My First Haircut!

So I started the cosmetology program at Bon Losee Academy a couple of weeks ago. . . and after many cut fingers and chopped up manequin heads, they finally set us free and let us cut a REAL PERSON'S hair!! My beautiful sister in law Caitlin was SO great and let me experiment on her. Her hair was super long and she let me cut it into an ADORABLE A-Line. (Technically called a graduated cut.) Not too bad for my first time! Never thought I'd say it, but I must admit I LOVE HAIR SCHOOL!

So Long, Sweet Summer

A couple of things I am going to miss as the summer fades, and we all get too busy to play and relax. Hopefully we still find time to enjoy the little moments and recognize the humor in our busy crazy lives!

Sushi Night! Every Tuesday night, we all went to institute, then we all met up at Demae, a cute little sushi joint on Center street in Provo. It was only $3.50 for any roll! One time, we laughed so hard the waiter had to tell us to settle down. So many good memories there!

Breakfast Club! A bunch of our close friends all took turn hosting breakfast club, every Tuesday and Thursday in the summer. It usually consisted of the girls showing up at the guy's apartments, waking them up and demanding breakfast. When it was the girl's turn, things were a little more organized. Good food, Good friends, Good times!


Linda and I at wal-mart. We found these amazing Batman masks and decided they were photo shoot worthy right there in the middle of the store. We ended up buying them. The best 2 dollars I've spent all year! Not how they make my cheeks look just gorgeous.

Emerald and I. The night before my bestie got hitched. It was a fabulous trip out there, and an opportunity to grow as I let my friend go!

This picture was taken at my FAVORITE burger joint; Burger's Supreme. That day, we slept in, layed out by the pool all day, only to leave for the divine juicy burger that you see in this picture. Then it was right back to the pool and our iPods and good books. It was a good day.

My good good friend Melissa. We work together; in other words, we live together. She always takes care of me; even when I wear shoes that hurt and attempt to walk barefoot over thorn infested dirt roads. In a dress.

My amazing ward this summer was definitley one of a kind. Every sunday afternoon, a bunch of us would go to the nursing home and sing hymns to the residents. This cute lady is Norma. She was a favorite, and always left us smiling.

After School Snack

Today was a good day, but a long day. Stayed up too late last night talking and giggling in my bed like a little girl with a dear friend. Woke up missing someone so much my chest actually hurts a little. I wish I could tell that person good morning, and wish all of my best intents for the coming day. I went to school; a new adventure that has completely taken me off guard, and redirected what I thought was a sure course. But the new course is an exciting and beautiful one; adorned with mystery and anticipation and fulfilment. One of my best friends came to school with me; we smiled and shared thoughts and she gave me the courage to speak kind words where harsh ones would have been easier. Today I forgave someone who has needed forgiving for quite some time. A little bit of hurt has been taken away from me, thrown out into the world to dissolve into nothingness. I layed in the grass, arms spread wide as the sun beat down on one side of my face, a brilliant contrast of warmth and coolness. I fought off a nap; another victory! Finally the day relented and let me go home, home to my beautiful bathroom that my roommates FINALLY decided to clean (I'm taking a stand). I strangled the urge to spend money on silly things that I won't remember or care about in 5 years. I didn't feel frustrated that my cupboards are full of random college food; a million little things you can't eat unless you buy a million more BIG things. I was content and happy and soothed my grumbly belly with the comforting warm toast with soft butter, some grapes, and a long-awaited Diet Coke. From the can. Sometimes it's just gotta be from the can.

I Am My Mother's Daughter

When I was 13 years old, my dear dear mother decided to take advantage of a free afternoon (as free as it can get with 6 teenagers running around) and clean out our freezer. It was the second freezer, the one in the garage; the one with the endless supply of frozen goods which is completely necessary to feed 4 growing boys and a husband. Anyways. So while my mother was cleaning out the freezer, she dropped a 20 lb. frozen turkey on her foot. I remember the wailing and the contorted face as she writhed in pain; I felt bad. She ended up shattering her big toe, was in a boot for what seemed like forever, and to this day her toe still bothers her when a weather front moves in. I remember thinking, oh, poor clumsy mom. Always hurting herself with something bizarre like dropping a frozen turkey on it. Don't get me wrong; I've had my share of injuries. I broke my pinkie in a soccer game, sliced my arm nearly off, cut open fingers, broken elbows, wrists, had my share of concussions, thanks to soccer and 4 brothers, and other various minor ailments/misfortunes. But nothing as bizarre as dropping frozen poultry on myself. Well, there is a phrase that has come to my mind lately: We all turn into our mothers. In my case, this would not be so horrible as many people make it out to be. But there is one specific trait that I seem to have inherited as of late. Some of you have seen the photos that Jared took of me the other day. They were taken on a railroad, inside/around an old abandoned rail car. Well, the little photo shoot was going well on Saturday. I was standing on the car's hitch, and Jared had just finished shooting a certain pose. I turned to grab my purse, when out of nowhere, SMACK. I had managed to turn smack dead into a huge piece of the steel train, which caught me right on the forehead. I tried to play it off like it was no big deal, but after a minute I started to cry. I decided I'd bring out the boy in me that has learned to suck it up, but I think Jared noticed a couple tears and my quivery lip. We hurried and finished before my face swelled up too huge. And so the headache began. That was Saturday. I've had a headache for 3 days straight. But don't worry, that's not the end. Monday afternoon, I returned home from a tedious 12 hour shift, tired and worn out,my head still bruised and aching. I decided I would go to the gym to release some stress. I thought I'd make a harmless pre-gym visit to the restroom in my apt, but no no. As I shut the door to the bathroom, (we have to shut it pretty hard to close it all the way,) the vent decided to jump out of the wall. Yep. I shut the door and the vent fell out of the wall and landed SMACK on my head, just so happening to hit the exact spot that the stupid train got me. So as I sat on my toilet with my head in my hands, sobbing the sobs of a girl that has had long day, a girl that has reached the point of breaking, I didn't feel much like laughing. But, I never fail to find the humor in any situation. As I walked to the gym a few minutes later, still drying my tears, I couldn't help but laugh aloud at myself. What a funny story. I could just hear the conversations I'd have:

"Wow Katie, what happened to your head?
"Oh, nothing, I just walked into a train and then a vent fell on my head. You know. The usual."

Dropping a turkey on your toe sounds pretty good and normal, now, doesn't it?