What am I doing up?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's actually quite ridiculous that I'm awake right now. I've been working 60 hours a week for the past 7 weeks with every Saturday an 8 hour shift and then a quick get-a-way to another venue to finally get to play. This Saturday was a little different. Instead of an 8 hour shift, I worked 10 (don't ask why, I don't know either) and then Mom picked me up and we went shopping so I could spend more money on clothes for the rest of the summer and for school. Yaay! The verdict? I don't know how much money I spent this last week but it was fun and a little painful on the checkbook but necessary. So, no more purchases for a while...at least the next two weeks. But I did end up with a whole ton of new fun shoes, shirts and a few other necessities. But mostly it was a normal Saturday. And in the end even though I have spent the entire last week working, I am still awake... I must be crazy!

So, have you ever noticed that the hardest times to go through are the times that you learn/change/grow the most? And then it's hard to see the progress because you are in the middle of it all but as you look back you realize how much you changed and grew. I can't really believe how much the last 7 weeks has taught me. It seems a little counter-intuitive to have learned more (at least that I see) when I'm out of school than when I'm in school. And even if that thing you've been working so hard for doesn't actually come your way, somehow it doesn't matter because you realize how much you learned in the process of working towards it. Anyways... I know I'm being vague, I enjoy being vague... I feel like I can throw people off my scent if I'm vague... Not that there's much to 'scent', but still. I better hit the hay, cause it's comin real hard!

Maren

p.s. you know it's a good day when your supervisor gives you bubbles in the office and tells you that it's ok to blow them in the office... it's been a good day. :)

Linear Reality

It's going away.

From now on, expect the unexpected. Do I have any idea how I'm going to break this pattern? nope. But it will happen.

but for now, bedtime. Girl's gotta get some sleep before she changes her decision making paradigm.

sleep well.

Weeeell.

Ok. so maybe I didn't ever get back to my blogging career but I'm going to try and give an update now before institute. I have been working 60 hours a week which will be good when it comes time to pay for school and living again. When you work that many hours you get real close to your co-workers and it has been SO fun. I also start work at 5:30, A. M. so, things get real crazy about 2 pm. I also have a co-worker who has decided it's fun to 'call' me on his phone, I don't have a phone but he expects me to answer back on my finger phone. It's really fun and distracting and sometimes I ignore him. Actually most time I try to ignore him. I want to work hard.

Next: Austin and Rhea are officially engaged. That throws a new dimension to this whole summer and the family. So when I'm not working we are trying to get the yard all prepped for Guess what?! Yep, you guessed it: the reception! So that's been really good.

So. that's really all I can think of, I know, that's lame but life has been busy. It's mostly busy with little day-to-day things which is why there isn't really anything to report. So I hope you all have a Happy 4th of July! DO NOT blow any parts of your body off with firecrackers, that is not acceptable. so talk to you later!

maren:)

Things I have learned this School year:

1. Freshman 15 (+or-5lbs) IS NOT A MYTH.

2. There is life after love

3. Seattle has lot's of hidden one-way streets

4. There are lots of things to do that don't have anything to do with Movies

5. If you buy more underwear, you do less laundry

6. Matthew McConaughey apparently never has a shirt on

7. After 18 years of singing Soprano, I am an Alto (according to UW specialists)

8. Bellingham is NOT very far from Seattle

9. Hulu is an EXCELLENT way to not do homework

10. Giggling by myself is one of my FAVORITE pastimes

11. I can successfully live by myself

12. Everyone should have a spork, a true love and an electric blanket

13. Seattle in the Spring is not the same as Seattle in the Winter (although it sometimes threatens) and I love it

14. There are lot's of things that you must learn on your own... unfortunately

15. I love babies (mostly)

16. The Lord makes all things work together for your good and you have to just trust that as you listen to the Spirit that the timing will be right and that you will survive. I know.

Ok. ok. there are billions of other things but my autosave is not working so I'm going to have to post it and think about these things some more.

For now... goodbye. The end. (but not)

Say it like you mean it

i really have no idea where that title came from, but it came so there you have it. whatever it is that you have been trying to say, do it and do it with conviction. or to put another spin on it, say what you really mean not what you think others would like. although, let me remind you that if it isn't nice or in the spirit of love/correction, maybe just keep it to yourself.

that is all.

and no, I haven't had any recent experiences that would spur this thought, it was just a thought, a proverb if you will. A Maren Proverb.

maren

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