Really.

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Dear Life,

I feel like I've learned a lot in the past twelve months. My how time flies and how life changes so quickly. And yet, out of all of it, the thing I've learned the most is that every time something knocks me down, there always ALWAYS something even better around the corner. Thank you for being so kind to me by letting me have my ups along with my downs. I feel like I've learned more than I could have ever imagined, and grown in ways I didn't even know were possible this year. And besides that, I'm finally, truly happy again. I couldn't have asked for a better way to bring in a new year. And yes, I'm excited to see what the next twelve months bring along. Quite excited, actually.

Love Always,


B

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PS I have an INTERVIEW with L'Oreal tomorrow!!! And I'm SO EXCITED about it!!! A tad nervous, but not really. Ahhh it's only my DREAM brand to work for! I can't believe it's actually happening, it's really quite a blessing that I am so thankful for.

PPS I also found out this last week that I'm a national finalist for AAF's Most Promising Minority Advertising Student of the Year. haha, yes I know, I laughed about the 'minority' part too. BUT. It's an AMAZING opportunity that I have my incredible professors to thank for. I'll be meeting important advertising professionals, getting published, and having my resume sent to top companies on AAF's behalf. Oh. And the best part. Getting an expenses-paid trip back out to the wonderful NYC at the beginning of February. I'm so incredibly excited about this amazing opportunity!

Daniel's Mission Call!

Daniel got his mission call to...

MILAN, ITALY!!!

He reports March 3, 2010.

I'm so excited for him!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

A continuation...of all of the not-so-serious things...I'm thankful for in life. enjoy.

-backrubs and back scratches
-my mother's cooking
-watching snow storms from inside
-toothpaste and moutwash
-good books and movies
-cars and airplanes. oh I'm so thankful for these, you have no idea.
-popcorn and orange juice
-the internet
-puzzles
-cameras
-pets

Mini Moab

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Went to Moab with these crazies this last weekend. Best. Trip. Ever.

Departure: 11:30 PM

Arrival into Moab: 2:30 AM

This group was ridiculously fun, this definitely goes down as one of my favorite weekend trips yet. Canyoneering, night climbing, steaks and brats, a handful of really good movies, Coke Icees, tumbleweed bonfires, a quick trip to the Moab Jail with Austin, and brontosaurus ribs. Yup, winner. Once again, it's weekends like this that make me question wanting to move away from fun friends and the beautiful outdoors...errr...darn NY for not being outdoorsy AT ALL.

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Week of Thanksgiving!

That's right, it's Thanksgiving! And yes, that means you're going to get a running list of things I am uncontrollably thankful for this year. So here are today's...they're the more serious things I'm thankful for in life. enjoy.

1. My family. I'm blessed with amazing friends who also happen to be my family. I'm so lucky. They're there for me through thick and thin, and have really showed it in the past year. I love them all more than anyone else in the world.
2. The Church. This past year I've felt like I've grown closer to the Lord and have a better, clearer understanding of His love for me. There's no better feeling in the world than knowing just how much He loves us and will always be there for us no matter what.
3. My friends. I have the best friends in the world. For real. I can't even tell you how grateful I am for every one of you.
4. My education. I'm finally graduating with my undergrad this year. So crazy. I'm so thankful for all of the experiences I've had at BYU, and excited to start the next stage of life!
5. Good health. I'm so thankful I've been blessed with a good immune system. Seriously.
6. Nature. More specifically, the mountains. There are few things in life that make me happier than enjoying nature with my friends.
7. Having a job. And a job offer. I'm so thankful that I have options in an economy where so many people don't. It's truly a blessing.

Canyon Love+Sunday Drives

Love this girl...I swear we do everything together now. Went on a beautiful drive up Hobble Creek Canyon on Sunday, and decided to get out and frolick in the snow. crazy. we may have froze our little buttooshkies off, but the sunset up there was to die for.

Switzerland

Truth: I'm in love with Switzerland.

French plus the Alps is straight up perfection in my book. Throw in that they've pretty much nailed the self-preservation tactic dead on, and we've got a winner. Uh-mazing. They always somehow manage to stay neutral and end up on top. I'm sure there are some cons somewhere, but my word, they've got my vote.

So...anyone want to relocate with me?

PC+L's Birthday

Perfect weekend.

Spent Friday and Saturday in Park City watching the world cup finals for bobsledding and skeleton racing. I'm such a mountain girl. Weekends like this make me question my sanity in moving out to NYC.

Lindsey's big 2-4 was Saturday too. Love her. Seriously, she's the greatest.

Bedtime

Dear Body,

Please can you try to actually fall asleep tonight and get a good night's rest? Oh wait, what? you'd love to? Thanks, I knew you'd understand. Socializing is extremely overrated and homework can just wait til tomorrow morning. Plus this whole not getting snuggled in under the covers until 2 in the morning then getting up early for school/work shenanagins just needs to stop.

love


B

Love Life

E.mo.tion
any of the feelings of joy, sorrow, fear, hate, love, etc.

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My opinion? Emotions are always the source of what causes you to grow the most. If you didn't ever feel joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or love you wouldn't have the opportunity to stretch, sometimes break, pull yourself back together, and grow from everything life throws at you. Do I enjoy everything that life throws at me? Absolutely not. But I'm learning how to be happy with what I'm handed...and just how to be happy in general :)

My Mom shared something with me that she learned in her stake conference this weekend. The key to happiness is making decisions that allow the spirit to be in your life. So true. (I really need to find a copy of this talk, it was given by President Eyring) Gave me a new perspective, that's for sure. If I'm not happy, what can I change that would allow the spirit to be more in my life?

November Sunshine

November is always the worst in UT. It's never warm enough to still do fun summer sports outside, but there isn't snow enough to do winter sports yet. So, naturally, you'll understand why I was STOKED that it was 68 and sunny today! In celebration, Karissa and I played tennis for a very blissful hour outside while soaking up the sun...loved it!

Wild Things

Halloween 2009: The Wild Things, complete with Danny as Max

(Michelle if you ever read this, I totally saw your blog after we made these too...too funny! love hoodie costumes! love Martha!)

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Oh and need we forget the amazing Real Game?

Such a fun Halloween with the crew...now why didn't we ever get a photo with all of us in it?

You Are Something Divine!

"You are something divine, More beautiful and glorious than you can possibly imagine. This knowledge changes everything. It changes your present. It can change your future. And it can change the world."

What an amazing thought.

Did anyone else listen to President Uchtdorf's talk Sunday night? It was truly amazing. I have so much respect and admiration for that man. If you didn't listen to it Sunday night, you can watch it here.

Hi, My Name is Brooke, I'm Married to L'Oreal Brandstorm...

Yup, it's true. Pretty much decided advertising is the reason I'm not dating anyone. Why? Because I seriously don't have time for anything else. For real. Like this post? Definitely writing it under the guise of this counting as a "break" from the precase study I'm working on.

please please please please pleeeeeaaaaaase let my team go on to the finals so that all this sleep and social deprivation can be justified. If not...hmm...I guess I'll be able to sleep more often.