3 quick finals week treats

let's be honest... sweets are like the #1 motivator in my life.

what would you do for a klondike bar? anything.

break me off a piece of that kit-kat bar? no. mine.

need a moment? i need 5 moments if they each come a twix.

similar to buddy the elf, candy is one of my main food groups, and during finals week my sugar levels spike to an all-time high. the stresses of studying and the comfort of sugar balance each other out, and as a result i am a perfectly calm and content student. while studying for finals, i only allow myself a few short breaks. during those breaks, i don't have enough time to whip up a whole batch of cookies or bake a dozen cupcakes. i can't allow myself to go to the store, because i'll never come back. i need a quick, easy recipe with ingredients i already have in my cupboards. i stick to one of these three simple (yet delectable) sugary sweet treats:

1. smores for one
ingredients: 2 graham crackers, 2 marshmallows, 2 hershey kisses
total time: 3 minutes
directions: place crackers on pan. place marshmallows on crackers. broil in oven for exactly 138 seconds. top with a kiss. get back to work!

2. improv reeses
ingredients: 1 spoonful of peanut butter, 1 small handful of chocolate chips
total time: 30 seconds
directions: see photo

3. heaven on earth
ingredients: BYU bookstore dark chocolate sea salt caramels
total time: varies depending on how carefully or carelessly you choose your hiding places
directions: when all else fails, turn to your secret stash of these babies. nothing is better. i promise.

happy finals week, and good luck! 

p.s. the post-finals diet starts on thursday

life lately

currently i am ...

+ laughing hysterically at this commercial. dying. just watch it. i love it. 

+ prepping for finals. my last day is the 24th!

+ emotionally prepping for spring semester, which starts the 29th. boo. 

+ sick of friends posting pet pictures on instagram and facebook. your animal looks the exact same every single day! 

+ still so in love with my scotty. i may be biased, but i think he deserves some kind of husband award.

+ feeling like a noob because after my math teacher collected some data, we discovered i go to bed the earliest out of everyone. 

+ listening to justin timberlake's album and the pitch perfect soundtrack. i rotate every other day. 

+ taking a multivitamin each morning because it makes me feel like a responsible adult. ("it" being the pill-taking, not the actual pill) 

+ dreaming of traveling. scotty and i want to go to new york next year. 

+ planning my future classroom. i can't freaking wait! i won't be offended if you unfollow my pinterest teaching board; i realize it's getting a little out of hand. 

+ adding middle names to all of the baby names we have picked out (just so i'm ready in six years when we have a baby).

+ so so so so SO white. you can bet the second i'm done with finals, i'll be laying out by the pool.
+ wearing this shirt every day of my life. it's so pretty, i couldn't possibly want to wear anything else my closet has to offer.

what have you all (my lovely followers) been up to lately?

celebrating

every wednesday morning at my practicum elementary school, the principal plays a celebration song over the intercom. he instructs the students to get out of their desks to "celebrate and dance, because the week is halfway over!" the kids love it. i love it. i think life would be so boring if we didn't find reasons to celebrate. 

scotty and i celebrated on friday night because *drumroll* ... i was offered a teaching position for next year! i'll be doing an internship teaching fourth grade at falcon ridge elementary (aka, my practicum school!). i am so freaking excited. i can't wait to shape the minds of little fourth graders. i start in august, i'll be paid half salary, and i'll graduate as a second year teacher... we thought this made for a good reason to celebrate!

i asked the waitress to document this special moment in my life, to which she replied, "of course! i've become quite the photographer since working here!" ... then she produced the following two photos: 

how appropriate was my fortune? 

and finally, my "I'M GOING TO BE A TEACHER!!!" face. 

pure happiness.
can't wait to share all of my fourth grade stories with you all. 

now, go out and celebrate something! you deserve it. 

a bittersweet graduation feeling

all throughout this beautiful and gloomy april week, i couldn't help but reflect on the experiences i've had at BYU. my time at this incredible university is quickly coming to an end, and i just can't wrap my head around it. my sadness doesn't make sense - i spent my entire sophomore year dragging myself to my classes and joking about dropping out! but now that the end is in sight (i'll be done with classes in july), i'm getting a little separation anxiety. i don't want to leave! i don't want to not be a BYU student. 

i've been at BYU since fall 2009. i know this place. i know every building, every pathway. i know how to get a parking spot after 9:00 AM and i know the best places to study in the library. i tried every on-campus restaurant and cafe multiple times, and i learned (through trial and error) which candy at the bookstore candy counter is best. i memorized the hours and limitations of every parking lot and i could sing the fight song in my sleep. i know the safe bathrooms and which ones to avoid. i have worked three different positions at BYU: a residence assistant, an employment services rep, and student assistant to the vp of human resources. BYU is practically my home. 

academically, BYU and i have had quite the journey together. i grew so much as a student and as a learner. i experienced the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. i'll never forget walking out of the testing center with tears streaming down my face because i scored a 28% on a psychology exam. i remember thinking my first book of mormon midterm would be so easy. i remember being a prideful freshman, not feeling the slightest need to attend a biology review session. over the years, i learned what it takes to be a successful student at BYU and the amount of work i need to do to earn good grades. i will forever cherish the one time (count it - ONE time) i walked out of the testing center and saw "great job!" next to my score.

i love the people here. i made new friendships that will last forever, and i was reunited with old friends and family members. i had countless lunch dates and special reunions. i took classes from professors who completely changed my outlook on life, and who have given me advice i can't wait to use. my teachers helped strengthen my testimony and taught me amazing things about the church. granted, there are a small handful of professors whom i hope die a slow, painful death. but everyone else has been such great examples to me. i met president samuelson. i saw the prophet here (twice). BYU is full of amazing, talented people.

even the random strangers here have been blessings in my life. like on the first day of school sophomore year when i fell outside of the JSB. i was trapped inside a huge crowd of people with my knee bleeding and some rotc guy helped me up. or one time i was hiding outside of heleman halls sobbing because a boy had done something mean to me, and a random girl came up to me and asked me if i was okay and gave me a hug. i'm sure both of these people have long since forgotten our encounters, but their charity has left a lasting impression on me. it's hard to find gems such as those in today's world. 

so yeah, i'm sad to be leaving. i'm excited to keep progressing and to become a real teacher, but i will miss these college days. i'll miss telling people "i go to BYU." i'll miss the chocolate milk and the dark chocolate salted caramels. i'll miss my inspiring professors and peers. i am so so so thankful i had the opportunity to come here to learn and grow. with 4 months left, you better believe i'm treasuring every moment. 

my latest power outfit

i don't know about you, but when i'm stressed out of my mind, my coping method of choice is retail therapy. there's something so motivating and comforting about wearing a new piece of clothing! i knew this week was going to be a little on the crazy side, so i found some peace in this adorable top from forever 21. the peter pan collar trend is rocking my world. 

plus, today i had to teach 3 lessons and be observed by my professor and school facilitator. 

if that doesn't justify a new blouse, i don't know what does. 

my protocol in life for any nerve-wrecking event (tests, interviews, sacrament meeting talks, etc.) is to dress as cute as humanly possible. because hey, even if it doesn't end well, at least i still feel like some hot piece of ass. 

(but don't worry, i crushed my observation) 

you look better with the lights off

sometimes i find songs that are perfectly fitting and relevant to real life experiences. for example:
hearing your alarm clock go off = don't wake me up by chris brown
going on my second date with scotty = fallin' for you by colbie caillat
some girl from vegas claims she went to your "my world" tour and now has your baby and is filing a lawsuit and making you take a DNA test = maria by justin bieber (p.s. what ever happened with that?)
buying a lamp shade at target = better with the lights off by new boyz
... let me explain.
scotty and i were making our weekly target trip on thursday night, minding our own business, when suddenly my eyes were blinded by the beauty of this lamp shade:

i was almost in tears because i've never seen anything so perfect and pretty.
it was like the only three things in the store were me, scotty, and the shade. a complete and happy little family.
i love the pattern and i especially love the color.
i love the bold contrast between the white and mustard.
what a statement piece - i needed it.
i was planning on getting down on my knees and begging, but before i could do so the husband said we should probably get it :) wahoo! everything was falling perfectly into place. i knew this was meant to be. we ran home and we couldn't put the new piece on our lamp fast enough; i was so excited. as my handy man finished, i stared in awe. it was so lovely. there was not an ounce of regret from my impulse purchase. surely this would become a family heirloom. something my kids would fight over when i die. it was a beautiful sight to see. and then... something happened.

i said to scotty, "turn it on!!!" and the magic was ruined. as the light shone through the shade, the white turned to a dirty yellow and the mustard turned to gold. the contrast was gone, and my heart crumbled to pieces.

to quote the wise words of new boyz, some things (in their case, women) look better with the lights off.

you're a dime, so beautiful. top of the line, so unusual. words can't define. running through my mind all day. i'm so happy you're mine ... i hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you look better with the lights off.

so do i keep it? if the purpose of a lamp is to give light, but i only like its shade when it's not giving light, does that make me crazy? what's a girl to do?

first day of school: practicum style

today was like the christmas morning of school days this semester. 

i could hardly sleep last night; i was so excited. i've had my outfit planned for weeks. today i started my first practicum! basically, this means all of my classes stop (except for two stupid night ones) and rather than being in class on byu campus, i am placed in an elementary classroom for a whole month. A WHOLE MONTH! i'll be in the same classroom for four weeks just observing, learning, teaching occasional lessons, and loving my life. 

this is a beautiful, amazing thing because: 

1. i can finally put all of my knowledge/strategies/techniques/materials/theories to USE! i'm sick of being told what to do, i just want to go do it! you know what i mean? i'm getting antsy.

2. my liaison (boss lady) is also my FAVORITE teacher slash idol. 

3. my morning commute has just been cut down from 35 miles to 9 miles. halle-freaking-lujah. 

4. i can get face-to-face advice from a real-live teacher. 

5. i can ask my mentor teacher the purposes behind her actions. most of the time when we go observe, we're placed in a classroom mid-lesson for 20 minutes, then we leave without saying a word to the teacher. every time, i have so many unanswered questions! 

6. i will only drive to provo a maximum of TWO days a week rather than the usual four or five.
i'm straight up giddy about this one, guys. giddy. 

7. i will become familiar with the elementary school system from a teacher aspect. 

(really that's just code for: i get to go in the teacher's lounge!)

8.  this will confirm that teaching is my calling in life. 

9. minimal homework assignments for the next month! 

10. i get to plan, prepare for, and execute my very own lesson plans. hooray! 

i feel like the past three years have all led up to this moment! i will do an early childhood practicum now (1st grade), an older one during the summer (3rd, 4th, or 5th grade), and start my internship in the fall. i can see the light at the end of the tunnel! i am so ready for this. the next four weeks should be an interesting roller coaster of emotions. i am so happy and excited but i'm also slightly nervous, intimidated, confused, and inadequate.  i'm sure as the days go by i will feel more and more comfortable.  at least i had a few students welcome me with love notes today!

wish me luck! 

friday facts

1. tuesdays and thursdays are stupid because on those two special days i have classes until 9:30 PM.

2. sometimes i come home and i'm real grumpy. 

3. you would be grumpy too if you spent 12+ hours on campus and didn't get home until after 10. 

4. my husband is nice. 

5. he knows how to make me not so grumpy. 

6. a little late night snack & snuggle session can turn any frown upside down.
7. ramen is my happy go-to snack.
8. if you're looking for a health blog... go somewhere else.

9. he's a keeper.
10. i'm so incredibly happy it's the weekend!

really though.

how many freaking inches of snow is this? 

like 5? 6? too many? it's been snowing for three and a half days straight... just incase you were wondering. the only things keeping me alive are hot chocolate, prayer, boots/socks, and more hot chocolate. if i ever mentioned the idea of living in utah after college, i take it back. this is not fun!

hefty homework assignments

sometimes school is so incredibly difficult. with 18 credits this semester, i can't say i wasn't expecting chaos. most nights i'm up until the wee hours of morning finishing papers, solving math problems, or researching information. it is very overwhelming and stressful. and then, on rare occasions, i am assigned a task that brings happiness and serenity back into my life.  

this week, i practiced my handwriting.

i hope my professor is proud of my hard work.

HA!

i love my major!

a cold combat

winter and i are not friends. i think we try to be cordial most of the time, but i've done my fair share of talking crap behind its back, and it's ruined a handful of my january mornings. today, though, winter took the game to a whole new level. and i have photographic evidence to prove it. scotty and i walked outside this morning to a mysterious foggy world. the familiar mountains on each side of us were nowhere to be found. heck - who am i kidding? we could barely see the other side of the street. it was quite a sight to see. naturally i wanted to take a picture of this cool-yet-eerie air to document for my family, instagram followers, and maybe even my posterity.

cool, right?
but i thought i could do better.
i took a step to my right, hoping to shoot from a better angle.

but, no.
winter would not have it that way.
a sneaky patch of death ice was waiting for me as i took my step. within 2 seconds, i was on the ground crying. at least i got an exciting action shot so all of you can know what a slipping person sees from midair. i hope you can live vicariously through my picture and skip experiencing it for yourselves.
winter, bring it on.

ashley & automotives

so... tuesday. weird day. there were two parts of that day that made me think "WOAH!" the first was extremely negative, but the second was really positive. and since they both revolve around cars, i figured i'd slap them both in the same post. two noteworthy, car-related experiences. ready?

1. i ruined our car.
okay, i personally did not ruin it. i'm too stubborn and bitter to take the blame at this point in my life. i would rather accuse utah and its crap-hole freeways. long story short: i was driving to school, a loose bumper appeared (out of thin air) in the middle of the lane, and i ran over it. viola. cars were surrounding me, or else i would have swerved out of the way. now my sweet 6-month-old baby is broken, and ironically not covered in our "bumper-to-bumper" warranty. below is my diagram depicting the before and after frontal views of the hyundai.

i mean, i'm not planning on switching my major to art any time soon, but i'd say it's pretty spot on. the three things i gained from this annoying experience are: my husband is freaking awesome and loves me no matter what, "bumper-to-bumper" warranty is slightly misleading, and bad things happen in utah. 

2. i happened upon this quote via pinterest. 

first i was like, "i don't get it." and then i was like, "oh my gosh, i don't even want to think about cars right now because i just ran over a bumper two hours ago and cracked the front of my car and i kind of want to cry when i think about the whole situation... but THIS IS AWESOME!" do we use prayer as a tool to direct choices and decisions in life? do we pray consistently? or wait to utilize prayer until we are deserted or in danger or in the middle of an emergency, and use it as a last resort? such a solid quote. i want to share it with everyone i know.

put those two experiences together, and maybe i need to incorporate prayer into my morning routine and asking my father in heaven for safe travels to and from school. and i also need to thank him for my understanding husband. and as my final thought, i think the commuters of utah are conspiring against me.

the saddest 30 seconds of my life

we dropped my brother off at the missionary training center on wednesday. prior to that, we had a great morning with a delicious lunch at zupas and fun times bonding with relatives. i struggled to grasp the reality of the situation - that those were, in fact, the last few moments i had with my brother for the next 24 months. it couldn't be true! my heart assumed that after lunch was over, we'd peruse the byu bookstore or get ice cream from the creamery like old times.

instead, we endured an awkward 2-minute car ride with tanner forcing back sniffles and tears, dad cracking jokes to redirect any thoughts of sadness, and mom giving her final last-minute advice. "follow the rules!" "be good!" and before we knew it, we were parked inside the mtc. 

suddenly it occurred to me that i was about to leave my brother on a curb, and drive away not seeing him for another two years. i choked. is he ready? did he memorize my email address? have i been a good sister? do i have any advice? i've never left the country for two years. i've never dedicated that amount of time to only serving the lord. i had one last chance for an interaction with him; whatever words came out of my mouth would be the last thing he heard from me! what could i possibly do or say to convey my feelings of love and pride to my sweet brother in a minute or less? 

 instead of giving him final motivating words or thought-provoking advice, i just cried. i hugged him and somehow managed to mumble "i'll miss you" and he replied with a "love you."

and then somehow, i was back in the van with my parents, scotty, and tanner. everything happened so quickly. mitchell was gone, and it felt like someone had blindfolded me and pushed me off a cliff. today, i am happier. i am happy mitchell is gone. i'm happy we have a forever family. and i'm happy we will get emails once a week and phone calls twice a year. i am so proud of my little brother! 

... but i will sure be happier when he's back.

movie time > school time

scotty and i are really enjoying this break from school.

i fear i'm getting too comfortable with this whole no-responsibility thing!
i mean, during the school year i hardly watch movies... 

and if i do, i usually force myself to sit down and watch them. 

movies just can't make my priority list when school is in session.

so, since i currently have no readings, homework assignments, upcoming tests, etc, we have had a lot of time to watch movies! how sad is my life in which 7 movies in one week is overly exciting to me? here is a list and my humble opinions of the movies we've seen. 

1. Jack Reacher

surprisingly really interesting. ron and kim took us and it was very enjoyable. it's about a shooting and all of the detective work after said shooting.  i liked it way more than i thought i would; i think it's fascinating how people can think so outside of the box and pay such close attention to detail. i didn't really like the main girl, but who doesn't love tom cruise? i'd rate it 3.5/5, only taking points off because of the violence and the lack of a good romance :)

2. Pitch Perfect

i can't believe i waited so long to enjoy this hilarious movie! a lot of good one liners, plus a ton of great songs. i'm a sucker for a cappella and synchronized dance moves. mitchell gave me this for christmas, and i am way excited to own it! i feel like i was laughing the entire time that we watched it. 5/5 stars for sure!

3. Total Recall 

i don't know. maybe this shouldn't be on the list because i fell asleep after four minutes. but scotty liked it! 

4. Dark Knight Rises
a timeless movie. i'll never get sick of watching christian bale and anne hathaway. i mean, bane gives me the freaking creeps, but it's still a good movie.
i give it 4 stars.

5. The Avengers

a classic. scotty and i freaking love this movie, as mentioned in this earlier blog post. a perfect combination of wit, action, humor, and adventure. 5/5 stars. 

6. Breaking Dawn pt. 2

i actually had high hopes for this movie; i heard nothing but positive reviews from a variety of facebook friends. however, i thought it was boring beyond belief... and i think that's saying a lot coming from someone who read all of the books and went to previous midnight showings. i think the "sex scene" in the beginning was so ridiculously stupid that i couldn't take the rest of the movie seriously. plus, the whole plot was just edward and bella gathering friends to touch their baby. weird. and the cheesy recap at the end almost made me gag. i have no desire to watch it ever again. 0/5 stars. to cancel out the negativity, here is a funny picture of robert pattinson:

7. Les Miserables 

i seriously saved the best for last. words cannot describe the emotions i felt while watching this movie. the cast had so much passion, and the whole thing was so real! the storyline, the familiar tunes, the tears, the blood. i could almost smell the dirt when valjean was carrying marius through the sewers. i cried twice, but i guess i shouldn't really call it "crying." i was weeping. sobbing. noises were coming out of my mouth - it wasn't like a few tears silently ran down my face. everything was so powerful. i loved anne hathaway, amanda seyfried and especially eddie redmayne and samantha barks. what a great cast! i walked out of the theater wanting to be a better person, feeling so blessed for all that i have, and wanting to hug and cherish all of my family members. i left feeling inspired to be kind and to serve others. isn't that how every movie should leave you feeling? this movie is an inspiration! 8 out of 5 stars.

i'm already dying to see it again.
hopefully we can squeeze in a few more movies before school starts!
any suggestions?