrown together in a tiny international school. I can't relive my experiences in Spain. I can't live with and around incredible people my age forever. I can't go to school forever. And I can't live any of my days here at college over again.
And as lucky as I am to have these experiences, it's weird that my life keeps changing so quickly. And my struggle is that the change is good and necessary to "growing up", whatever that means.
And I know that if I didn't have this change I wouldn't appreciate the past and present as much as I do. I'm just learning to handle the daily heartbreak. Because everyday I'm amazed at how lucky I am. And sometimes I'm afraid it's all downhill from here.

Photo in Bentonville's town square fountain. And yes, behind us is a confederate soldier statue that reads "To the southern soldiers." I love my hometown. And how we lived in a novel.

And again

2011-01-16T00:10:00.000-08:00

So here I find myself in my sixth semester here at college. (That freaks me out a little, ok a lot)

And I'm diving into another winter of trying not to slip on the ice and bracing myself for the cold every time I step outside. But I'm trying to focus on the things that warm my life. Like my wonderful job, my hilarious family, classes I'm excited about, working more closely with The Ballard Center, and of course my friends.

Here in the Pent we started the semester off with a girls night out.

Oh, and the mountains tend to take my breath away in winter. I often find myself on my couch just staring at this:

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.

~Ruth Stout

Down in Africa

2011-01-08T00:09:00.000-08:00

I am overdue in posting about my adventures in Namibia. Since my return I've had a hardcore case of jetlag and school/work aren't helping. So I've spent my free time catching up on sleep.

Anywho, my Christmas break was incredible. Seriously, I can't even describe how awesome it was and how much fun I had. It was relaxing and took my breath away all at the same time. We road-tripped around Namibia and visited the beach, sand dunes, a Himba tribe, and went on a safari. So here's a glimpse into paradise:

I sand boarded down dunes, 4-wheeled around dunes, saw incredible animals, and watched cheetahs hunt and kill an animal and then eat it...all while standing right next to them. I got to spend time with my incredible family and celebrate the holidays in a country rich with beauty and full of life.

It was rejuvenating, thrilling, crazy, and amazing. I could use more adjectives to describe it, but I'll cut it short.

But hey, now I can say I bested the rains down in Africa! (yes, I listened to the song multiple times while there. I couldn't resist.)

The tabernacle burned down while we were sleeping

2010-12-17T15:54:00.000-08:00

Well, it's the end of another semester here in p-town. This one takes the cake for craziest, most hectic, most stressful, and most insane. But also, I learned more this semester than in any other. I progressed more. I grew more. And I accomplished more.

Last day in the newsroom. I had a love/hate relationship with this place. And I'll be back at it again next semester...this time as an editor.

My FHE family. Surprise, I was a mom again. I always get so lucky with an incredible group.

And what would December be without a trip to Temple Square?

It's that time of year again...I'm off on an adventure with the fam. This year's destination...Namibia.

"Oh what a night, late december"

2010-12-17T02:03:00.000-08:00

In celebration of Jordie and my 21st birthdays and finals being over, we headed up to the SLC.

Getting carded for our first time

Cousins

Spainy Spain

Besties

Up on stage at Keys on Main

Jitterbug

Every year of my life is crazier than the last. I know that this next one won't break that pattern. Here's to another year.

Twenty-One

2010-12-15T23:31:00.000-08:00

Today I turned twenty-one.

These are pictures from a few of the days happenings. Thank you friends for making it a wonderful day. I am so lucky to have such amazing people in my life.

Birthday week

2010-12-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

My bestie Jordie turned 21 yesterday. Love this girl.

Here is a series of pictures of what happened right before The Pent birthday dinner.

Yes, the martinellis exploded everywhere and yes there was blood drawn. Luckily, domestic Whit was there to clean up.

My last story of the semester ran today. It made front page.

2010-12-08T00:06:00.000-08:00

There are days I drop words of comfort on myself like falling rain & remember it is enough to be taken care of by myself.

Team Dowser

2010-12-05T01:14:00.000-08:00

This week marks the end of my internship with Dowser. I was privileged work with David Bornstein and interview social entrepreneurs around the country and help tell their stories. And one of the best parts about this internship was the team I worked with. Each of the four other people are incredible and I know each one will change the world in one way or another.

We celebrated the end of our hard work with a true mexican fiesta. Meet team Dowser.org:

Life surprises

2010-12-03T22:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes all I can do is sit back in awe of how blessed I am. And sometimes I surprise myself. And sometimes life surprises me. Surprises this week:

1. Getting a job at the Daily Universe as campus editor
2. Getting asked to be an internship director for The Ballard Center for Self Economic Reliance
3. Getting accepted to Washington Seminar (this isn't as recent, but still awesome)

Life is throwing me incredible opportunities. All of these surprises were a great break from the hours I've spent uploading, writing, reading, applying, and not sleeping this week.

Thank you life for surprising me.

"I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible vareity of life"
-F. Scott Fitzgerald

December 1st

2010-12-02T00:03:00.000-08:00

It is fitting that on the first day of this month I enjoyed a taste of Christmas while walking through lights and sitting on Santa's lap. And what made it even more wonderful was the company of Spain friends. It still amazes me that 8 months ago I didn't know any of these people and now we continue to be best friends. Every time we get together we can't help but laugh at the crazy, ridiculous, incredible, and out of control times we had over there. It was a dream.

Unfortunately we were missing some key people from the Spain crew tonight. Nevertheless, these people are all dear to my heart.

Gracias a Espana por todo. Siempre lo hecho de menos.

The Dreamer

2010-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

I've been listening to this song on repeat for the past few days. This man is genius.

i'm just a dreamer but i'm hanging on
though i am nothing big to offer
i watch the birds, how they dive in then gone
it's like nothing in this world's ever still

It's amazing how music seems to fix everything for me. And good friends help too.

Me and some of my favorite boys. Taken this past winter.

Hotlanta Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T22:19:00.000-08:00

I've spent the past week soaking up warm weather, sleeping in until noon, watching at least one movie a day, getting to know my roommies hometown, shopping, going to the lake, avoiding any and all homework, and hitting up all of my favorite southern restaurants. Plus, I got an incredible southern Thanksgiving meal.

What a better way to end the trip than Waffle House?

And the cold weather is rollin in

2010-11-21T00:15:00.000-08:00

To begin this blog post, I will start by telling a funny little story from Friday monring. Jordie and I volunteer up in Heber at a hospital and we often do some PR work for them. This week we were handing out flyers to businesses. It involved a lot of getting in and out of the car, which is of course tedious and about half way through we found ourselves at a bank. We hoped out of the car, but this time...Jordan locked her keys in the car. We sat there laughing, not knowing what to do. So we asked the people working at the bank what we should do and we ended up calling the cops. Not one, but two cops showed up to our rescue. Jordan's car proved difficult to open and it took forever to finally pry the actual keys out of the car. Lucky for us, the cops were hilarious and we spent the whole time making fun of each other.

On another note, dinner group is over. Sad day. I think I'll end up eating out until the end of the semester because I'm so used to not cooking for myself.

And on a third note, here is The Pent. I love my roomies. They stay up waaay too late with me and go to J-dawgs at noon in their pj's with me, and laugh about nothing with me.

p.s.-Surprise! I have bangs. It was time for a change.

Please, remember me, fondly

2010-11-18T19:59:00.000-08:00

This song is tender and beautiful. Anything by Sam Beam is incredible. Plus, he has an awesome beard.

So please remember me, finally
And all my uphill clawing
My dear, but if I make the Pearly Gates
I'll do my best to make a drawing

Of God and Lucifer, a boy and girl
An angel kissin' on a sinner

The sorting hat

2010-11-15T14:06:00.000-08:00

As an avid Harry Potter fan, I got super excited when I found out we were writing Harry Potter stories for the paper.

In the midst of the craziness that is writing for the DU, I had an idea and pitched it to my editor. Luckily, she is also a huge Harry Potter fan. Thus, I became the sorting hat of BYU.

For weeks leading up to my article I would start discussions with friends and we would get into arguments about which major belongs in which house. I had to cut the article down quite a bit, but here it is:
Sorting houses into Majors

It still holds the most popular spot on the website. And getting Facebook messages from random people and texts from friends just makes me love being a journalism major even more. And it shows just how much Harry Potter has creeped its way into our lives.

100

2010-11-12T19:52:00.000-08:00

This is my little blogs 100th post. Naturally, I have to do something exciting.
I could tell you 100 things about myself or 100 things I'm grateful for. But, 100 is a really big number. So I'm just going to write until I get tired, which will probably be after item 10.

Here are some of the best feelings in the world:
1. Driving on a summer night with the windows down listening to some good tunes.
2. Seeing family or friends after a really long time.
3. Traveling to a new country or city and experiencing the thrill of exploring.
4. Waking up on a Saturday morning and lounging around.
5. Accomplishing something.
6. Making a difference.
7. Attending a concert of one of your favorite artists.
8. Going to a sporting event and having your team win in overtime.
9. Walking on the beach barefoot.
10. Sitting on a dock.
11. When people remember your birthday without Facebook.
12. Sitting on a cliff overlooking mountains or a city.
13. Drinking a Jones soda and sitting in the grass.
14. Snow days.
15. Watching a perfect sunset.