Making a come-back

So. This week has been ridiculous, but I have loved every moment of it. But I have decided to make a special appearance in the middle of the week on my blog. Mostly just because every thing that I needed to get done major for the quarter is finally finished today until Finals week (at least school-wise). Now I need to focus on packing. I know. I'm moving all of my stuff out this weekend and I think I'm underestimating the amount of stuff I have. So the question is, do I spend the rest of my night packing or starting my calculus homework? Both seem pretty tedious.

Today: I got to take a nap!!!!!! It. Was. Glorious. I couldn't fall asleep for a while which was annoying but I enjoyed trying to and then in the end my entire nap was just wonderful. Then I was awoken by Myke (sorry Myke if I gave away your secret) who I haven't seen in 8 months and we went to dinner. How amazing it is to see friends. I lovve it! Then I planted little baskets for our adopt-a-grandma program with Relief Society and went to deliver. It was so fun. The Grandma I delivered to lives in an assisted living home who recently got married to a man who happened to live in the same building just on a different floor. And we see that there is hope for us all yet, so say my 28-30 year old unmarried friends. I don't think they're to that level yet but I guess whatever hope we can grab we should take.

Anyways, I better get back to doing something productive.

Weekend plans?

move, bike, eat, sleep, listen to an excessive amount of A Fine Frenzy, call lots of people to just chat, cheer for the end of school. the end.

I guess I could say...

How I love:

Aunt Stephanie- she makes me smile. Happy (Belated) Birthday Aunt Steph!

Firesides involving real fire- For those of you who missed it, you missed out (except for the smell of smoke on church clothes- that could very well have been missed). Marshmallows, chocolate of many varieties, graham crackers, homemade root beer, pineapple lemonade, and many people to meet and mingle with. What can I say more?

Grandmas- I have many. The ones who let me stay at their house and study for 5 hours. The ones who sneak for me gourmet rice krispie treats (can that happen, gourmet rice krispie treats?) Grandmas who let me take them out to dinner.

Hikes in the Cascades- I really do love hiking. Even if it's wet (yep, you read that right) I really enjoy traipsing up a mountain. The best part is, correction, the two best parts are, the people you are traipsing with are stuck with you so you can chat about lots of things, AND guess where you are at night? After taking a wonderful shower you are sleeping in your comfy bed, not on the hard ground. (ok, ok, I know that I have a lot to get over but let's be honest, I come by my inability to sleep on the ground honestly ;))

Watching movies by yourself- Last night I enjoyed one of my favorite movies and totally just giggled to myself the whole time. It was really enjoyable. I haven't giggled like that for a long time. And yes, it was giggling not laughing, I really don't giggle enough.

University 3rd Ward- Sacrament meeting was hilarious. the end.

Watching love happen- there has been lot's of that in the past 5 months. This year was to be one of entertainment for me and I was right. There is so much going on all the time I am amazed!

Thomas Jason Nicholas- he's awesome. So is his beard. I really just wanted to shout out to him again because he makes me laugh. Don't worry, it's not some weird obsession.

Kristine Booth- I asked her to find something for me on the internet cheaper and she totally found it super cheap. What amazing skills she has!

The whole darn Booth family- what can I say more?

Well. I ran out of things that I love. I'm sure that I could think of more but I have things to before I go to bed. These things have pretty much been my life for now. I'll let you infer the rest.

Maren

I wish I had awesome blogging techniques

But I don't!

Happy Spring! I know, it feels like ages since I've updated anyone on any part of my life but here goes:

School is going well. I have decided that attending UW was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I Love Seattle. I love being so close to home. For example, 2 weeks ago I ran up to B-town for a few hours to go to the Optometrist and get a new prescription. Things like that just wouldn't happen if I had decided to go to any of the other schools I had as options. I know that they say that if I had gone to BYU I would have had experiences that are available no where else in the World, but I have come to discover that this is the same anywhere you go... except maybe Pullman... ;)

My classes this quarter are interesting- not my favorite but the subject matter isn't so boring that I have a hard time doing the homework. Saturdays have become my least favorite day because I feel like I have to be oober productive the whole time when really I just want to Play. In contrast, Sunday has become my favorite because naps and letter writing have become a favorite past time. Those things just don't happen on the other days of the week.

There are lots of guys here that I find interesting....one example would be this guy. That was just a shout out to a fellow blogger that cracks me up. And maybe a shameless plug for the hilarity of his blog.

I'm going to be honest, I'm excited to move home for the summer because that means I get to play with my Nephew more. I'm so worried that I'll come home and he'll have forgotten who I am or worse, he won't smile at me anymore. He is getting so big that I will turn around twice and he have a deep voice and a hairy chest... he really has no chance. But it's good that I'm living so close. I really do love that aspect.

I love my ward. Yes, every single's ward has it's quirks but for the most part I feel like ours are endearing. And, as with most wards, I do cringe sometimes, but I still love the overarching affect.

I've been thinking a lot. That has been really good. The end.

Oh, I read my cousin Kristen's blog about that guy at BYU who tried to kidnap the girl he home taught and whatever. WORST FEAR EVER. Also, note to self: Brooklyn Ave is just as scary during the day as at night. I'm not sure why I insist on walking down it everyday. I think it reminds me about how wonderful my street is and it goes right past the grocery store. It's just so convenient. But honestly, what street is really that safe in the U-district? I challenge you to find one, then present your results to me. I will consider your findings.

Let's see... what else is going on... I never see my roommate, which keeps our relationship really good. Do you think that I should aspire to that kind of relationship when I get married? Maybe it will keep our relationship really good... I don't think that's a very good idea, but still, something to ponder on.

oh! I am taking this really AWESOME institute class. 1/2 of the class we discuss talks that were assigned to be read for the week and the other 1/2 a graduate student talks about how his/her research or program or study relates to the Gospel. It has been extremely eye opening and I have thoroughly enjoyed associating with such amazing people. Also, I'm taking a class taught by two grandmothers... so fun!

Not much else is happening. I should be better about updating daily but not much happens every day. I do a lot of school and talk to a lot of people but not much to blog about. I am going up to the BC Temple Dedication next weekend which I am really excited about. In other news, Austin comes home in 6 weeks. Where did time go? I don't know... but speaking of Austin, I better go write him.

That's my boring life for you. It's kind of depressing to be so busy but so boring. Maybe I better create more drama so that life isn't so boring... naww! That's not my style.

love Maren :)

alright alright. so, I'm in trouble

My mom is looking on my blog right now going 'no one's blogging right now....' so I decided to actually give a little update. First off, right now I am on Spring Break and basically my days consist of waking up, eating breakfast, putting on normal clothes and make-up, then running over to Alex and Kristine's and playing with Roberto all day long. He is THE cutest baby ever. Pretty much every time I look at him I get a little smile. It's the best. I've decided that the best age is 6 months because then they really start interacting and stuff... it's the best. You know, life is really good right now. As much as there are things that are annoying and things that I still haven't figured out about life, I really enjoy who I am- and there are things I can change if I don't like...

This quarter went pretty well, I didn't necessarily acquire the grades that I was hoping but I feel like I learned more this quarter than any other quarter in my whole school career. I think that's amazing- grades and test scores really don't reflect who you are; I may be like Alex that way. One of my best friends got engaged this quarter and I had the opportunity to help her fiancé-one of my surrogate brothers-do the proposing. That was a really fun experience. I definitely sat in the bushes for an hour in the rain while we video taped it. I also really had to pee... but don't worry about the fact that it was about Michelle getting engaged-really it's all about me! ;) I'm also ridiculously excited for the opportunity to help with and attend the Vancouver BC Temple Open House and dedication. I can't even express how much I'm excited for it! Here are some construction pictures. I do have to say that it is really nice to be home for a few days. I love my family and I miss being able to have family dinner-not only the good food but actually eating together. My roommate-who is wonderful- starting dating someone so needless to say we don't really see each other. Don't read too much into this- it's totally fine that she is dating someone I love her boyfriend. I'm just saying that it's super nice to eat dinner together and to be able to talk about lots of things and spend time together.

life is good.

A little shout-out

This is a little shout-out to Maggie Brown for supplying me with this wonderful hat that I may entertain myself when no one is around. Unfortunately, it's too warm outside now to wear a wool hat around... :(

Life is good, I am just loving school, realizing how much I am changing, how much everything around me is changing all the time, how much I don't want to be left behind...

Let's see, do I have any funny stories? 34 year old with a 6 year old daughter? That may have been a possibility. You never what kind of awesome friends you'll find at the institute. I went to the Olympics with some friends a few weekends ago. That was pretty much amazing... I haven't laughed that hard in a long time :).. and then I kept laughing all week. Robert is probably the cutest child ever... also Lilster. She makes me happy. The sun was a much needed break from the monotony of the rain here is Seattle (I did not say I didn't like the rain! I just needed a little vitamin D to supplement my supplements ;)). Also, I've decided I love going home because every time I do, I get bribed with Mallard's and movies... what more would make me need to go?

I think that's all the update I have for you. However, I may or may not be going to go see Legally Blonde this weekend...the musical... yeah, I know... it's awesome.

signing off! Hopefully more pictures soon! :)

love Maren :)

The update's of a girl named Maren

so... my life is average. But here are some cool things that I have been up to:

Blackberry pulling game faces... apparently my mother trained me well "Yes, mother I'd love to pull blackberries out of the ground for 4 hours straight"...

Somehow I got put on lunch making for 200 people. Needless to say a spontaneous dance party broke out and Hollis and I got into the 'Swan Princess/ice skating' approach to dancing.

Friday Friendship Feast or F^3 if you like. Since our wonderful Senior missionary couple left, I have been helping out in the kitchen. Anyone want a new full time job at the Seattle Institute?

This is who/what I cook with... and learn with. Bro Knowles at the Barbee!

Institute Olympic games. Hard wood floors. pledge. socks. wicked race around a tape track in the middle of the gym. Need I say more?

1 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts. 60 seconds. How many can you stuff into your mouth with the beat of the music?

Preparing for the Olympic games. If looks could kill.

Basically, I am having a blast. more photos coming. enough procrastinating the calculus homework...the end.

um. feel free to call me. I always want to talk to others. !

Happy New Year!

Well Hello world!

I feel like I have been really responsible this school year about not blogging when I should be doing my homework, this new habit has 1. bored you all out of your mind and 2. allowed me to get semi-good grades and go to bed at a decent hour on school nights. I feel like it's a trade-off I am willing to make.

My new years eve was really fun, I went to a huge regional dance at the Seattle Center under the Space Needle and danced the night away and watched fireworks. It was good. I was able to have a good dinner with some new/old friends and now I this quarter is going to be really busy. I am going to REALLY enjoy my classes, the subject matter will be so interesting however, it will be really crazy and busy all the time. I know that I can accomplish all that I need to... it's just scary. I also know that I will be happy if I follow the Lord's timing, but that's also scary. Sorry that my post is kind of... heavy but that's how I feel when I'm in school. If you want to see pictures of my New Year's activities look here.

Oh, also, the Fireside tonight by Elder Neil L. Anderson was AMAZING. Talk about motivation.

well, good night!

love Maren :)