I Won First Place!

Alas, two finals down and a billion to go. On Monday I thought I could finish this painting project after FHE and leave school around midnight. Well...I ended up being there until 6:15am Tuesday morning. I have to say...it was worth it. For the final they had our paintings judged by a panel from the theatre dept, and whoever won got an automatic A in the class, and then 2nd and 3rd place got 3 extra credit points. My goal was to be in the top 3...I was pretty sure I had an A, but it was riding really at a 90% maybe an 89%. And I'm a firm believer that if I'm getting a B...I'm getting a B...that to me is an 80%, not an 89%. But I won first PLACE!!!! Love it.

Standing on Holy Ground

Putti Putti Rockin' Everywhere!

So as I've mentioned my scene painting class....

Our last two projects were a lil' more difficult than our first of geometric shapes. But I've come to discover...I really enjoy painting. So here we have what is to be a folded piece of green fabric.

And our most recent project was what we call, "putties". Yes they are a real thing, they're cherubs...or fat baby angels. It only took forever and a day, but I finally finished. But for some of you...you know that song, "Booty booty booty booty, rockin' everywhere, rockin' everwhere, I found you miss new booty," etc...well every time I came in the paint shop and they said, "It's Putti time!" I just started sining and dancing, "putti putti putti putti rockin' everywhere!" Twas fun. Now it's the Putti Project theme song.

Our final project is marbleizing something. When my table is done I'll post photos. Until then, I bid you adieu.

Scrapbooking: the addiction

So I wanted to blog about my scrapbooking that I've been doing. I've finished the book about my travels in Europe and across the US, and now I'm working on High School Highlights! hahaha, you love it.

This first one is from when I was in Prague. It was my favorite city that we visited. We went to Munich, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Salzburg. And then when I got back, Hannah and I went to Long Island and NYC and Washington DC. Leanne's backyard is the beach....oh my word. Loved it.

Once Hannah and I got back from there, we headed off to CO for a wedding, which was fun, and then after that I went to California to stay with my friend Laura for 3 weeks. I met Lainie Kazan, which if you don't know who she is...google her. She was the mother in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

After that we were in Sedona and Kaitlin stopped in for a visit. Those girls were my life in high school. I still love and adore them!!

This next page is from my High School Highlights. (PS that needs to be said with a gay accent) I was Mae Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie sophomore year. Again...loved it.

So my next adventure is to finish a blanket I've started...but it's turning out some what horrifying. I'll post after Christmas... :)

Stars, Food, and Hostels oh my!

I just realized I need to assess some fun times I've had.

June 4-8 Lydia, Lani, and I went to NYC to see some shows, the city, and eat Korean food. We had a jam-packed, fun-filled agenda for the four days we were there. Lydia had never been, and we got to visit my friend Monica who let us stay with her...so nice! The first night we were there we did the lottery for tickets to "9-5" with Allison Janney....and Lani, Lydia, and myself all won. 4 tickets for $25 and 5th row orchestra...amazing. Once we were sitting down ready to see the show, I realized I knew someone in the cast!! Kathy Fitzgerald had come to Sedona when I was in 6th grade and then again when I was a senior in high school. Awesome! Afterward we got to meet them both! Here's a picture with Monica and Allison:

NY was awesome and we got to see Wicked and In the Heights also!!!

I will share this...on the last night we couldn't stay with Monica since she was going out of town, so we thought we would go to a hostel...cheap, easy for travelers, etc. We booked it that morning and figured we'd be in room with mostly girls. (We weren't thrilled that guys would be there, but there really wasn't another option) We spent the morning on the lower east side, ate some delicious mac and cheese and (HUGE) cupcakes, and then took the subway up to our hostel....on 114th street...we were on 6th street. I happened to notice at about 90th, we were the only white people on the train. Then when we got to 114th, we were also the only one's who spoke English. We get off at the cross between Spanish Harlem and Harlem, and I was praying the entire time for Heavenly Father to keep us safe. We checked in to the hostel, which was only like 8 blocks from the subway, but when we turned the corner I notice a NYPD van and four cab cars. Super. Once we checked in...we decided to leave again to go out. The hubbub was a couple blocks from where we were, but we were still moving quickly. I was praying pretty much harder than I had in a while and when we looked up....who was there? Missionaries!!! Oh I just breathed audibly and said, "Hold on girls...we need to say hi, they were sent for us" Oh it was just so cool!! 

We went off to see a show and grab dinner, but didn't want to be returning to our hostel in Harlem too late. When we arrived, we were the last ones in our room....which was now filled with 7 European boys in their tightie whities, one of which was modeling a shirt he just purchased that day. Oh. My. Word. At that moment I was glad we had already been to the Temple...because ugh. Naturally there weren't three beds together so Lydia had a bottom bunk, Lani had a top bunk next to Lydia's bunk beds, and then Sasha was on the other side of the room on a top bunk with a perfect view of Mr.-Dutch-I-adjust-myself-every-5-seconds man. I didn't get into PJs, I read until 2:30am, and we were outta there by 7:30am. 

This trip taught me a lot

1) Don't be surprised at who you see on stage...you may know them

2) Always have a camera with you

3) Friendships can last miles

4) People in the subway are willing to sing about anything...even cankles

5) Cupcakes that are bigger than your fists should be admired not eaten

6) Always bring Lani to a show lottery (she won for In the Heights too...first one called BOTH times)

7) European boys adjust themselves constantly and smell. 

Updates, updates, and so much more!

So it has been far too long since I have written a blog entry. School has completely taken over my life, which I don't exactly appreciate. And I really have wanted to take pictures of a few things to put on here. But alas, I'll have to digress (to turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument-so ha it fits in this scenario) since I didn't get pictures.

First: In order to finish my minor I need 9 upper division units in theatre arts. The class I was able to fit in my schedule this semester was scene painting. I've gotta say, I love it. I get to paint for 2 hours twice a week. My first project was shapes, and my second project was a picture of folded fabric. It sounds lame, and it didn't turn out that well, but I'll post a picture soon. 

B: School is always a frustration, but it's because I just want to be done oh so badly. I only need 120 credits to graduate, and when I finish I'll have about 160. Taking 20 units a semester can really just annoy a person to death. But I'm going to have to work through it. Next semester, hopefully, three of my classes will be through correspondence, which means my butt doesn't have to be in a chair for those hours a day and I can just do the assignments....uh thank you!

Fourth: Kenz had her babies as mentioned before, and their blessing was last week. I can't explain how wonderful it was to hear her husband giving them the Priesthood blessing they deserved from him. I was just so happy to be in the presence of a huge family welcoming these babies to this earth, officially. :D The Spirit was so strong, and I just appreciate being associated with this family and I love them SO MUCH!

Side note: I had to leave during a talk in Sacrament meeting since someone needed a key from my car. It wouldn't have been so bad...but you know that moment when you're walking around someone and you plan out your steps JUST enough to walk over them...and then they move THEIR foot? Hmmm, horrible. Well that happened to Keragyn and I, and as I walked out of the pew I completely tripped over her foot, and nearly fell on my face....during a talk....wearing neon purple tights (shut up, don't judge me, they're cute). How reverent of me.  Oh well, it was such a treat.

The rest of my time has been spending as much time as I can with the kiddos and Kenz. It's been fun, and Duncan and I match hair sometimes. 

 

I Feel So Morm. My First Quilt!

So I'm not the most sally homemaker woman in the world, but all of a sudden this summer I've been hit by the Mormon bug. My best friend had beautiful twins and I really wanted to learn how to make a quilt or two. So I started simple, and it turned out to BE SO CUTE!!!! I can't believe I did it, but...it makes me excited to be a mom. Thanks to Jessie...I've learned a new skill! :)

We went to the fabric store...twice.... Jessie's such a good teacher that I was going faster than we had enough fabric for. :)

Here I am...hard at work on the most beautiful sewing machine known to man. 

Here it is! It just needs the binding! This was at 1:00am, so don't judge us. Next blog...I think I'll cover: Scrapbooking; the addiction. 

Sweat

I love it. I love to create it, wear it, and wipe it off. There's something so invigorating about working so hard that my entire body perspires. I just feel all the blood rushing in my veins and then my muscles loosening and feeling strong. I go through phases of working out and I wish that it would just be consistent. And I love listening to energizing music and day dreaming whilst working out. Like about dances I could make up to the songs I'm hearing, and then naturally where I (and a group of dancers that, understandably, aren't as good as I am) would perform them. What places I could be running if I were actually outside. The success of when I'm 20 pounds lighter and could just run for...minutes at a time. I'm talkin', 20. Anyway, I'm feelin' good. 

Tomorrows challenge: Do not eat myself into a CYT Pizza Friday oblivion. I'll keep you posted. 

Georgia On My Mind

We've officially completed about 1500 miles of our trip and it has been a blast. It's a small space and we've got a lot of love to fit in that car, but we are working through it. I have to say...we were gonna try and do a DQ Cross Country Adventure, but we didn't see one in New Mexico and when we stopped in Texas I was less than impressed. They were out of small cones, they double dipped Kelsie's, and it just became a whoppin' mess. Not okay. There wasn't one in Louisiana, however...here in Mississippi, DQ has redeemed itself. Best customer service here, too.

Tomorrow's the last day of our trip and the drive will only be 8 hours. Yes, I said ONLY. I'm lookin' forward to some southern cooking, I'm not gonna lie. Keeping myself busy hasn't been that hard...I've been reading a Sherman Alexie book, the Doctrine and Covenants, Conference Ensign (Perhaps I should have grabbed the May and June still in their plastic...I'm a bad person, I know). And let's not forget some blank pages for my possibilities book. Shout out to Elspeth, everyone should have a possibilities book! Good on ya! Right now I've got more superficial things such as "looks" and outfits and there's a heros section. Anyway, this trip makes me wanna add a few things such as:

Travel: places I would love to vacation

Temples: I would like to find one that I am attached to to be married in. I mean, I do love the Mesa Temple since it was the first one I did work in, but we shall see. And I just want to see more!

Food: What I'd like to learn to cook and food I'd like to eat that was prepared for me!

Hotels: Ones I'd like the stay in with my future husband, ie: I love the idea of road trips. Who knows what's out there? Heavenly Father has blessed us with so much and I've never been interested until now.

I'm very grateful for all my many blessings thus far, and when we finally get to Georgia and we travel around I'll blog about that.

It has begun

The photo shoots have begun for some POSSIBLE modeling. I don't know where it could take me. I need to get auditions first and in order to do that I need a portfolio. My ideal plan: Photo shoots are done and portfolio started. I come back from my American Idol audition next Friday with a ticket to Hollywood for the fall. In the meantime, I audition for modeling and get a few photo shoots. Money is saved and then American Idol comes on and I'm paid each week I make it through. Money is saved again, and before I know it my Reliv business has taken off, hundreds of people are feeling better than they ever have before, my loans are paid off, and I GO ON A MISSION, totally a little bit famous! :D

Bette on Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List

Well I just finished watching the premiere of that show on YouTube. I'm a bad fan and I missed the actual show a couple nights ago. It was WAY cool to see Bette just walking around Caesars Palace just shleeben shlaben it up in public. She was a little rough on Kathy, and most people read it as her Diva self just being too stuck up. In fact...quite the opposite. Well, no. She IS a Diva, please, she's earned that title. BUT Bette came across rude because while the Divine Miss M puts on a show with no class and a lot of brass, Bette Midler, the person does not, in fact, enjoy vulgarity. Regardles...the two of them had great chemistry and it was hilarious! And Kathy did exactly what makes her Kathy...on the D list. :D I loved it. And one day I WILL meet Bette. Man, I gotta get to Vegas and be there when she's just waltzin' around the casino! Sheesh!

True Lies: Check

Degrassi: Check

American Red Cross Sandals: Check

TBA: Tye Dye, Canvas Crafts, and Degrassi T-shirts! :)

And We're Off!

Summer has arrived and I can't explain the delight of absolute freedom. There is so much I want to do with my time that I can't help but sleep in order to calm myself. I'm going to try and be better about the whole sleeping in thing now that some things are starting to create a routine for me. I've got the greatest vacation lined up: New York City for a couple of days, loads of Degrassi, voice lessons, work for a youth theatre, some amazing craft projects, and maybe a road trip to Georgia. 

But above all I'm looking forward to gaining a stronger testimony of family history. I know it's important, believe me. A part of me feels like that's the reason I was baptized: to make sure my family had someone to do their work for them. The other part of me feels like I was baptized to go on a mission. Regardless of what Heavenly Father has in store for me, I'm going to make the most of the time I have on this earth. I know that my role in the Plan of Salvation is needed, and I want to do my best to be prepared to go through the Temple and bring his spiritual children to this life. 

I spent the weekend in Mesa with Kelsie (and her preeetty phenomenal fam) and on Sunday I went to Gospel Doctrine rather than Gospel Principles. It was a good lesson and at one point they asked a question that I KNEW the answer to, but naturally I was too scared to be wrong, so I told the person next to me what I thought it was and then someone eventually answered, and alas...I was dead on. At first I was mad that I didn't answer when I should have, but then I realized...this is it. I'm starting to just know without having to wonder. I'm just so baffled that something this "out there" (as some I know call it) and something so scriptorally (I made it up...get over it) based makes so much sense to me. I avoided things like this my entire life...and I'm glad Heavenly Father sent my best friend when he did. I was ready. 

Don't get me wrong..I'll be lovin' me some GP for the next 6 months, but I'm glad that I'm realizing I can stop second guessing myself all the time. 

And just to add to my list of events..I can cross of "Verizon" from my to-do list. They were supposed to send me my rebate MONTHS ago, and tonight I got so sick of these papers on my printer that when I pulled out my file thing to put it all away, a box fell down and there was my camera dock...which charges and downloads photos! (It's been lost for two months) And while organizing I found my social security card as well (thought I lost it two years ago), my United Mileage info, my secondary loan info (which I needed to find out what it was so I can make a payment on it), and an envelope from Verizon which contained a $50 visa card in it. Who'da thunk?

Free at Last!

I have officially been up for 21 hours. My last finals were today and I'm SOOOO EXCITED to be done with my technically Junior, yet still stickin' through my "sophomore" year of college. My advice to incoming frosh: You better know right now what you want to do for the rest of your life because changing majors is a brat and you'll never get out on time. But I had a lil bit of Home Teaching, and then I watched my best friend get hooded for her masters. Her kids were drivin' me nuts, but I love 'em! Dinner with the "fam" and a chat with the bestie...leading in to Angels and Demons-the midnight showing. Great movie...but the book is better. Isn't it always? All in all--a good day, but I'm pooped. 

I'm out.

"Maybe I can pass him...in neutral."

So Colton and I headed to Mt. Lemmon (already our second attempt) this morning for a nice afternoon of what we thought would be walking around Summer Haven ("the name of the town on Mt. Lemmon"). Little did we know the Lord had something else, entirely, planned for the day. We're about 17 or 18 miles up that mountain and I feel the car jerking. At first I thought Colton was doing it on purpose...you know, pushing on the gas pedal over and over...and over again. But then I looked over at him to be like, "haha, ok not funny, I'm gonna be naush," and I see him staring down with a look of confusion. I realized, it was not on purpose. We pull over to just make sure that it's not serious, and then we keep going. Then while driving up hill the car quickly begins to slow down. This was no joking matter. We pull over again, and for some reason...decide to give it another try and keep going. Then it's putterin' real bad, and at that point we don't wanna risk it and turn around. To stop that jolting feeling and sound, Colton puts the car in neutral and we're cruisin' down the hill. All is pretty well and dandy until I hear, "Oh my car just died." I'm all, "Uhhh what? How can you tell" And he says, "Because it's off...we're just cruising in neutral. And I have no power steering or breaks." 14 Cruising miles later we reach the bottom of the hill and make a turn to a friend's house. At this point though, the car is reignited and we keep driving, to see if it'll make it home. It did a lot more than that. 

Luckily, these little pullouts are quite often...so we were able to asses the problem.

This is us, assessing the problem. As you can see...I'm a big help.

And here we are...cruising down the hill in neutral. 

But as I said...once we got the bottom, our adventure did not stop there. Oh no. We decided to go to the post office so Colton could mail some grad app stuff. (I have no idea actually...I wasn't paying attention.) But the woman behind the counter, who had no intention of sharing an ounce of joy that day, made us get a different form and then come back in line. And the man she's helping in the photo was actually very smelly. 

And naturally while out running errands, we must pick up a mouse from the pet store so Colton can feed it to his snake. I have a little bit of a hard time with that....first of all: I feel bad when rocks are kicked out of their gravel area because I feel like they've formed bonds/friendships with the rocks they were around and then they're alone. And second: When the man opened the cage they all piled on top of each other, I'm sure, in hopes that as a combined force could over-power the human. 

Anyway...Colton on any errand is a man on a mission. And in a stinky pet store, he's a little bit like a fat kid in a bakery. Not sure what to do with himself...and wants to look at it all. This next photo is always the vision I have of Colton whilst in public...10 paces ahead and moving quickly. 

And lastly...you gotta end the day with a little DQ. You can't go wrong.

Stake Conference

Well it's Sunday and the last lil sesh of Stake Conference ended. Being a new convy people always ask, "Oh is this your first ____?" Usually that answer is yes: Baptism, Stake Conference, Ward Conference, Missionary discussion, Institute Dance, etc. Elder Bruce C. Hafen was the general authority (does that need to be capitalized? General Authority...there) presiding over our Conference...I just gotta say: I loved it. The talks given were really sweet and genuine and some of them super humorous. I really can appreciate a little humor in a talk. Because I'm new I'm still in the "I really want to pay attention" stage, but it's nice to see others around me perk up with a little Mormon humor. 

I found the joy of doodling while speakers were talking, but always something pertaining to what they were talkin about. Like the Temple or Missionary Badges or a tree when talking about family geneology. Anyway, I wanted to comment on The Spirits presence in the room. At one point I felt like I could see a smile on everyone's face....all for different reasons, but still. Some people were smiling because they loved their spouse sitting next to them so much they couldn't help but feel sheer joy. And others were smiling because a woman in the choir looked like Professor Snape. Regardless all children of God were sitting in that room and The Spirit was really strong for me. I got a lil teary eyed just realizing what I have a hold of in my life now, and the endless possibilities for my family now. No one will be left behind. 

Gotta run to eat with the Missionaries. It's nice to have a boyfriend who is needed as a Priesthood holder for dinners. We're a package deal sometimes and I get a free meal. Holla. 

Peace Out-

Underwear. Period.

Make of that title what you will....It made me laugh. "hhhhh-HA!"

But the subject matter I find absolutely fascinating. There are all sorts of cuts of underwear, styles, shapes, and colors. Do you go for a pattern, non-pattern? There's night time, "that time of the month" undies..let's be real ladies, you're gonna stain 'em. Mine as well re-stain the same ones. Can I get an Amen? AMEN. Just me? Alright fine.

Now, the comfort level is really where people go astray. I understand that with shoes: pain is beauty. But with underwear...I don't agree. There's nothing I hate more than when a girl sits down and either her muffin top is out or the top of her G-string is a showin'...0r when it's both, I want to vomit. Oh the G-string. Just the title of it makes me cringe a little. Why is it G? Why not V? I mean, really. Now, I'm all about loving your body and feeling confident in the clothes and unders that you wear, but that little piece of floss can NOT be doing anything. I don't know, do what you want, but please...cotton is your friend, and I don't want to see your rolls. 

Out.

Switching Sides on the Picket Line

So, if you don't know yet, I'm Mormon. Take a breath, sit down, and chew on it. It's delicious. Now..let me lay out this last Saturday for y'all. It was the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple, and a bunch of friends from my ward were going early for a pool party. So this day was jam-packed with fun, food, and Morms! After working through a food-induced coma we are heading to the Temple and I see a booth saying "Free Hinkley DVD!" and at that point I'm super excited and say, "Okay...I'm getting all the free stuff I can! And that DVD is mine!" Well we walk up to them, but then realize that we have to fill out a form and listen to a schpeal...yadda yadda, so we were gonna get it later. As our group is walking towards the temple, and a guy is handing out a pamphlet. Naturally, I grab one with sheer enthusiasms and a huge smile on my face. Then....I look around at muh group, and they are not taking one, nor do they look joyed that I have one. In fact...they're looking at me strange. Then Lydia leans to me and says, "Ummm Sasha, that's anti-Mormon." I was caught off-guard, didn't know what to do, so I threw it madly to the ground and in a high pitch screamed, "WHAT?!" 

Now, am I proud of that reaction? Not per-say. The gentlemen did walk over and pick it up, and while I wanted to mangle the paper and spit on it... I didn't. We walked in to the pageant and I was like a Missionary magnet. Every time we turned around there they were asking me about my conversion story. 

But it was interesting to be on the other side. To be the one offended by protestors rather than being one. Not that I opposed the Church before...let's be real, I didn't know what it was. But I definitely participated in events that needed support from non-Christian members. Regardless, I'm grateful for both events, and am happy to be a part of the Truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.