Ring in the New

It has been a wonderful Christmas break with my family and friends. I couldn't ask for a better break from school and work. In fact, I kind of don't want to go back next week.

I know I can't include everything I've done over the past few weeks, but I'll just show some highlights!

Christmas Choral Concerts

Singing in a choir at Christmas time is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season.

Bangs!

I decided to try something bold this Christmas break. I've got a brand new life ahead of me this year as I graduate, so I thought I'd kick off the new year with a new look. 

Family Parties

The best part of Christmas time is being together with family. A Christmas party is never complete without a good Nativity reenactment and singing!

Children

My Mother always says that Christmas is for Children. I couldn't ask for any better kids to spend Christmas with...we'll be welcoming two more this year :)

Lights, Sweaters, Santa, and Food

  

Alex's Birthday, Movies, Games, and New Year

 I saw a lot of good movies both at home and in theaters this break. "Les Miserables," "The Hobbit," etc. were all fabulous! New Years always includes lots of games, but this year I also got to go to a dance at the U of U Institue. I'm not much for raucous partying, but dancing is one of my favorite things.

Happy 6th Birthday Alex!

Ring in 2013!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! I hope your holiday season was as wonderful as mine. I'm sure you'll be seeing a new year's resolution post from me soon...if  I can get my act together enough to make some resolutions... :)

Christmas comes again...

It's amazing how the year flies by. 

I remember feeling like Christmas was always so far away when I was a kid, and now it sneak attacks me every time. 

Finals have come and gone again. And just like all the years before, I somehow find out I have more time than I think and that i'm better prepared than I realized. My roommate put this quote from Winnie the Pooh on our white board this week...

Promise me you'll always remember: You're BRAVER than you believe, and STRONGER than you seem, and SMARTER than you think 

However, I feel like this finals week over almost any other has really reiterated to me that people are always more important than papers and tests. Maybe it is because I am growing up and getting closer to graduating, but I was more willing to spend time being with friends who needed me than I was willing to lock myself up at my desk. Even if I didn't get a great grade on these tests (which I still hope I did), I don't think i'll ever look back and wish I would have studied more instead of taking time to care for someone or myself for that matter. 

And I feel like Christ would feel the same way. He was the epitome of focusing on people and relationships even when there was work and scheduled appointments. Isn't this time of year all about being more Christlike after all? 

I hope you spend some time this season with the people you love! 

The End of the Rainbow

Dear Blog,
I am sorry that I have ignored you this past little while. Life just passes by so quickly these days. Two holidays have come and gone - And I didn't even get to write a "Thankful" blog post. I can't believe I am already heading into finals next week. Finals are draining and sometimes I wish I could just take the Ostrich approach and stick my head in the ground, hide, and wait until Finals week passes. But, alas - I will take these tests and papers head on knowing that no matter what happens...I will be home with my family in a week preparing for Christmas to arrive.

I need to keep studying, but I thought I'd just share a special picture or two from a few weeks ago. It was a rainy day, and as I looked out my balcony - I noticed a beautiful rainbow.

You'll never guess what I found at the end of that rainbow!

They say there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but I think what I found is much more precious

Here's to Rainbows, symbols of a covenant, reminding us of the covenants made in the Temple (my own pot of Gold)

See you after Finals!

Delicious Autumn

I've realized that each Autumn I dedicate one blog post to the absolute bliss of autumn, so here's another one..

 I REALLY LOVE AUTUMN! 

Today was a rainy day and as far as the eye could see - were beautiful mountains covered in red leaves and misty clouds. 

I found my happy. I rediscovered my joy. It was genuine admiration over the beauty of fall. 

Welcome Autumn - and Welcome back joy! 

Bridal Veil Falls

 Besides the beautiful leaves, Autumn is Delicious. I love harvesting my garden full of Zucchini and I especially loved picking apples from the apple tree this year. Grace desperately wanted to bake an apple pie, so we did. mmmmmmm....homemade, fresh apple pie

Zucchini Pizza bites 

Gracie girl picking apples

"Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive Autumns" - George Elliot

Getting Down in P-Town

My life in Provo is pretty normal.
I read a lot - literary theory and the bible mostly, and I sing a lot. Did I mention that I am in BYU's Women's Chorus? It's a fairly new development, but I am loving it. Between that and my own personal vocal study, my chords are getting quite the workout.
When I am not doing these things...

I Work. I am starting my second year with BYU's International Study Programs. It's the best because I get to help students who are excited to travel and learn. This time of year brings the ISP fair which means I run around and make tons of copies of fliers, order balloon arches, pass out candy, answer questions and various other exciting tasks.

I was super proud of my balloon arch (and decided to take a part home )

I Zumba / Cook. I try to Zumba at least twice a week in order to release tension and probably mostly to be able to eat all the foods I love to cook. Cooking and Dancing are my ways to release stress. The stress reliever of this month? Fresh Peach Pie!! Yum.

I Enjoy the View
I mentioned in an earlier post the beautiful view from my apartment balcony. So here's a visual. I love being able to see the temple shining through the trees at night and the beautiful mountains dressed in fall leaves during the day.

Welcome to my typical day in P-town!

Calm before a Storm

Oh Hello Blog...it's been a while hasn't it? It's finally arrived - my last year of school. Not just my last year at my University, but possibly my last year ever. I can't remember not being in school, so something about this just doesn't feel right. You know what else doesn't feel right - my complete lack of fear and worry regarding the fact that I really have no idea where I am going to be in a year from now.

GRADUATE SCHOOL? I never grew up thinking I would go to Grad School, but why not? I like school and I can push myself to work really hard. Graduate School is a possibility, but one that is slipping every day I get closer to the dreaded application deadlines. GRE studying is way on the back burner, not to mention I have no idea what I'd want to study in Grad School (which I hear is kind of an important part of applying). You want me to just choose one specific thing? Are you crazy? The idea of taking a year off is sounding more pleasing each passing day.

MARRIED? You know, I had a beautiful summer....but now it is Fall and just like the leaves, everything changes. Suddenly, I find myself envying the couples around campus and missing the joy of caring about someone. I can't foresee any immediate change to this current lonely situation. Sure, I am hoping for some good first dates to come along, but I just can't imagine being in love again for a while. Healing takes time, and let's face it...I'm not one to jump into anything fast. Since I have an "all seasons and a trip" rule for myself, I would seriously need to meet the man I am supposedly marrying next year in the next few months in order to be able to spend a year with him before we get married. But really, I am only 21 and there is no rush to bind myself with a ring.

TRAVELING AND TAKING SOME TIME FOR ME? Boy, doesn't this sound nice? I've always wanted to audition to be in some community theater shows, but I never have time because of school. Maybe, I could actually do some of these things I've always wanted to try, but never had time! Why not travel around and get some good life experience before I am tied down to a job that doesn't offer summer breaks? I'll tell you one good reason why not...money and the fact that I am an adult now and need to grow up and face the music. (However dissident it may sound).

INTERNSHIP/ JOB / APPLYING TO GRAD SCHOOL? I suppose this is probably the most reasonable option. Working experience is good for Grad school applications right? Maybe as I try out a few jobs, I'll get a better idea of what I really want to focus on in my graduate work. Wouldn't a year long Paid Internship at the National Gallery of Art be divine? I think so, that is why I am applying...but I really have no hopes of getting hired. (But, it is always worth a shot right?)

There are a lot of things I don't know right now and that should probably scare me, but for some reason I am surprisingly calm. I guess my optimism that things will work out and fall into place is going to win out for right now. With all these variables, my life could really go multiple ways right now. I don't feel in control...and that scares me. BUT - there are many things I do know.

I know that my family is always going to have my back no matter what
I know that this semester is going to be difficult, but so rewarding in the end
I know that the view from my Apartment window is gorgeous 
I know that I love Fall
I know that I will at least be somewhere this time next year and that I am determined to be happy wherever that somewhere is. 
I know my friends stand by me and will continue to do so
I know I am capable of great things and should steer away from comparing myself to my academic competition all the time. 
I know that no matter how stormy my mind and my life get, Jesus Christ is a solid anchor. 

I know who I am, I know where I came from, and I know where I want to end up...I just don't know how I am going to go about getting there. But, maybe that is the fun part. So here's to a fun last year full of decisions and surprises! Welcome aboard...it's going to be great!

Fresh Veggies are Best

Remember my vegetable garden that I started this summer? Well, it has exploded with plump red tomatoes, large green zucchini, and fragrant basil leaves. There's nothing better than cooking with fresh veggies and fresh herbs. 

A fresh Green pepper from the garden with a turkey burger

Everyday I walk out and survey my garden. It's amazing how things grow so quickly and even though I know I don't do much to help the photosynthesis do its job, I somehow have this proud feeling that I, Jenny, am creating and raising vegetables. 

My beautiful Zucchini 

Tonight I made a homemade pizza crust and topped it with my fresh tomatoes, Zucchini, and Basil. Here's how it turned out. It tastes even better than it looks. 

So here's to delicious veggies and the fun I've had raising them!