D-lowe-flow.

Shout out to Dylan Jade Lowe for her birthday! Finally she is turning the big two-oh!

I can't believe I met this girl at GHA almost three years ago and we went on to be roommates, fellow PAs, and overall such good friends! From karaoke nights, to workouts with Karen and Bob ("Perfect! Just like a yoga master."), to people watching/hating at the Grind, to double dates, to dance parties, to recording radio commercials... the adventures never end. I can't wait to see where else this crazy life takes us. Happy birthday DJ!

Gender wars, I guess.

I have the hardest time writing when I'm happy. So there's my excuse for only posting pictures for like... a while. I'm struggling so much that I actually just googled "topics to write about" and I found this website that has topics with questions and so I'm going to pick one and answer the questions and you're going to like it. So here we go.

And the topic is: Gender Wars.

1. The real meaning of gender equality.
First of all, what's the fake meaning of gender equality? Like, the whole time I thought I knew what gender equality was but it turned out to all be a hoax? Pretty sure the real meaning is just men and women being equal. I can't answer this question/statement.

2. Are men really better drivers than women?
Yes. Yes they are. I will admit openly to being a terrible driver as well as point fingers at 75% of women for being terrible drivers. Half the time I don't even know the difference between reverse and neutral when I'm trying to drive. Or how to open the little door over the thing you put gas in. I'm not saying either of those things happened but I guess I'm not saying they didn't.

3. Can men and women be "just friends?"
Yes and no. Women can be just friends with men but men can't be just friends with women. Like for real, girls, don't pretend like your male BFF doesn't live to see you in short-shorts and a tank top. It's a proven fact so probably just get over it and move on with your life.

4. Why do men love gadgets so much?
I don't understand this question either. What constitutes a "gadget?" All I can picture is Kim Possible and her little ghetto cell phone and stuff. I don't really think men are obsessed with gadgets. My dad loves his iPhone but probably not more than I love mine so I don't see what this has to do with men.

5. Why do women love shopping so much?
Personally I don't like shopping that much. But I'm guessing many women love it because A: they get new stuff, B: retail therapy is a real thing, and C: when they're mad at their boyfriend, fiancé, husband, etc. they can go spend his money and feel better until they still have to solve their real life problems.

6. Why men never ask for directions.
I guess not knowing where you're going is a sign of weakness these days. Men just want to claim the "best driver" award and the "never lost" award. Best way to solve this problem is, if you're going somewhere the girl wants to go (the mall) she gets to ask for directions. But if you're going to the gadget store... I say just let him drive (perfectly) in circles.

7. Why women never think they're thin enough.
Society tells them they're not. Seen a magazine lately?

8. The difference between male and female body language.
If you are a guy and you went to a restaurant that had female belly dancers would you tip them more? If you are a girl and you went to a restaurant that had male belly dancers would you tip them more?

9. Why is it so difficult to buy gifts for men?
Literally the only gift I ever buy for my dad is a tie. Do you know how many ties he has? One time I bought him Star Trek on DVD and then kept it for myself. But obviously we've just now learned that men love gadgets so I don't know why we all have such a hard time! Just hit up those gadget stores.

10. The age of the metrosexual man.
What about it? Well-dressed men. I don't see the problem.

So yeah I'm pretty sure this was way more fun to write than it ever will be to read. But oh well, this is my blog so deal with it. Plus we all know the only reason you're probably reading this is to distract yourself from studying for finals so I'm guessing it's a success either way. As always, may the odds be ever in your favor!

All gold everything.

The latest adventures:

Spring break in St. George, Bear Lake, and good old Draper. Macklemore, best friends, and soccer soccer soccer.

The end of winter means the beginning of the hiking season. And that means driving for half a day to get to Zion, locking the keys in the car, waiting an hour on park rangers, and finally going on a little hike.

Car unlocking magic!

My friends are kind of obsessed with 2 Chainz. And Trinidad James. And giving me nightmares with the latter's hideous face.

So we dyed Easter eggs in honor of bad rappers.

Oh you know, 2 Chainz B different

And then Marissa and I peaced out to, you guessed it: Color Fest! Where we sucked at taking pictures but you know it's all about the memories.

Of course I can't do anything these days without soccer being involved. Réal Salt Lake is where it's at.

So yeah. Happy Easter!

Why running is better than almost anything.

I ran track in high school... or so I say. In reality, I just ran my sophomore and junior years, the 100 and 200 meter races, and quit halfway through the season both years. So yeah, I ran, more or less, and it was fun, more or less. Recently, though, I have found a new love and appreciation for distance running which is something I definitely have never liked before. Basically I want everyone to love running as much as I do, so here's a list of ten of my favorite things about running.

1. Calves. Running gives you great calves, and let's be real, people with solid calf muscles are hot. One time, in high school, I voted for a boy for student body president just because he had nice calves. I wish I was joking.
2. Stress relief. I've said this before, but honestly there is nothing better to do when you're stressed than slip on those Nikes and hit the pavement. When you're mad you can run even farther than you ever thought you could. Especially if you picture that the person you're mad at is waiting at the end of your run so you can beat them up. Not that I've ever imagined that...
3. Endorphins. The feeling you get after you finish a long, hard run. You feel so good.
4. Scenery. If someone finds something prettier than a jog along the beach or a trail run up a canyon in the autumn, I'll be amazed. Any beautiful view is improved when you have running shoes on!
5. Music. Everyone loves music and if you're anything like me, you're constantly looking for excuses to listen to music. "Oh, I'm going outside to get the mail, I can totally listen to at least half of 'I Knew You Were Trouble' on the way there." I mean, at least until it gets to the screaming goat, right? Anyway, you can listen to a ton of songs while running. And then try to throw in a little dance move and end up falling off the treadmill/sidewalk/hill. Not that I've done that either...
6. Therapy. I remember a time last summer when I was really overwhelmed by life, so I went for a run and ended up running up this massive hill. The whole time I kept telling myself, "I can do difficult things." And guess what, I did!
7. Energy. Surprisingly, waking up early to go for a jog gives me so much energy for the rest of the day. Like, what on earth, I feel better when I get up and get active than when I stay in bed till ten eating Nutella? Weird.
8. Conditioning. Running is more of a mind game than anything. The human body is an amazing thing and could probably run for an indefinite amount of time, especially if there were zombies chasing you or something (just saying). The only thing holding you back is your own brain! The more you challenge it, the more you show your mind: that's what's up.
9. Clothes. Workout clothes are the coolest ever. Admit it boys, you love girls in yoga pants.
10. Appetite. Notice the title of this post is "Why running is better than almost anything." Which obviously means the only thing it's not better than is food. When you run, you can eat even more and it just counts as "fueling your run." Win, win!

Shanwow.

This thing went around on Instagram, like, a month ago, where if you got tagged you had to post a picture of yourself along with five facts that your followers might not know about you. So I thought I would expand this to my blog and let you guys learn a little more about me! I'll even include five bonus facts just for you. You should feel so special.

Pic of yours truly!

1. I lived in South Carolina for 5 years. I always tell people I'm from there but really I just lived there in elementary school and one year of middle school. It was a great time and I miss it!
2. My favorite movie is Star Trek (the new one). You probably already knew that because I'm literally obsessed with it. I can't even tell you how pumped I am for the new one coming out in May!
3. I speak French! Kind of! You know this from all my whining about my French classes.
4. If I could afford to eat sushi for every meal I probably would. I love sushi. But I'm also a little picky about what sushi. Like tempura sushi is a no-go.
5. I don't grow hair in my armpits. (Laser hair removal is heaven!) TMI? Maybe. But for real, if you have the chance to get it, do it.
6. I'm obsessed with zombies. It started with The Walking Dead and has since progressed to Zombieland, Warm Bodies, Left 4 Dead, zombie 5Ks, zombie themed haunted houses, and this game called Zombies, Run! that simulates zombies chasing you when you go running. I think I might have a problem. Don't underestimate me when the apocalypse actually happens though cause I know everything.
7. Things that I do to de-stress include: running, painting, writing in this blog, running, playing guitar, going for a drive, and more running. Nothing helps you work out frustration more than running.
8. The first song I ever learned to play on guitar was "Teardrops on my Guitar" by the lyrical genius herself, Taylor Swift. The second was "Hey There Delilah." Ninth grade me had some real quality music taste (not).
9. I have a reputation for being able to eat a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean like a "whole pizza by myself, plus an appetizer and dessert" lot. Super attractive I know.
10. Probably the best day of my life thus far was the day I got to swim with dolphins. It will remain this way until the day I get to play with and/or ride an elephant.

Shout out to Insta for giving me yet another blogging idea for when my life is boring! Lates.

Things I miss.

Warm nights. Drive-in movies. Baguette tuna sandwiches. Watching Lost on the floor in a blanket fort. Caving for the first time. The Lion King in 3D. Playing guitar at the park. Improv shows. Lighthouses. Poison ivy. Screened-in porches. VCRs. Lockers. Swim team. Sledding on cookie sheets. American Girl dolls. Sunday nights in the dorms. Catching tadpoles. Neighborhood-wide yard sale day. Volleyball class. Field trips.

The tree of life. Making videos. Choreographing dances. Service projects. Special needs mutual. Babysitting. Sneaking out to the lake at camp. Dashboard Confessional. Stargazing on golf courses. Playing Uno on road trips. Computer games. Fantasy novels. Ice skating. The neighbors' trampolines. Wallpaper. Power outages. Blonde hair and tan skin. Playing the clarinet. Friendly competition. Innocence. Imagination.

Hair constantly in a ponytail. Co-ed soccer games. Prank wars. Hide-and-seek and sardines. Riding bikes all summer. The bridge made out of padlocks. Country music. Trunk or treat. Pool parties. The Nook. Saturday mornings spent playing tennis. Sleepovers. Making pajama pants. That's So Raven. Running alongside the Mediterranean. Simple friendships. Yearbooks. Roadtrips to Las Vegas. Snorkeling. Family parties. Late night phone calls. This one boy.

Halcyon.

Halcyon (adj.): calm, peaceful, tranquil; prosperous; carefree.

Also known as the title of Ellie Goulding's most recent album. And a pretty good word to describe my weekend and life in general. I'll tell you why:

Friday:
There was a leadership weekend this week, and since I'm an ambassador I signed up to be a Personal Development Group leader. This meant that I got my own group of nine kids to party with for 24 hours and teach them about being leaders. I started at noon on Friday and was basically with them nonstop until midnight, and then from 8 am to noon the next day. We played games, watched gymnastics, built contraptions, had dance parties, tried to win candy, and talked a lot (mostly about how to not get bucked off a wild bareback horse, because I was very interested). It was sweet.

My PD group!

My best PC friends were here as well!

Saturday: 
Finished up with the leadership weekend and then hopped in the car with Tommy to make the drive to Salt Lake. By the time we got there, it was t-minus 4 hours until the concert I have been looking forward to for, um, my entire life: Ellie Goulding. Then, suddenly we were there and it was t-minus 30 minutes. And then this awesome opening act was playing, St. Lucia (check them out here, they're way good!) and then they were gone and we were all screaming "ELLIE!" and then oh my gosh she was there and she was singing and it sounded just like on her album and I think I was crying on the inside because I was so happy. Seriously, if you are not an Ellie Goulding fan, go listen to her music now. Not only is she incredibly talented and unique as an artist, she is equally as charming and down to earth as a person. I'm obsessed with her and could go on forever but I'll stop now.

Sunday:
Unfortunately the concert of a lifetime was over all too soon, so we woke up early and drove back to Cedar in time for church. Then, of course, was the Superbowl, where I think I ate my weight in ribs, peanut butter rice krispie treats, and chips and dip, while simultaneously fangirling over Beyonce with Marissa, Tommy, and Shaun and making some really hilarious jokes about power outages and babies that probably should never be repeated. I don't have pictures of this portion... sorry.

So, all in all, a pretty halcyon weekend. I don't know if that's how you use that word in a sentence but it sounds cool to me! In the words of Ellie, "This is a really beautiful place, so thumbs up to that!"