Katie's super lame and can't write her own post

Hi everyone! This is Kelsie aka Katie's sister.

As you can see by the title of this post Katie is super lame and can't write her own post, therefore I am here to update you on the going-ons of Katie's life. We have a lot to catch up on, it's been a while. Let us begin.

First off we have a new world traveler!

Katie and Brooke went on a cruise to Mexico. The highlights of the cruise were:

1. THE FOOD lots and lots of yummy food
2. the serenity deck where Katie read 4 books
3. the gorgeous beaches
4. walking on the ocean floor
5. holding a puffer fish while on the ocean floor
6. getting to wear a swimsuit ALL day
7. bargaining with the locals for an awesome deal
8. watching the movie trailers and ONLY movie trailers, in between showings of movies on tv
9. laying in the sun and getting a sweet tan/weird sunburn
10. did I mention the food?

As I list these things off it makes me way jealous that I was not in attendance to this lovely cruise, but it's ok because Katie brought back a cool belt for me. Katie really should do her own post about the food because I have heard a TON about the food and since I wasn't there to experience it I don't feel like I can do it justice.

Next we have a working woman!

Katie started her new job! She can officially say she is an adult because she has a grown-up job. There is some advantages and disadvantages to her new job. The advantages are that she works way closer, she earns more money so she can spoil me, she is putting her college degree to use, and she gets a sweet badge. The disadvantages are that she works ALL THE TIME, so I don't get to see her as much and that she can't take a vacation any time she wants.

And last, but not least, she is getting a new roommate!

You'll never guess who it is..... ME! I'm sitting here watching her pack all of her things and boy, does she have a butt load of stuff! Soon enough she will be all moved out and she will be happily situated in our new apartment where we will make fun, new memories. It does make me a little sad to see her leaving this apartment because it's been my second home for the past 2 years. I even have my own toothbrush here. Luckily we will be living in the same place soon!

Well now you know all about Katie's life from the past couple of months! I'm glad I could catch you up!

Oh and this is what happens when you pack!

4th of July

I love the 4th of July. I love the history, the traditions, the celebrations, the excitement, pretty much everything about it. And, to top it off, I spent my 4th of July in Provo, UT. I've said it before, but Provo KNOWS how to do the 4th of July. I've never experienced a 4th of July quite like it anywhere else. There is so much hype and excitement you just can't help but feel proud to be an American.

I mean where else can you do fireworks pretty much the whole week before and after, including, for the first time ever, aerial fireworks! This year was the first year aerial fireworks were legal in Utah and people went kind of crazy with it. I think Utahans probably spent a collective bazillion dollars on fireworks this 4th of July.

And, where else do people camp out for the 4th of July parade? I don't mean set out some chairs the night before and go home and sleep in your comfy bed, in your air conditioned house. I mean CAMP OUT. With tents and air mattresses and barbecues staking your spot roadside. This picture is from last year early on in the day before the parade - trust me it got even more intense. Whole families sleep out on the street in their tents. It pretty much turned into a city wide, night long party right outside my building, because I live on the parade route.

And don't think I didn't participate, even though I think it's delightfully crazy, because I definitely participated. On Saturday night I watched Stadium of Fire from the roof of my building after climbing up a precariously placed stack of tables and a ladder. On Sunday I played games, did sparklers, talked, laughed, went to Denny's at 1 in the morning (you know when you're tired and everything is a bazillion times funnier...yeah), watched The Sandlot in a tent, and finally collapsed into bed at 4am. After a full 3 hours of sleep I was awakened by the cheering for the Freedom Run. Personally, I thought everyone making noise should have their freedom revoked, but that's not what America is about...I guess. Monday was full of parade watching, resting on the couch, fireworks buying, barbecue preparing, eating, games, explosions, and celebrating.

We (meaning, Brooke, Kelsie, Elsa, Brian, Brandon, Matt, and I) had an awesome barbecue at Elsa and Brian's house. Brooke, Kelsie, Elsa and I all decided that it made us feel very grown up organizing our own barbecue. We had good food, played Scattergories and Pit, did fireworks, and made smores.

Overall it was an amazing 4th of July.

This is also from last year. They handed out newspapers with a "name the presidents in order" activity. And, I did it without any help. I just needed to make sure the world saw the documentation of my success.

(I'll add more pictures from this year as soon as I get them from Kelsie and Elsa...probably)

Gilmore Girlsesque

I feel like my life has been on fast forward the past little bit and that I haven't had time to think - let alone blog! So in keeping with my last couple posts, this one is going to also be a whirlwind of images, thought, and obscure references. Just like Gilmore Girls. Also I have cleaning checks tomorrow and haven't started my jobs yet at its 11:12 pm. But this is way more important than living in a clean apartment.

First of all, Elsa and Brian got married.

I'm still trying to get use to the idea. Elsa is the first of my close friends to get married, so it's kinda weird. I'm so happy for her and Brian, I know they're going to be very happy together. Now I can't wait until I get married so that we can be married friends together!

In other news, I have officially gotten my money's worth out of my Seven Peaks pass. When I bought it I was most excited about the unlimited access to the one water park in Utah Country and was thought eh about Trafalga. But now, I realized how mistaken I was to discount Trafalga! As part of the Trafalga pass you get unlimited games of laser tag, and on Friday night Brooke, Kelsie, Lauren, Seth, and I went and played 3 games of laser tag in a row. It was so much fun, our team won 2 out of 3 games, and the code names for the guns were awesome. For example, there was Princess, Reptar, Voldmort, Dumbldor, and many more. If we had paid for each of those games it would have been $18 each, but because of our amazing Pass of All Passes we did it for free! Brooke and I have decided that whenever we're bored we're just gonna go play laser tag!

Following the fun at Trafalga we headed over to Strawberry days in Pleasant Grove and walked around the carnival.

We had amazing strawberries and cream. It's the specialty of Strawberry Days. And now I can't wait until next year when I can have it again!

Doesn't it just seem like a carnival from Stars Hollow?! It was so much fun, and just another reason why I love Provo in the summer. Provo in the summer also reminds of The Sandlot. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Sandlot was filmed in Utah, but every once in a while I just have these feelings that if I walk around the corner there is going to be a dust pit of a baseball diamond with a bunch of little boys playing ball and putting the moves on the lifeguard.

I also found another new show that I have quickly gotten obsessed with. It's called H2O: Just Add Water.

Oh boy. That looks as embarrassing typed out as it sounds when you say it out loud. It's another Summer I Turned Pretty situation.

Anyways, its an Australian TV show about 3 teenage girls who turn into mermaids and have super powers. The acting is bad, the story is cheesy, and I love it! It probably has something to do with either my obsession with mermaids or my obsession for juvenile shows and books. It's on Netflix, so really if you have a spare 20 minutes, which could easily turn into 20 hours you should check it out.

Why do I avoid things like cleaning checks?!?!?!

I'm coming home, I'm coming home, tell the world I'm coming home

Yes, it's true I am now home in FresYes.

But before we get to that, let's talk about Friday night!

(Also, get prepared because this is going to be a marathon post. I just have a lot to say. Luckily, Brooke has been training. Since she got 12 posts behind and then got caught up she is prepared for the longest post ever. You've been warned. But I promise there will be pictures, videos, singing, and wittiness.)

So, this summer there is a series of rooftop concerts the first Friday of every month in Provo. Last night was Megan Smith, who has a song on the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack. It was a lot of fun and it was a beautiful night.

There were so many people we couldn't even see the stage. So I have absolutely no idea what the singer's looked like.

I was obsessed with the paper lanterns they had hanging. I thought they were so pretty. I also got 2 new headbands. People had set up booths outside the concert, and one lady was selling these awesome homemade headbands for $4 each, so I bought 2. Here is Kelsie modeling one of them.

I think this rooftop concert series is such a good idea. It is one more reason why Provo is the best place to spend summers.

Now to the main event.

I am HOME!!!

Kelsie and I drove home to Fresno yesterday.

We're here for KarKar's high school graduation. Isn't she so pretty?

The drive was very uneventful except for the 28 police cars we saw along the way. We made it through ticketless, but there was a couple close calls. Boy, do those cops like to hide! At one point just outside of Bakersfield we saw 16 cops because they were in the middle of a man hunt. An armed robber was hiding out in a vineyard, but luckily they caught him.

This is what 99% of the drive through California looks like.

And this is how Kelsie and I spend most of our time driving.

Would you look at the price of gas in Barstow? $4.59!!! Luckily we've done this drive so many times we know to go a little bit further into the city to get gas, so we ended up getting gas for $3.91. Which is still ridiculous.

The weather was gorgeous until we started descending into the San Joaquin Valley. And then it got crappy fast. And it hasn't gotten any better since we've been home.

Did you know that Tatooine is actually located in Central California?

If you know anything about me, you'll know that I love McDonalds. One of the best sandwich's they have is the McChicken. In Provo, for some bizarre reason, they only have Hot 'n Spicy McChickens. Which are nasty. As soon as we could, Kelsie and I stopped and got regular McChickens.

The best part of the McChicken is the mayonnaise. Which I know is gross. But it's just so good!

After 11 and 1/2 hours of boring driving we arrived home. But we barely recognized our childhood dwelling. In the past few weeks my parents have gotten our house painted and the backyard redone. And it looks amazing.

Right now I'm laying on the couch on the porch while there is an awesome thunder and lightening storm pouring down on us. And it is freaking awesome!!!

So far home has been delightful. I've eaten steak. I've played the piano. I've practiced driving stick shift in my dad's Mustang (more on that later!). I've browsed our DVR recordings and plotted out what I'm going to watch. I've played with Ryen, Peyten, and Camden. And, I've spent time with my family, which is really the whole reason I come home.

Didn't I tell you it'd be a long post?

But wait! You can read more about it at http://kelsie-stuart.blogspot.com/

Today is...

NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY!!!

Today is right up there in the top 5 best days of the year. At Krispy Kreme they give you free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day. My awesome roommates went there this afternoon and got their free doughnuts and bought a dozen doughnuts so that I could have one. And so that we could all eat more than one...

I might have to take Kelsie there later tonight and get more free doughnuts.

Jess has really enjoyed the doughnuts. So much that she just collapsed on the floor in mine and Brooke's room. It is possible that she is just avoiding her econ homework...

I love summer

I think it's a newfound love, or maybe just a greater appreciation. I've always loved summer, but summer here in Provo is so different. It's full of friends, family, books, and sun. But I think this summer will be different because I don't have school looming in the future and I'm able to just relax and enjoy life.

The past couple days it has felt like summer is finally on its way, despite all of the crazy rain we've been having. And, this summer has the prospect of being EPIC. And these are the reasons why:

1. 7Peaks/Trafalga pass - I haven't bought it yet, but I will
2. Cruise in July with Brooke
3. No school in the fall
4. Provo City Library Summer Reading Program. It started today and I'm freaking excited about it.
5. We have recently discovered how many movies the library has and will be taking full advantage. Brooke, Jess, and I have already enjoyed Emma and Somewhere in Time and are looking forward to Nicholas Nickelby
6. I fully intend to get an awesome tan. Not lifeguarding and swimming status, but just enough to make me look alive through out the winter...
7. TacoTime. A new one just opened up down the street from work and I am obsessed with it. It is seriously my kind of place. They have mexifries (aka tattertots) and a Chicken BLT burrito. How can it get better than that?
8. Fourth of July in Provo. I don't know why, but Provo just knows how to do the Fourth of July.
9. Sandals
10. Shaved Ice stands on every corner
11. Light outside until 9:30
12. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART II.

Doesn't that have the makings of an awesome summer?

Somewhere In Time

Have you ever seen or heard of this movie? It came out in 1980 and features Christopher Reeve (aka Superman) and Jane Seymour. And I must say Christopher is way more attractive that I ever assumed. But, anyways, this movie, Somewhere In Time, was amazing. It involves a guy, Richard, who goes back in time and madly falls in love with a famous stage actress, Elise, in 1912, then he is heartwrenchingly pulled back into the present and must cope with a broken heart.

Sounds exactly like my type of movie.

And it was my type of movie. I was able to predict a bunch of stuff that was going to happen. Which I love to do, just ask my roommates. I'm also very accurate, just ask my roommates.

This movie also reaffirmed my hatred of pennies. See, because in the movie the way Richard goes back in time is by disassociating himself with all things from the present and then hypnotizing himself that he's in 1912. (Really that's a stupid way to time travel, but, oh well, they didn't ask me to write the screenplay) As part of his preparations he went and got authentic money from the turn of the century and replaced his modern money with it. But, after Richard and Elise fall in love and are all happy, he goes to pull out some money and grabs and 1970s penny that he missed and it tragically pulls him back into the future. So, see, pennies really are the bane of our existence on earth.

Another reason this was my type of movie was because of all the plot holes. Movies and stories with plot holes allow me to explain them and make them better with legit and absurd reasons. It also just convinces me that I should be a writer because I would have satisfactorily filled in all the plot holes.

I also loved the fashion in this movie, it was just so romantic. And the hotel was gorgeous.

Now, if only I could forget about Christopher Reeve's heartbroken and love starved face, I would be able to completely focus on the precious love story that crosses time and space and deals with the pangs of disappointed love.

What a day

Today, well I guess yesterday, was a very busy day.

1. I woke up and walked to campus with Elsa and picked up my cap and gown for graduation.
2. I studied for my last test ever. So it was really funny, at one point right before we went to take our test, Elsa and I were reading over our notes and I came to the word Pope but saw poop, and we spent at least 5 minutes laughing so hard we were crying. And it wasn't even that funny...
3. I took my last test EVER. Elsa and I prepared one question from each section of the test, because that was perfect for all the other tests in this class, but of course the one question Dr. Pixton decided to change was one of the questions we prepared
4. I finished season 3 of Lost - intense. And they showed the future!
5. I played Sims 3 and Sims Medieval - both of which are super fun.
6. I saw my Grandpa.
7. I went to the Skyroom for lunch with Elsa and my family
8. I wrote 16 blue-book pages on my Middle Ages final
9. I finally paid my late fee from a physical science test I took fall semester and my graduation application fee that was charged to my account in December

But most importantly. I FINISHED SCHOOL FOREVER. Tomorrow is graduation. I'm super excited.

Green eyed monster...

...of jealousy.

It has taken over my soul.

Want to know why?

Because, Brooke, the TRAITOR, got to play with Barbie's today. She went home to sunny California and played with Barbie's today.

That's why.

And I had to go to school and work, in Utah.

And I have issues growing up and want to play with Barbie's too.

I guess I'll just have to play with my Little Mermaid Barbie sitting on my dresser. It's the only solution. And its SO much more appealing than writing my last paper.

Which reminds me of this video Kelsie shared with me.

Also, I saw this picture of Vanessa Hudgens today when I was catching up on my celebrity gossip.

Did she really think this outfit was a good idea? Everything about it is wrong.