Reflection

Standing in the bathroom - going through my usual routine.

*comb wet hair - towel dry hair so it looks like a wet dog - put in contacts - plug in straightener & hair dryer - comb hair again - put up in half bun thing so I can dry the bottom part - turn on the hot air - dry, dry, dry - straighten - repeat for top part of hair - eat breakfast - finish make-up - brush teeth*

I started to think. I thought about everything that I have accomplished in the past year or so. Graduation, Youth Programs, two fantastic learning experiences with guys (even though they both hurt like the dickens), two different banks, moving, snow - wind - rain - sunshine - hail - sand storm - cockroaches - spiders - humidity. I have done things I never thought I could - bought my very own car, driven to Utah and back by-my-self, coached a dance team (sooo funn!!), roomed with the best girls ever!, gone to three beautiful weddings, taught gospel doctrine, played the piano in sacrament. I have made some fantastic friends and come closer to my family - all of which who have helped me get through the terrible 2's (22.... terrible twos... ha!).

This made me wonder - who am I. As I looked in the mirror I could see all my imperfections - the huge round thing on my right eyebrow that won't seem to go away. The zits that Utah air seems to bring. Then I realized - I am Amber!!! a brick wall of unstoppable womanhood (thanks Christian...). I may not love all sports (more of a spectator for some) - I may not be the 'best' at any one thing - and I may LOOOVE to dance (which not many share such a passion) - but I am pretty cool. ;) go me!

So this is who I am a week after my 23rd birthday:
I am spunky.
I am goofy.
I am a Swing, Ballroom, living room, ridiculous looking 'stake dance' dancer.
I am passionate.
I fall hard - but gracefully.
I am fickle.
I am ridiculous.
I am talented.
I am loyal.
I am a shower singer.
I am thoughtful.
I am grateful most of the time.
I am occasionally moody.
I am hyper.
I am sad.
I am fantastic.
I am an open book.
I am diversified.
I am a cheerleader - from the background.
I am a good friend.
I am a hair-brush performer.
I am friend-happy.
I am dependable (unless it is something I reallllly don't want to do...then I should just learn to say no).
I am a sister, daughter, niece, grand-daughter, cousin.
I am a smile-a-holic.
I am a sob.
I am stressed out.
I am a bookworm.
I am pain - intolerant.
I am terrified of the ball.
I am adventurous.
I am not extra-ordinary - just me.
I am a tiger - and an eagle.
I am alive.
I am a daughter of God.
I am a fun junkie.
I am impatient.
I am musically inclined - but not excellent.
I am anxious.
I am a personal trainer - or atleast that is what I told my mom! lol
I am emotional.
I am motivated.
I am active.
I am work - play - and crazy - wrapped up in one.
I am overwhelming.
I am persistent.
I am a hard-worker.
I am overwhelmed.
I am a teacher.
I am an observer and a participant.
I am resilient.
I am in love - with life.

Why I love my Sister

This is my sister's blog. She is fantastic - and an amazing writer - and the linked posting encompassed many of my feelings today!

Happy Birthday to me -
I am Twenty three -

;)

p.s. Utah Wedding Details to come...
oh not my wedding! silly! ;)

A few lyrics that caught my attention

Did you fall from a shooting star?
I've been hanging around - way way way too long!
It's the reason we stay in the movie till the closing scene...

You don't know what you've got till it's gone...

Love Love Love Love - I do it for Love.

I know it's your soul - but could you bottle it up??

Your only going to get what you give away...

Head underwater - they tell me to breath easy for a while - breathing gets harder - even I know that
Dance a blue streak around my living -----
find what it means to be the girl

when I saw my reflection in her eyes - that's when I knew it was time
But -- I love that girl when she smiles
Say it again -
I wish the world would just spin faster --- you're looking at me - waiting to see the difference in me...
This is the third time I've made it down your street this week... but I'm not going anywhere... your the traffic in my head...
There is a beauty in walking away....
Let's just admit - we all want to make it true! - Ever ever after! it may only be a wish away!

Wordle

When I clicked on Janssen's blog today -- she had discovered this fantastic website Wordle. Much to my disappointment - I discovered that I could not play with this fun little doodle at work. Sooo after my date tonight - while watching the end of so you think you can dance - I decided I tooo haad to try it!!

I think I will title it: (drum roll pleeease)

"Just Friends"

2008 UPDATE III **EXTRA EXTRA!!**

UPDATE III:

After recent events (3 additions in one day!!) I had to update the world on my friends!!!

My wedding/engagement count for this year/summer:
4 roomies (Maps*, Lauren*, Steph, Cat)
1 pseudo little sister (Bri*)
7 Dancers engaged (Jared & Emily, Alecia, Peter, Alan & Jessica, Shadow)
2 cousin (Jen & Braden*)
20 friends engaged or will be (told on good authority...being themselves!) -Laurie, Mike, Jeremy, Justin, Joseph & Jill, Karalee, Audrey, Beau, Jeff (fhe bro), Kristy, Angela, Holly H., Katie, Trent, Brooke, Holly B. & John, Andrew, Bill L.
1 - guy named Jeff whose reception I went to with my friend ;)
14 friend already married - Heather, Sara, Lauren & Cody*, Sheldon & Shae, Christian & Amy, Natalie, Tracy, Nate & Kate, Holly M, Pat T.
TOTAL = 46 People I know and love & 1 person I did not know before

Italics = updated!
* = receptions I am hopefully attending

So I thought in honor of Weddings I would also note that of my college friends:
2 couple friend had a baby this year: Jeff & Amanda, (Mares & Ryan...love ya!)
2 couple friends are going to have babies: Cariann & Jeff, Jarom & Jessica

I am just so lucky to know so many people!!

p.s. I anticipate adding a few more to this list before the summer is over.... but I have learned nothing is official until the ring is on 'da finger! (personal experience) soo I'll hold off on my hopes for more of my friends! ;)
pps. If you read this -- and I have forgotten you -- please do not be offended - I am trying my best to keep up!!

update: thanks Cynthia for the update...I can't believe I almost forget Pat!!
7/10 update: sorry BILL!!! I almost forgot you!!!!

Remembering the 4th

I love the 4th of July!!!

Something has always happened on the 4th for me. During High School it was right after Cynthia's b-day -- soo independence day was filled with b -day celebrations - BBQ's - swimming - and fun-ness!

Going to college during the summer has its perks. I always loved the 4th of July because it was a day in the middle of the semester where there was no school - fireworks, hanging out with friends, no school, and each year was different in its own right.

Freshman Year
I was dating Ray at the time - and I remember the 4th because I remember taking a walk to Porter Park and sitting in the shade of the trees. Ray and I talked about life - reflecting on everything that was happening in our lives. He was going to start EFY - I was going to school for second block --- everything just seemed perfect for a moment. We even mulled around the idea of getting married! (wow -- looking back - I was no where near ready...) We ate lunch at BJ's Restaurant - and then went down to IF to watch the fireworks on the river. I remember getting eaten alive - but it was just nice to be.
(Sorry don't have anypictures of this event....)


Sophmore Year
I had just met Jarom - and we starting our friendship. He invited me to come to the Rexburg Parade with him and his family and then spend they day with them. (my roommates all went home b/c they were locals... soo I was by-my-self). It was seriously amazing. I remember just being welcomed in by his whole family - extended and all. They have the fabulous house on your way to Sugar City - with swings and volleyball - grass - wrap around porch. I remember chasing his younger siblings around - and just laughing like I had forgotten how to. As it slowly got dark - we lite fireworks and sparklers. It was fantastic. Jarom and I looked at picture books - and at the end of the night - I just wished I could stay forever. Surprisingly Jarom and I never dated - but I did spend New Years eve with his family also...


Junior Year
Cariann and I were roommates -joy!- and we had the coolest FHE brothers. We made plans to go with them to IF for day. I started the day being in the Rexburg Parade - on the BYU-I float!! sooo fun! :) Then we went down to IF and ate at TGIFriday's - I stubbed my toe on the door - we went down to the snake river- sat around playing cards- watching the people go by - taking pictures - and just having the best time. lol - I remember being so jealous of the 'old FHE sisters' b/c it seemed they knew so much more about our Bro's than we did. I remember how hard Cariann worked to get a picture of me and the one I had a crush on...lol :) good times!





(Cariann actually snagged one! lol yeah for Jeff!!)

Senior Year
I was working as a Program Assistant for BYU-I Youth Programs. AFY (adventure for Youth) was that week - my baby - so I was with a 100 Youth alllll week. It was so fun! On the 4th- we were taping the music videos they created - and then afterwards had to keep an eye on them all as they ran around until lights out. I remember a group of the guys + counselors were running at full-speed towards the hill in the Taylor Quad. They would run and then LEAP down the rolling hills --- seeing who could get the farthest. I still can't believe we didn't have to take anyone to the hospital for broken bones! :)

During this time I was also dating Rob. That weekend he came and friday night we went to the the drive-in movie theater- first time I saw Transformers (loooove that movie!!). Saturday morning - Lauren, Cody, Rob & I made breakfast and then went for an adventure. We drove up to Island Park and went 4-wheeling all the way into Yellowstone. It was windy - and really dusty!! I was petrified at first and so I held on to Rob for dear life (which I'm sure he did not mind one bit.) We would race Lauren and Cody - pass them - then they would pass us -- just laughing and having fun. The dust would just swirl around b/c it was so dry. The view was fantastic - yellowstone is so beautiful. It was one of the times I really felt something for Rob...and I just wanted to be with him -- freeze the moment and live in it. It was also one of the first times I realized what an awful significant other - and friend I was being - realized that I needed to figure things out --- interesting how conflicting life can be sometimes. But that day was perfect - I couldn't have asked for anything more -being with people I loved, having fun and enjoying America's ! (This was only my second time riding a 4-wheeler and the 1st time I have ever driven one!)








Post College

TBA

*2008 plans - Movie w/fam; Dianna's 4th Bash; Greenvalley Station Movie & Fireworks....

I love fireworks!!!

Thanks to all who keep my right to choose free!!!

Happy Independence Day to All!!!